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<\/div>\nWhen we moved to Marrakech I realized I have a small obsession with Moroccan rugs<\/a><\/strong>. By small what I really mean is that I have a big problem. I just can\u2019t resist them! If your travels have you stopping in Marrakech you\u2019ll find the souks are popping at the seams with rugs. <\/p>\n The good news is I\u2019ve been through the wringer and have more than a decade of rug experience behind me, so I am sharing from first-hand experience. Buying a rug in Marrakech<\/strong> can be a really fun experience, but it can also be overwhelming. My hope is that these tips make it a little easier for you, especially when you\u2019re figuring out how to buy a rug in Morocco.<\/p>\n The first rug I bought was nearly 20 years ago from a rug shop in Fez. I later learned I had paid WAY too much for this rug but what did I know? <\/p>\n I was 19 and all I wanted was that rug. For a long time, it was the only \u201cadult\u201d thing I owned. While I made do with second-hand furniture and thrift store finds my rug always had a prominent place in my home and was my daily inspiration to get on the road again.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The majority you\u2019ll find in shops are made by one of the forty-five distinct Berber tribes in the country, making it an ideal destination for buying Berber rugs in Morocco. Each one has a unique style and every Moroccan Berber rug is handmade on a loom. It\u2019s most often done by women in their free time. Rugs can take anywhere from 10 days to 6 months to make depending on size, complexity, and how much time she has. Rugs first and foremost are used in homes or for celebrations. They then are sold as goods or traded.<\/p>\n When you come to Morocco and want to buy a rug (or a zerbiya<\/em> \u2013 the Arabic word) to bring home with you keep these things in mind.<\/p>\n In case you missed this point, you need<\/strong> to bargain for your rug, especially when buying rugs in Morocco.<\/p>\n Do not, I repeat DO NOT accept the price offered to you in the shop. There are some, but very few, shops that have fixed prices. Always attempt to bargain first.<\/p>\n Bargaining here is part of the game. The salesmen knows you aren\u2019t (well you shouldn\u2019t) accept his first offer. Many people are afraid of going too low. Fear not. Drop that price by as much as 2\/3 to start with and work from there.<\/p>\n You should eventually expect to meet somewhere around 50% of the original price. If you know you are already out of your league at 50% off the original price \u2013 move on. There are some shops where bargaining is not on the table. They will be upfront and tell you this to begin with. You can choose to accept that or not.<\/p>\n If you\u2019ve agreed on a price you really shouldn\u2019t back out. When you finally do commit it\u2019s in really bad form to then change your mind and walk away. Wait to agree completely until you are 100% sure. There\u2019s no contract yet but it\u2019s a spoken agreement.<\/p>\n For those people who find bargaining very uncomfortable, remember you\u2019re not going to offend the salesperson, even if they act offended. You don\u2019t have to be rude but also don\u2019t be afraid to make a deal that works for BOTH of you. <\/p>\n Love a rug? Just have to have it?<\/p>\n Don\u2019t let the shopkeeper catch on to it or you\u2019ve lost one of your biggest bargaining chips. Instead, act nonchalant. Even look at more rugs so that you can eventually come back to the one you really want. Also, don\u2019t be afraid to walk away. Moroccan rugs are one of a kind it\u2019s true but many times when you walk away the salesman will come back and reduce the price or agree to the last price you gave.<\/p>\n But, if you appear very interested and just HAVE to have a specific rug the salesperson is not going to be as flexible with pricing. They\u2019ll see that you are likely willing to pay more because you really want it.<\/p>\n Sometimes it can get a little (ok a lot) overwhelming when you start looking at rugs. There are SO many to choose from that after a while they can all start to blend together. You also might be shown rug styles that you have no interest in however these keep adding up on the floor and in your mind making for more confusion.\u00a0 Here are a few tips to help you find the right rug without losing your mind!<\/p>\n Having open conversation and dialogue will not only help you find the rug that you want but will also help the vendor uncover which rug is the right fit. Some places have thousands of rugs and having a good starting place is really helpful for everyone.