Nepal Carpet Industry Petition...

It's always nice to get mail, electronic or otherwise, and this post was inspired by a forwarded email I received from Limor Goren at Odegard, who suggested I might be interested in the topic: The Nepal Carpet Industry Petition. For those of you not familiar with the Petition, I invite you to read it in its entirety: Here. The petition provides some background to the industry and then lays out a proposed course of action for the Nepali government to take. Without repeating the petition verbatim, I will say that I am in support of the goals of the petition and encourage you to sign it in support, that is of course if you agree me, the other signers, and others of good sense. Of course "We rarely think people have good sense unless they agree with us." - Francois de La Rochefoucauld

There are several points of the Petition I would like to highlight and discuss, if for no other reason than they are the parts that interest me.

"A standardization of quality certifications with incentives to increase the percentage of rugs being made with a traditional Tibetan construction and utilizing hand spun yarns and the highest quality long staple wool, thereby increasing and protecting the value of the Nepali carpet brand. Certification standards should be put into place to distinguish the traditional pieces using crossed knot construction and hand spun yarns from the non-traditional pieces using a non-crossed knot construction and/or machine spun yarn."

At first read I want to say that I feel this has no place in the Government, but considering most industries (rug included) are never going to be forthright with their customers, it may just be the case that regulatory intervention is required. (Wow! I've been hanging out with too many socialists.) Without reopening my now closed debate on this subject (crossed vs uncrossed), I think the labeling aspect of this proposal is entirely fair, and is ultimately of benefit not only to producers and importers, but to the consumer. Over the years I've spoken informally to many of the people and companies who produce, what the petition calls "non-traditional" pieces, and in an almost universal defense, they attempt to defuse the practice of non-disclosure by saying the customer "doesn't care", and I tend to agree, that to this point they have not. Everything is cyclical however, and as I have been forecasting a return to quality and true value, this clear delineation between traditional and non (acknowledging both have a valid place in the world) is ever so timely.

"A reworking of the labor unions’ relationship with the factories to ensure that the labor union activities and demands are responsible towards the workers and lead to the betterment of the industry, working conditions, and employment standards. The current thuggery and politicization of a select number of labor unions is reinforcing counterproductive activities that weaken and damage the industry and the working conditions of its employees."

I cannot personally attest to the state of Weaving Unions in Nepal, but I can tell you that while Unions (in any industry) have their benefits, they too have their pitfalls. As a past resident of Akron, Ohio I can tell you that the reason there are no longer any tire factories in Akron is that Unions routinely demanded higher and higher wages from the Rubber Companies until such time that they were forced to close due to simple economics of profitability. Fair wages: Yes. Crippling to the company wages: No. Everyone (Person, Government, Union, Trade Group, et cetera) looks out for their own interests and survival, it is a basic instinct. Without proper oversight (from the members) and reasonable management, the very people who are supposed to be helped, can be hindered. A seventy percent (70%) reduction in weaving capacity in Nepal hardly seems beneficial to the now jobless weavers.

"An increase in the government’s export promotion policies, meant to help this industry win market share from the increasing number of machine made and lower quality carpet manufactures. This should include tax incentives for exporters, government backed funding structures for exporters, producers and suppliers, government promotion of the “Nepali Carpet” brand, and assistance to address environmental and labor issues damaging not only the industry but also its reputation abroad. Export incentives should have a direct and positive impact on the industry’s sales and national revenue derived from the industry."

Downward price pressures due either to machine-made or low quality hand-made carpets is always going to be a concern, and in fact, based on a completely unscientific anecdotally based analysis of consumerism, I think the growth in both of those markets is just really starting. A shrinking middle class is pushing more and more consumers to spend less, and thus, targeting these consumers makes good business sense, if you are in that line of work. On the other hand, the high end will always be there (unless there is a French style revolution, but even then the wealth came back.....) it may just be that it is smaller, and as I have mentioned, more quality driven. While this is a continuation of my belief in "return to quality", the top of the market has always been about quality, as an extension of price or otherwise.

