| Subject | : | Collectors/Dealers |
| Author | : | Marilyn Langhurst mailto:%20galmal@home.com |
| Date | : | 10-29-2001 on 06:00 a.m. |
| I have been collecting only 3 years, but I am quite serious in my
pursuit. I have purchased rugs from a few of the more visible members of
the ACOR/ICOR circle. I am also an antique dealer and professor. Based on
the aforementioned factors, I look for dealers who are knowledgeable,
honest and charge a fair price. As an educator I admire people who are willing to share their knowledge and admit it when they do not know something (the latter is particularly refreshing). Two of the three dealers I have dealt with were most generous with there time and expertise. One of the three, unfortunately, exaggerated quite a bit and was arrogant. It seems to me that the best dealers, like the best scholars, are those who approach the subject with humility. Yet one can be knowledgable without being honest. I think I struggle most in identifying dyes and determining the overall age of rugs (yes, I know the two are related). Thus, until I learn more, I must put my trust in the word of the seller. This leap of faith can and has cost me finacially in my dealings with one dealer. I might add that my errors in judgment did not do much for my confidence. Following that fiasco, I was very hesitant to buy any textile for several months. As a final point, I am willing to pay a fair price. I am, as I said, an antique dealer-- and I know dealers need to make a profit (just like any other business person). I don't expect "a steal." In general I love a bargin. However, with good rugs I am content to pay a full, reasonable price. Good dealers, in turn, should seek a respectable profit, not a "killing." |
| Subject | : | Re:Collectors/Dealers |
| Author | : | Steve Price mailto:%20sprice@hsc.vcu.edu |
| Date | : | 10-29-2001 on 09:00 a.m. |
| Hi Marilyn,
You touch several significant points in the account of your experiences with three dealers. One is now off your list of possible repeats. He/she sold you one rug, and as a result of his actions and attitude will never sell you another one. Nor will he/she sell one to anyone who seeks your advice. Such a dealer, in order to succeed, needs a very large and constantly renewed base of potential customers. I'd guess that this is not someone who has had a shop in the same city for many, many years, serving a significant repeat clientele. The other two, clearly, are prepared to cultivate their potential clients. They probably have a number of "regulars", and probably get a significant amount of business through referrals. It's a very different business model than the one the first dealer uses. I know of one dealer who will not sell anything to a novice until the newcomer has undergone what I assume to be a relatively informal, but scheduled, series of educational seminars on rugs. I greatly admire his approach, and often recommend novices to his care. He doesn't play on their greed, but when they buy from him they know a bit about what they are buying and they get what they think they're getting. Regards, Steve Price |
| Subject | : | Re:Collectors/Dealers |
| Author | : | Marvin Amstey mailto:%20mamstey1@rochester.rr.com |
| Date | : | 10-29-2001 on 10:14 a.m. |
| Dear Marilyn, Don't feel too bad about the interaction with the "bad dealer". It's happened to everyone who posts on this board; I usually refer to this kind of interaction as part of the education. One learns from one's mistakes; call it "tuition". Regards, Marvin |