|
Quality |
Uniqueness |
Service |
Low Prices |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Persian Rug prices
UPDATED 8/10/09
Update: 8/10/09
Same old thing, different day!!
Had already got a e-mails from folks wanting to know what is
happening with the rug prices in 2009, so here it goes.
I spend a couple of weeks overseas in July and the bottom line is
that the prices have come down a bit compared to 2008, but not as
much as I had expected. With the global recession taking a big bite
out of the rug industry, I had every expectation to see a big price
drop, which has not happened thanks to a slowdown in the rug
production. There are simply a lot less rugs being made (especially
the high end ones) and even though the demand has dropped off
significantly, the economic and political situation in Iran does not
allow for the big drop in prices. The prices have dropped about
10-15% in the last year, but that is mainly due to the rise in the
US dollar.
Take care,
Mike
Update: 12/1/08
Finally, some good news!!
Once again, I want to share with you my latest findings after
returning from my trip overseas.
Since 2003, the prices of Persian rugs have more than doubled and
there is finally some good news to report, which I have been hoping
for some time now. With the current global economies fallen of
the cliffs, our US dollar seems to have come back to life,
which has had a direct impact on the prices of Persian rugs.
For the first time in 5 years, I have been able to lower my prices
by around 15% and I am hopeful that this trend will not reverse.
Please note though that the lower
prices are mainly due to the rise in the US dollar and not the
slowdown in the varies economies. Even though the Persian rug
market as a whole has slowed down, so has the rug production in Iran
and their inflation of around 25% is still keeping up the prices.
My plan is to travel overseas again in 4 months and by then I should
have a better picture of whether the price reduction is temporary or
permanent.
Take care,
Mike
Update: 1/7/08
One word sums it all up: UGLY!!!
Got back from my trip a couple of days and as always, I'm completely jet-lagged.
Last year, I thought I had seen it all and once again I have been completely
wrong about the prices of the high quality Persian rugs, especially the Tabriz
and Qom pieces. In 2007, the Tabriz and Qom rugs have gone up in price about
30%, yes, that is 30%. Nain and Isfahan rugs have gone up about 10%. The main
problem continues to be the high inflation in Iran, officially at 15% but in
reality closer to 25%, and the continued weakness of our US dollar.
The prices in Tabriz and Qom are
going up higher simply because more and more folks are giving up the
rug business altogether. In places like Khoj, which is a small
village where the Mahi (fish) design Tabriz rugs are made, the
production is now about half of what it was just 5 years ago and as
a result, the prices are just shooting up. The same is happening in
Qom as well. Prices in Nain and Isfahan are going up, but due
to their traditional designs, there are still plenty of rugs to
choose from, and therefor the prices will not climb as quickly.
My goal was to purchase about
30-40 rugs and I only ended up with 17 instead. I will be going
overseas again in a few months and will update you again as soon as
I return. Take a look at the 3 Tabriz rugs further down and you can
see how the prices have changed.
Below is an much more detailed article about the overall situation and I will
update this page again after my next trip.
Take care,
Mike
Update: 4/17/07
Got back from my trip overseas last week and
just recovered from a bad case of a cold and jet-lag. The price of Persian rugs
is still going up and it appears that the inflation rate in Iran is stabilizing
at around 15%, but the weak dollar is having a huge impact as it has for last 3
years. As of mid April, the US dollar is approaching a new record low against
the Euro and it is already at a 15 year low against the English Pound and many
other currency. Do not expect any relief any time soon.
Below is an much more detailed article about the overall situation and I will
update this page again after my next trip.
Take care,
Mike