Posted by Jerry Silverman on March 08, 1999 at 01:11:15:
In Reply to: Re: Would you buy a rug on the Internet? posted by Michael Wendorf on March 07, 1999 at 15:46:14:
: Katharine:
: Your use of EBay sounds very responsible. It did not exist when I started down the collecting road. Your post got me thinking about how it might have changed had EBay been there. It does provide a spectrum although I do not think the spectrum is as huge as you might think. Mostly, I see low end and some middle market material, One thing you write I agree with completely, you have to start buying as part of one's rug tuition. I have usually learned at least as much from owning a rug as any thing else. Certainly it has taught me a few lessons about what a rug is worth.
: I also admire the joy your rugs are bringing you and hope it continues. Collecting often devolves into a competition with too many collectors dwelingl on what they have and do not have. Ultimately, enjoying what you have and the process of allowing yourself to evolve and find your niche is priceless. I am reassured that you have found some responsible dealers who have earned your trust and await your "Novice Collection" post. Have fun. Michael
:
Michael makes an interesting point here that brings us back to the Salon topic: The Internet is providing a new point-of-entry for the novice collector. Katharine's experience is exactly what is possible now. She has begun her education with traditional methods and has started her collecting with this new marketplace. Anyone with a library nearby can do the same. (Actually, you don't even need a library. Just run a search on Amazon.com for books with the word "rug" or "carpet" in the title and the books can be sent to your door - or check out one of the specialist rug book dealer's web sites.)
I've often wondered how a person who lived far from a rug dealer could ever foster an interest in rugs. Even some major cities offer surprisingly few choices. (Last time I looked New Orleans had only one. Des Moines had none. Santa Fe had too many.)
How long will it be before dealers have their entire inventories on-line and available for shipping on approval to interested customers world-wide? Not very long, in my estimation.
Cordially,
-Jerry-