Oriental Carpet Brokers

Are all your carpets handmade?

Yes, all carpets offered on our site are guaranteed as being 100% handmade, unless specifically stated otherwise in their description. Similarly, unless otherwise described, all our carpets are knotted or woven by hand in the traditional origins of the Orient - Persia, the Caucasus, Central Asia, Afghanistan, the Indian sub-continent and China.

Do your carpet measurements include the fringes?

No they don’t - we measure the knotted pile or woven area of the carpet only, so the length measurements do not include the end fringes. You should take this into account if looking for a carpet to fit a certain area in your home, especially if the carpet you choose has especially long fringes at one or both ends.

When should I use a felt underlay?

We strongly advise you to use felt underlay with carpets of thin or short pile, especially carpets with silk pile, as this holds the carpet in place and prevents slippage, which might damage the carpet over time. Felt underlay also cushions the carpet against the threats of human traffic and thus helps prolong its life-span. We can provide high quality felt underlay cut to exactly the size your require for your carpets - please request this by using our enquiry form and be sure to give the sizes of the carpets for which felt underlays are required.

How accurate are the carpet photographs you use on this website, especially in terms of colour reproduction?

All our carpet photos are professionally taken using a high resolution digital camera in optimal lighting conditions. Each carpet photo is then cropped to remove any distracting background and if necessary adjusted using a well-known image editing program to ensure the photo colours reflect as closely as possible the colours of the actual carpet. The accuracy of the colours as viewed by you depends a great deal upon the resolution, type and age of your computer monitor and on your computer’s video processing capabilities, which are obviously factors beyond or control.

Why are handmade Oriental carpets sometimes not straight, or have irregularities in their designs?

The very fact that Oriental carpets are created entirely by hand results in virtually every one displaying certain signs of this human input, in contrast to the soulless perfection of machine-made items. It is in many ways these deviations from a rigid mechanical smyettry which give handmade carpets their unique appeal and collectable value. However there are degrees of variation that may be expected (and usually prized) within the different types of Oriental carpet.

In the sophisticated examples crafted in town workshops such as those of Kashan, Tabriz, Isfahan, Qum etc., where the weavers work from a carefully drawn design "cartoon", the variations integral to the human knotting process are extremely subtle - such as a rosette at one end of the carpet being realised with imaginative variations at the opposing end - and are often intentionally introduced by the master weaver responsible. In general, such workshop carpets may be expected to lie flat, with straight edges, and display even colour and carefully composed designs throughout.

Rugs knotted in the villages and by the nomadic tribes of the East are another matter. Such examples are created without the aid of any design chart, with patterns and colours being recalled entirely from the folk memories of the weavers involved - it is the evidence of their imaginative re-workings of these ancient cultural memories which make their rugs so evocative and original. Such rural and nomadic weavers also knot their rugs on simple primitive looms, either in the dark interior of a hot or in the searing desert sun - both environments make it difficult to knot a flawless design or a perfectly rectangular format. So apparently random design ornaments and even slightly crooked edges have come to be sought-after attributes of authentic peasant and tribal weavings. The only irregularity of these or any handmade carpets which may be considered a ‘fault’ is if they do not lie flat on the floor - fortunately this is rarely encountered and can moreover be corrected by a professional carpet repairer.

Some carpets have variations or changes of colour - is this a problem?

Such variations of colour, usually found in bands across the width of a carpet, are not in any way a fault - on the contrary these colour changes are considered by collectors and decorators to add to an item’s character. In the producing countries, this change of colour is known as an abrash.Such abrash colour variations are generally found in nomadic and some village carpets, and it occurs when a weaver uses yarn dyed in a slighly different way, or dyed under different conditions, from the yarn used until then - the almost random variations within a single shade which occur because of this are one of the main reasons for the uniquely beautiful appearance of handmade carpets, for their indefinable magic. So colour abrash almost always adds character and individuality to a handmade carpet and serves to remind us of exotic environments in which nomadic and peasant carpets are knotted.

Are any of your carpets made using child labour?