<\/p>\n It\u2019s also helpful for you to keep in mind what your budget is for purchasing a rug, or at least a roundabout figure.<\/p>\n If you walk into a shop and are told a carpet is an antique Moroccan rug don\u2019t automatically trust it, especially if you don\u2019t know the difference. There is a whole industry of \u201caging\u201d carpets that will be sold as antiques. If you really want to buy an antique you need to be sure to do your research, so you know what you\u2019re getting. Chances are also pretty good you won\u2019t find rugs here that date beyond the 1920\u2019s or 1930\u2019s. <\/p>\n Even in the best condition, they\u2019ll have natural fade and the fabric will be frayed. Remember rugs are used for practical, not decorative purposes. So an \u201cantique\u201d rug that\u2019s faded but otherwise in perfect condition \u2013 not likely.<\/p>\n If you don\u2019t know what you\u2019re buying and don\u2019t have a lot of experience with antique rugs I would encourage you to be very careful. Like with anything if you don\u2019t know what you\u2019re buying you can\u2019t really judge the value of that item. For your purchase, you might consider something that you simply love vs. buying an investment piece.<\/p>\n Authentic Moroccan rugs are made from wool. One way to tell if you\u2019re getting a real wool rug or a synthetic is to hold up a lighter to one of the loose edges. If it doesn\u2019t light or put itself out its made of wool. If it ignites it\u2019s synthetic. Chances are if you pull out a lighter and it\u2019s fake after the dealer has told you it\u2019s authentic he\u2019ll get quite nervous.<\/p>\n I could get lost in rug shops for hours and if you\u2019re not sure what you want you should too. Spend time looking around and seeing what you like.<\/p>\n But, don\u2019t ask for prices until you find something that you do like. <\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019re in a shop and are having a hard time deciding set aside a variety of items that you do like and start asking prices. If you\u2019re really unsure what rugs will cost go to a fixed-price shop first. There are typically artisan centers in larger cities. <\/p>\n For example, the Ensemble Artisanal in Marrakech will have all varieties of artisan goods for a fixed price. Walk around, look at prices, and then go into the souks (or pay the fixed price if you prefer!) This will give you an idea of what things cost without the pressure and sales hacks.<\/p>\n If I had a quarter for every good-hearted tourist that has bought into this I would have my own rug shop. I get it, you want to help. You want to support the people making these rugs, who most of the time are women. But here\u2019s another dirty little secret, most of the \u201cwomen\u2019s co-ops\u201d are that in name only.<\/p>\n The women are getting a pittance of the sale. You might say \u201coh it\u2019s ok I\u2019ll pay more because it will make a difference,\u201d no I\u2019m sorry but it likely will not. The women get a fixed price (trust me it\u2019s not much) for their rugs and whether it sells for that price (not likely) or 100x more, they make the same amount. <\/p>\n People ask me this all the time and it\u2019s impossible for me to answer this question. There are dozens of variables that affect the price of a rug.<\/p>\n Age, style, design, condition etc. etc. are all variables. Where you buy the rug in relation to where the rug was made, how much the shop paid for it, how popular that style is at the present time also come into consideration.<\/p>\n How much are rugs in Morocco?<\/p>\n A small rug may only cost you 750-1000 dirham. However an average price ranges in the 3500-6000 dirham range. An older vintage Berber rug or larger sized rugs can range from 10,000-25,000 dirham and more. Buying a rug is not \u201ccheap\u201d but it is MUCH cheaper than buying it outside Morocco.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re planning to shop for a rug don\u2019t go empty-handed. You will want to have an idea of the size of the rug you want or need. This is very important. Keep in mind sizes are done in metric and most rugs are not made in the same dimensions as western rugs. They are typically much more rectangular to fit in Moroccan homes.<\/p>\n You also should have some ideas of colors and designs that you like. A Pinterest search will pull up hundreds of different Moroccan rugs. Familiarize yourself with some of the names of styles you like. Every tribe in Morocco has a different style so when you say \u201cMoroccan\u201d rug it encompasses a LOT of different styles and designs.