Ø
The media attention should create
renewed interest in Oriental rugs in general. Turn that to your advantage
and get some press coverage for your store as local angles are pursued.
Ø
A brief spike in the availability
of Persian rugs will temporarily disrupt the market as existing smuggled
rugs come out of hiding and truckloads of rugs roll in from Canada.
Ø
As normalization occurs, Persian
rugs will have to compete with other hand-knotted rugs from countries that
have firmly established rug production.
Ø
Quality, production reliability,
and price will be key issues for Persian rugs to match up to what is now a
world market.
Ø
The issue of import duty has yet
to be addressed; a 45% duty, as is the case with Afghanistan imports,
would make Persian rugs difficult to compete with Indian, Pakistani and
Chinese rugs at less than 5% duty.
Ø
American importers with Oriental
rug production experience prior to the embargo will have an advantage in
reestablishing business
What does the
lifting of the embargo mean for consumers?
Ø
They should shop at local
reputable stores who can show them a selection of rugs from a variety of
countries. Avoid the itinerant auctions or weekend shows.
Ø
Persian rugs are currently
produced in color pallets and sizes more suited to European homes. Until
new production is in the distribution stream, expect the selection to be
limited for the American market.
Ø
Even when Persian rugs are
available in quantity do not expect to see a wide variety of sizes of the
same pattern. Iran is not noted for special order programming.
Ø
Consumers should be careful to
select Persian rugs with stable dyes. Dealers with cleaning facilities are
often the most careful about dye stability in rugs.
Ø
Prices will be unstable as the
market adjusts to the availability of Persian rugs. It may be prudent to
comparison shop Persian design from countries other than the Islamic
Republic of Iran when making major purchase.
Ø
Older more collectible Persian
rugs should be more available as inventory from Europe can now be shipped
into the U.S. without a license.