We are founder members of CLEWS - the Child Labour Eradication & Welfare Society of India - one of the leading organisations fighting against the use of child labour in the Indian sub-continent. We constantly monitor conditions in the workshops and villages throughout the producing countries where our carpets are made to ensure that no children are ever used in the production process. In recent years the use of child labour in the carpet knotting cultures of the east has substantially diminished as a result of pressure from western importers, inspections by committed local organisations and the criticism and awareness that has been raised on the issue of child labour worldwide. Oriental Carpet Brokers Ltd are actively involved in several schemes and initiatives dedicated to the eradication of child labour in the manufacture of handmade Oriental carpets.

Questions about purchasing carpets

How do I find the carpet I am looking for on your site?

To search for a carpet you first look up and select the carpet you want to buy from our main Carpets Gallery page, or from one of the category, age, price etc search options accessed from the navigation sidebars. Basic details of each item, including price and size, are provided on all our listing pages.

How do I purchase the carpet I want?

Our Shopping Cart process:

• Click on the image of any carpet you like for more detailed information. If the carpet is not sold or reserved, you will see a button below the photograph of the carpet on a detail page with the text: "Add to Cart". When you click the button, you will be taken to the Shopping Cart page where the carpet you selected is detailed with its price and other details.
• To add further items to your order, click the 'Continue Shopping' link beneath your Shopping Cart listing and repeat the above search & selection process.
  • Item(s) already added to your Shopping Cart can be seen in the small shopping cart box at the top of the left side navigation column - this also contains a link back to the Shopping Cart itself.
  • You can repeat this procedure as many times as you want if you wish to buy a number of carpets.
  • The 'Add to Cart' button can be also be seen for all available items in the various age, origin, size, price category search listings accessible from the sidebars on most pages.
• When you are happy with your order, go to your Shopping Cart ( if necessary, by clicking the 'Go to Shopping Cart' link at the bottom of your 'mini' shopping cart in left column) and, after checking details of your order, click the 'Proceed to Checkout' link/button.
• You are then taken to a simple 2-step process where you provide delivery details for your order, choose your payment method, have shipping costs (if any) automatically calculated and then check and confirm all the details of your order.
• You can choose to pay by credit/debit card or by advance payment. Select the alternative you wish to use and follow the instructions given.

Do you have a store or warehouse I could visit to view your carpets?

Oriental Carpet Brokers Ltd have a large warehouse facility located in Vauxhall Cross, London, UK where private customers can view our carpets, by appointment. To arrange a viewing appointment, call or otherwise contact our offices as detailed in the 'footer' section of most pages on our website, or use one of our website contact forms.

Can you send me a catalogue or listing of the carpets you have available?

No, we do not have a printed catalogue or list as all our carpets are published and can be viewed on our website. By providing all our carpets on the website we are able to constantly update the information on our carpets, and quickly publish new additions as they come in, in this way providing more accurate and current information to our customers.

How are your prices arrived at?

Most of our prices are based on the source cost of each item in question. Because our business model is designed to cut out all middlemen we are able to price our carpets as low as it is possible. Our chosen method of online selling is also designed to keep our prices as favourable to buyers as we can make them. A number of the carpets offered on our site are the properties of individuals, and these are priced in accordance with our advice on their most competitive market value. All-in-all, we think you will find our prices considerably more attractive than those offered other outlets.

Can I take a carpet I like on approval to see how it looks in my home?

We regret we cannot offer an on-approval service. However you can bur an item and see how it looks in your home. You then have the possibility to return it if it doesn’t meet your requirements, as long as you do this within 30 days of the date of purchase and pay the necessary shipping costs. This does not apply for countries outside the EU.

About Payments and Online Security

What payment methods do you accept?

We offer two methods of payment, either immediate online payment by credit/debit card via PayPal, or through advance payment or payment on collection from our premises, these being settled using direct transfers from your ban account to ours, or by means of cleared cheques.

How secure is your online payments system?

We partner with Paypal for all our Internet payments, and the transaction system on our site is therefore very secure. All payments are made using an encrypted connection to ensure total security for all online transactions, and to fully protect all your personal details. All payment transactions are also monitored and controlled manually to further ensure your safety.

Orders Information

How can I review my orders?

