Quote:
Originally posted by tabs
In So CAl there is a group of about a dozen Persian Rug Dealers I call the Mafia, they have one guy do all the biding so that they don't compete among themselves. I call him the Prince since he acts like royalty and is quiet a character. He will bid stuff up just for spite.
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Agreed. And most of the auctions are rigged. Don't believe for a second that this is really a "customs liquidation" or some such thing. That's all BS.
There are so many scams associated with the sale of Persian carpets - that all I can say is stay away from this if you don't know what you are doing.
The very best place to buy Persian carpets is the gulf - Dubai etc. For many Iranian emigres carpets are used like cash - they purchase them in-country and then sell them in the gulf for foreign currency. If you are buying high-end pieces this is really the best place.
As tabs points, antique carpets (organic dyes that have faded nicely) command a serious premium - but even that "faded organic dye look" is now being faked so you better know what you are doung when you're paying big money for one of these things.