<\/p>\n Also, have an idea of your budget and what you want to spend. It\u2019s easier to pay for things with cash than a card as there\u2019s often a surcharge for using a credit card. If this is the case make sure to work in the charge to your final price. If you will need shipping, this should be included too.<\/p>\n Shipping a rug from Morocco is possible and while you can handle this yourself by visiting the post office it can be a frustrating process that takes quite a bit of time. If you can work shipping into the deal with your rug it will be much easier for you. <\/p>\n Good question! I\u2019ve written a post that is all about how to clean your rug once you get it home! You should always take care and if you\u2019re unsure or afraid to do this \u2013 don\u2019t. Take it to someone who can professionally clean them.<\/p>\n How to Clean Moroccan Rugs at Home<\/a><\/p>\n Buying a rug in Marrakech can be a thrilling and rewarding experience. However, it\u2019s important to keep in mind that the process can be overwhelming and it\u2019s easy to fall prey to scams or unscrupulous vendors. By following the tips outlined in this article, you\u2019ll be able to navigate the rug market with confidence and find the perfect rug to bring home as a souvenir of your trip. Remember to take your time, do your research, and don\u2019t be afraid to negotiate. Happy rug shopping!<\/p>\n Moroccan rugs and carpets embody centuries of craftsmanship and cultural heritage. While both feature vibrant colors and intricate geometric patterns, they differ in size and complexity. Moroccan rugs, typically smaller in size, serve versatile purposes as floor coverings, wall hangings, or even cozy blankets. On the other hand, Moroccan carpets are grandiose floor coverings, often adorning entire rooms with their elaborate designs. <\/p>\n Aside from Marrakech, here are some of the best places to buy rugs in Morocco:<\/p>\n What are the Different Types of Moroccan Rugs?<\/a><\/p>\n 4 Things You Need to Know to Keep Your Rugs Lasting<\/a><\/p>\n How to: Cleaning Moroccan Rugs<\/a><\/p>\n![\"buying](\"https:\/\/marocmama.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/rugs-rugs-rugs.png\")
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\nA Brief Background of Moroccan Rugs<\/h2>\n
![\"Rug](\"https:\/\/marocmama.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Rug-Shopping-in-Marrakech.png\")
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n1. Bargain, Bargain, Bargain<\/h2>\n
2. Don\u2019t Appear Too Interested<\/h2>\n
3. Selecting Your Rug<\/h2>\n
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n4. Antique and Aged<\/h2>\n
5. The Fire Test<\/h2>\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/marocmama.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/How-to-Buy-a-Moroccan-Rug-in-Marrakech-683x1024.png\")
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n6. Look Around<\/h2>\n
![\"Moroccan](\"https:\/\/marocmama.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/04\/Rugs-in-Marrakech.png\")
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n7. Avoid the Women\u2019s Co-op Ploy<\/h2>\n
What Should a Rug Cost?<\/h2>\n
What Should I Have With Me When Shopping?<\/h2>\n
How Do I Take Care of My Rug?<\/h2>\n
![\"Vacuuming](\"https:\/\/marocmama.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/09\/Vacuuming-a-Beni-Ourani-Rug.png\")
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<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\nAre Moroccan Rugs and Carpets the Same?<\/h2>\n
Best Places to Buy Rugs in Morocco<\/h2>\n
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\u2600\ufe0f Planning to visit Morocco soon? \ud83c\udf35<\/h2>\n
\ud83c\udfe8 Booking Hotels in Morocco<\/strong>: Booking.com<\/a>, Expedia.com<\/a><\/strong> E Hostelworld<\/a> <\/strong>are great options for finding and booking locations in Morocco.<\/h2>\n
\ud83d\udc81\u200d\u2640\ufe0f Booking A Tour in Morocco<\/strong>: Check our tours first Moroccan Food Adventures<\/a>! Viator<\/a><\/strong> E GetYourGuide<\/strong><\/a> have dozens of options for a few hours or full-day tours <\/h2>\n
\ud83d\udcde SIM Cards<\/strong>: I exclusively use Airalo<\/strong><\/a> whenever I travel \u2013 and it works great in Morocco! <\/h2>\n
\ud83d\ude37 Travel Insurance<\/strong>: I like Safetywing<\/strong><\/a>. Another option for travelers 70+ is EKTA<\/strong><\/a>.<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
More Information on Rugs in Morocco<\/h2>\n