We really got screwed on our RS tour when we stopped the bus for a tour of Yuksel Turkish rugs. Very educational prelude showing us where silk comes from, how they wind it up and showing how women were busily knotting the silk thread as they created new masterpieces. Then in the main room, they plied us with whatever alcohol and/or coffee we wanted as they made a great exhibition of throwing out one beautiful rug on another. After quite a while the merchants invited us to look at all, walk on them, ask any questions and that we could talk to them if we were interested in purchasing one. My husband and I wanted to buy three and thought of this as something valuable that our children would inherit and cherish. With that information, they took us to a private room and showed us whatever we thought we would like. It was truly overwhelming, and I loved all of them. They threw one before us that took my breath away, and coincidentally someone came into the room saying the bus was rounding up people for leaving. So our salesman said if we took this beautiful one for $X he would include to the two others we were eying for free. Heavily implying that the one we saw last was extraordinarily special and valuable. And we spent five figures on three rugs. It makes me sick to type that out. When the rugs arrived at our home, we took them to be appraised for insurance purposes. Unfortunately, my husband mentioned how much we paid to the appraiser before he could share his valuation. The appraiser said something to the effect of: think of them as a good memory of a pleasant trip to Turkey. He implied that without testing, he would think these were ‘Turkish silk’ a nice way of saying probably not pure silk but perhaps with some rayon. He pointed out the fringe was added layer which we were too stupid to notice. By now I have seen so many posts on so many platforms about what a rip off for this is. These rugs are a memory, but horrible one. Do your research, go into shops to price before the bus takes you to the performance. No, they have not responded to any of our inquiries. The rest of the 13 day trip was outstanding.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
9438 posts
It is pretty dazzling when they are throwing out those magnificent rugs. I can understand how you might have been carried away in the moment. I think if someone is truly interested in purchasing rugs in Turkey, and there are some beautiful rugs there, plan a day or two before or after your tour and work with a specialist. A short rug demo time does put extra pressure on a person as you described.
Posted by
3657 posts
I would have mistakenly assumed that an RS tour stop for Turkish rugs would not turn out to be a rip off. I hope you let the RS office know of their perfidy.
Posted by
Palmetto State USA
57 posts
Having been on the same tour, experienced the same presentation and having bought two rugs, I can totally relate to the OP on the intensity of the process.... However, for us, we never felt anything was misrepresented or we didn't receive a quality product. No buyers remorse. Of the 11 RS Tours we have taken, and all the experiences, that was one of the most memorable. Yes, we dropped a pretty penny on the rugs, but they are beautiful and will always remind us of Turkey. And our dog likes them as well, especially when she has an upset stomach!
Posted by
Atlanta, GA, USA
2948 posts
Yeah, honestly, you can’t blame the Rick Steve tour for this. It’s going to happen anywhere in Turkey. If you don’t know what you’re doing on these rugs don’t buy them. I have two beautiful rugs in my house. They were bought by my grandparents who did a tremendous amount of research, etc., before they bought
These are worth some money, but I would never buy more because I don’t have a clue about rugs
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12687 posts
Do your research, go into shops....
Preferably before you leave home so you know what you are buying, how to tell the differences, or know what questions to ask so you know what you are getting, especially if you plan to spend 'a 5 digit' amount.
Did they do a 'switcheroo' and not send the rug you were looking at, or was the material misrepresented and not what you wanted/expected?
What does a test cost to determine the fabric material? If your purchase order describes it as 'silk' and the testing finds something else, then communicating that to the RS office that the rug vendor is engaging in dishonest sales, hopefully would get RS to find a different vendor to provide the "rug' experience, or at least prompt them to have the guide provide a warning to be VERY careful when making a purchase.
Sorry what you got was not what you expected.
Posted by
NC, USA
48 posts
I am sad for you. It is good you can separate that experience from the rest of the tour though. I admire that you are not letting that cloud the memories of the whole trip.
While on the RSE tour last year, a large percentage of our group bought one or more rugs after the demonstration. We were not in the market and politely declined the sales pitch following the demo. We had to say "no, thank you" to at least four salespeople but they finally left us alone. We enjoyed the history/science/demo part, just had no interest in purchasing.
On a positive note, one couple in our group purchased two very expensive (their words) rugs in the excitement/frenzy then had serious buyer's remorse a couple of days later. Our RSE guide worked with them and the rug dealer to get their order cancelled and their money back. It all worked out to their satisfaction, thankfully.
Posted by
Singapore
885 posts
Sorry this happened to you. We have just returned from Istanbul, and yes, we bought a rug. We have a couple of similar rugs at home (Persian rather than Turkish) bought at auction locally, so we had some idea how much we should pay, and that helped set a budget. In bargaining we had that end budget in mind, and ignored the whole "You can't get this anywhere else" line, because you can.
We visited about 20-25 rugs stores, and (as someone who is in sales) I really enjoyed the whole process. It is a joy to watch such fantastic salespeople. We ended up with something we really liked for USD600. And we took it back with us rather than have it shipped.
I can't think of a single shop where I feel we were misled. We wanted (and bought) a wool carpet, and that's what we got. Whenever the term 'silk' was used, it was always 'bamboo silk', which is not actually silk.
Sorry I turned out bad for you though, but glad you enjoyed the rest of the trip - it is an amazing country! Hopefully your other memories are happy ones.
Posted by
Toronto, Canada
43 posts
Sorry about this experience, I wasn't on a Rick Steves tour but a group excursion from Izmir to Ephesus on my cruise two years ago and also got the carpet pitch and also a porcelain pitch. The rugs are stunning and the tea and sweet breads are yummy but my parents and I held firm. Perhaps because we went through similar experiences in Chinese group tours where sales people are way more aggressive and heard about other experiences where tour guide forces you to get something otherwise can't leave the place. Compared to those, I think the pitches are nicer and not as aggressive. OP sorry though you didn't feel you got what you paid for, could you contact the tour guide and see if they can get in touch with rug shop owner?
Posted by
L'Occitanie, France
11185 posts
We were overwhelmed by all the beautiful choices of rugs, so we just stood up to leave. End of pitch.
As for not being able to leave, that happened to us on a US Native American reservation going to see ancient petroglyphs: the guide took us to his friend who makes jewellery in the middle of nowhere. Nobody would budge until I bought something. So I did.