Why do handmade carpets have some imperfections?
Handmade carpets have imperfections since they are handmade, and this adds to the value, interest and characteristic of the carpet. In nomadic carpets, most variations are not intentional, but simply due to the fact that it is much harder for nomadic weavers to manufacture the carpets, than it is for workshop weavers. The looms used in rural areas are usually very basic horizontal looms placed on the floor, which makes it much more difficult to knot a perfectly symmetrical rug.
Are your carpets manufactured using child labour?
We have buyers who continuously visit and inspect the villages, workshops and resident nomads where some of our carpets are produced. They monitor the production of these carpets and also check the working conditions and that no children are involved in the production. It had previously been common that child labour was part of the culture in the making of hand knotted carpets, but this has since changed over the years due to the pressure and awareness that has been raised on the issue of child labour worldwide.
Bargain (seconds)?
Bargain carpets are as a rule not second hand or used (as older carpets, semi-antique and antique carpets that are 25 years old and older can be). Most often the carpet has been worn due to brushing or harsh washing. When washing, the yarn can bleed colour on the fringes if the washing is not carried out in the correct way. Please read more at:
http://www.carpetencyclopedia.com/pages/Manufacturing/Post_treatment-251.html
The carpets are fully usable but they have a few minor flaws. The flaws concern colour bleeding, slight wear, improper abrashes, abnormally uneven edges or yarn and colour quality which by CarpetVista standards are not considered to be sufficiently good for these carpets to be included in the normal range. The carpets are sold in their existing condition and the faults they have are mentioned in the fault description.
The majority of faults can be put right or mended if desired. It is not economically tenable for us to put these faults right so we are instead selling these carpets at strongly reduced prices. There are some customers who choose to repair the carpets themselves or who consider that slight wear and colour-bleeding does not mean anything if, for example, the damaged part is covered with a piece of furniture. In many cases the damage is only visible upon closer inspection and you notice nothing if you do not look for it. In shops or at auctions this type of carpets are sold without problem, but they do not suit CarpetVista’s high quality policy!
Purchasing
How do I search and purchase a carpet from your website?
To search for a carpet you first look up and select the carpet you want to buy. Click on the carpet for more detailed information. On the right-hand you will see the price of the carpet. If the carpet is not sold or reserved, there is a button under the price with the text: “Buy”. When you click the link, the carpet will be placed in your shopping cart and this is shown on the top left-hand side of the website. The same procedure can be repeated as indicated above to add several carpets to your shopping cart.
The next step is to go to the checkout counter. You do this by clicking on the link "Proceed to Checkout" that is visible under the carpets in your shopping cart.
The final step is to choose your payment method. You can pay with a credit card or by bank transfer. Click on the alternative you wish to use and follow the instructions given.