Once you have successfully paid for your item you will receive a confirmation email from us and contact details on how to track your current shipments.

How can I cancel an order?

In the unlikely event you want to cancel an order, please send an email to info@orientalcarpetberokers.com and we will cancel the order upon receipt of your email and confirm it for you.

How can I change an order?

If you want to change an order then send an email to info@orientalcarpetbrokers.com and let us know your Order No. the Ref. No. of the item you want to change and details of the carpet you would like instead of the one ordered.

Questions about Shipping and Deliveries

What are your shipping charges?

All deliveries within the United Kingdom are free of charge. Shipping costs for other countries depend upon the destination - more details can be found in our "Terms and Conditions". Shipping costs outside the U.K. are calculated on a per item basis, taking into account the delivery destination and the size/weight of the total order.

How long does it take to receive my order?

The normal delivery-time is 7-14 workdays within the EU and up to 28 workdays to other parts of the world.

Can I track my shipment online?

Once your order payment has been cleared and your carpets securely packed ready for shipment you will receive a confirmation email from Oriental Carpet Brokers Ltd.. This email contains full details of all shipping information and tracking information. You can use the details provided to track your order, either through the UPS website at www.ups.com, or through ParcelForce at www.parcelforce.co.uk, or via FedEX at www.fedex.com (as applicable).

Do I need to be at home when my order is delivered?

Yes, you or someone you trust needs to be available when the delivery arrives. However, if delivering to the delivery address you gave when placing your order is inconvenient, you can contact Parcelforce/UPS to change the delivery address or for further information about the day and time of delivery.

Do you ship to P.O. Box addresses?

Unfortunately we cannot ship to P.O. Boxes, since the shipment package needs to be signed for.

Returns

If I don’t like a carpet I have bought can I return it?

Yes, you can return a carpet if you do not like it or if it doesn’t fit within your home. Any rturn must be made within the 30 days following its date or purchase. Our 30-day Returns policy only applies to countries within the EU. please More information on our returns policy can be found in our Terms and Conditions.

How do I arrange for the return of a carpet?

To make a return you should first contact us either by phone at +44 (0)207 – 091 9944 or by emailing us at info@orientalcarpetbrokers.com  and advise us that you want to return a carpet. We will then arrange for a dispatch note to be sent to you by post, together with packing labels and full instructions on how to arrange the return. Please note that you will be responsible for the shipping costs involved in your return of a carpet.

Will I have to pay the shipping costs when returning a carpet?

Yes, you will be responsible for paying the shipping costs if you decide to return a carpet. This of course does not apply if a carpet is being returned because it is damaged - under these circumstances we will pay for the return shipping costs.

What should I do if I find a carpet is damaged upon arrival?

If you discover a carpet is in any way damaged on arrival please first contact the local branch of UPS (or other delivery company involved) and report the damage to them. You should then let us know either by calling us on +44 (0)207 – 091 9944 or faxing us on +44 (0)207 – 091 7475 or by sending us an email to info@orientalcarpetbrokers.com giving full details of the damage you have found. It might also be a good idea if you photographed the damage as closely as possible to how you first discovered it. After receiving your report on the damage we will then advise you on how you should proceed. 

How do you pack carpet orders to ensure they are safe while in transit?

We have long experience of shipping individual carpets and large consignments in every part of the world and know the best packing methods to use to ensure no carpet is damaged in any way while in transit. We fully comply with all packing instructions provided by UPS and Parcelforce. We ensure each carpet is carefully folded and then packed inside heavy duty plastic wrapping. Runners, silk rugs and certain large carpets are usually rolled, often around a firm cardboard cylinder. The whole shipment is then enclosed in either hessian or several layers of very think wrapping paper, and firmly sealed using industrial duct tape to offer maximum protection and security.

Caring for your carpet

Is there any way I can get rid of fold marks and creases in my carpet?

Fold marks made by the packing of a carpet can be removed by placing some heavy (but safe) objects such as one or more stacks of books along the crease. After a few days the pile of the carpet should settle so that it lies flat on the floor and the fold marks no longer appear. Any other creases showing when a carpet is first unpacked should disappear quickly once it is laid on the floor and subjected to the normal use of the household.