As for the branding of Nepali Carpets, I think this is great, and quite frankly placing a fee/tax on the rights to the brand, could self fund the initiatives set forth in the petition. Put some legislation into effect, protect that name and have a system not unlike that of the French Appellation d’origine contrôlée. Everyone knows Champagne is from France, wether they buy it or not.

"The strengthening of government policy and enforcement to combat and diminish the use of child labor in the industry."

Until this is tackled on a global/regional basis, the negative implications to those on the front lines selling rugs are hard to overcome. The salesmen (generally) just wants to make the sale, and the consumer just wants a carpet. That is not to say however that this should not be done. Of course this should be done. No illegal child labour should ever be employed. It's just that simple. Tackling the global and/or regional problems has to start somewhere, and it starts locally (in Nepal) and locally (in say, Chicago or wherever you are), each of us doing our respective part. Salesman need to correctly educate their customers and only sell new production rugs made without illegal child labour. Likewise, countries and manufactures have to move past the false and temporary promise of economic growth that illegal labour provides.

Broadly it is important for all interested parties to remember that rug production is a viable economic development avenue for Nepal. Just as it is foolish to support and prop up failing and outmoded businesses, it is foolish to try and promote development that is not in line with the realities of the locality. High tech, by example, is not an option for Nepal at the moment (nor for many other places, even some in the West), so we should not venture down that current road to nowhere.

Now, as I've apparently been known to do when provided a forum, I am going to plug something: GoodWeave. The emerging progressive standards GoodWeave plans to implement can play a supportive role to many of the later goals above, as well as others found in the petition.

Finally, I would like to add a philosophical end to this post. Too often, in the name of progress (from the Western perspective) we allow once glorious and beautiful crafts and skills to fall away to the memory of history. Preserving traditional skills is just as important as innovation and progress. Striking the balance is always the hard part. Just because something can be done less expensively and faster, does not mean it should be done. There is always a cheaper way, but that doesn't mean it is the right way.

Moving production from one country to the next is merely avoiding the root problems. To paraphrase (perhaps inappropriately) ....we choose to do these things not because they are easy, but because they are hard. Failing to support, foster and encourage sustainable growth will only continue the loss of skills, the cycle of poverty and the continued exploitation of developing economies by The West. (One could argue this is true at home here in the West as well. What do we actually make anymore?) I for one think we can do better.

Online Retailing vs Brink and Mortar. A follow up.

In a second (odd how few people ever promote that something is the second...), the Ruggist again answers a question that was posed by an anonymous (although we find out part of his name in the signature) reader in a comment on the last post which dealt with Online Retailing.

Here is the background and question:

"Anonymous said...

Hi Michael,

I am also a retailer for the last 37 years, not a purist of only high end design rugs and carpet , but sell the whole range. This is a new reality for us brick and motar stores. We are being used by many but not all rug consumers. The point I am making to the consumer is if you are using us in order to buy on line after, please give us an oportunity to match the deal. I believe in the golden rule treat others as you would want to be treated. I would like to relate a recent incident. As you may do also we sign out our rugs and samples before you buy, this customer took home several pieces than returned them droping them off, to our receptionist that he bought them some where else cheaper, not a thank you or any remorse just straight forward. I got wind of this and decided to call him just before Christmas, I identified my self and told him, I wanted to know why he didn't even give us a shot at matching the price. He was furious that I had even called him how dare me, and he would never buy from us again, I almost laughed because if he came in again I would not sell him. I don't liked to be used. He angrly told me we had, had our chance to sell him and we were greedy and our price was a rip off. We didn't deserve a oportunity, and he was mad that I challenged him. He then slamed the phone in my ear.

Wow! Was I out of line? I am curios your comments...Sam the rug man"

So, do I think Sam was out of line? It depends. Was this a long term customer of Sam's or was it a first time buyer? Is it retail or trade-only? (I am guessing retail.) Before I answer thought, I'd like to broaden our thoughts on this, so let me recount for you a similar situation I once encountered.

This was likely in 2004 or 2005 and took place at Classic Oriental Rugs, a trade-only showroom located in Cleveland, Ohio. A new to us designer (client or customer if you will) came into the showroom and was first met by the very lovely and ever so polite Mary Ann Barrett. Now as I recall, Mary Ann knew of this designer (which was often the case as Mary Ann has an encyclopedic knowledge of Cleveland families and people) and started chatting with her about her needs. By the time I (as the salesman) was introduced into the situation (I think I had been out on an appointment) several criteria had been established: 1) Urgent need (By a certain not too distant date). and 2) Definite Size (9x12). Then, with my guidance we determined: 3) We offered a suitable, although not "perfect" carpet, that would need to be ordered. The 9x12 was on backorder for about eight (8) to ten (10) weeks which only left about a two (2) week margin of error for her must have by date. We provided her with a quote, stressing the importance of ordering immediately if she wanted to minimize chances of missing the date. She then took the information and went on her way. It should be noted that we would typically conduct a follow up on this visit in five (5) to ten (10) days.

About a week passed and she returned to the showroom, asking first of course if there "Was anything new that she should see?" I politely (if I had had my coffee) told here there was not, and she then acquiesced and ordered the previously discussed rug. A "Special Order Agreement" was drafted and sent via fax (at her request) to her office. The next morning the signed agreement, and deposit via credit card were found waiting for us in the fax machine. The Agreement broadly stated that the designer was ordering a rug, the rug was non-returnable and the deposit was non-refundable. Basic language that attempts to lock the order down. Later that day the rug was ordered with our supplier, and it was of course still on back order, and the delivery, due to the designer's one week delay was now even tighter. But, I knew the supplier well and trusted their information (which one cannot always do). We provided this information to the client, who said "thank you" and mentioned she was departing for Florida for vacation.

Three (3) days later the phone rings. "Hi, this is Dolly Decorina (not her real name) and I'd like to cancel my order for the rug" she says to the junior salesman, who explains to her that the order is not cancelable (as detailed the agreement). A lively conversation ensues, and she is asked to hold to speak with me, the senior salesman and manager.

Once on the phone she proceeds to tell me she has found the "perfect" rug while in Florida and they have it in stock. She repeats her desire to cancel the order, and I again mention that it is not cancelable. Quoting Ohio business law, she then reminds me that all contracts in Ohio are subject to a three (3) day grace period (which I knew), and that if I didn't cancel her order and refund her money she would report us. Of course by this point I am fuming! To defuse the situation, I ask her to hold while I pull her order and look over the details. "I may have to call the Owner" I add. I put her on hold. Of course I have no real intention of calling the owner, but it sounds good, and putting her on hold gave me a chance to review her order and to think in a slightly more calm manner.

Now here is the important part! While I had not physically viewed her fax until the morning of say the 4th, it was in fact dated and received by our fax machine on the 3rd. She was now calling us on the 7th. Thus, technically, it was outside of the three (3) day window to rescind a contract. Also, because of who I had ordered the rug from and its backorder status, I knew canceling would not be too much of a concern. I retuned to the phone.

"Okay Dolly, we'll cancel the order and refund your deposit" I say. "Oh thank you she says. The next time I am looking for a rug I will definitely come to you." she replies. "Actually" I retort "please don't bother. We've built our business on being a resource for repeat customers who value our relationship. I don't think we are a good fit." She replies with stunned silence at first. "Okay, well thank you for canceling the order" she once again says. "You're welcome, enjoy the rest of your vacation. Good-bye." I say hanging up the phone.

Quick Analysis of the Situation:

Both of these narratives hinge around customer satisfaction. In the first, the customer is looking for a better price, in the second the customer is looking for a rug better suited to the situation. While in both cases the customer ends up being satisfied, the showroom is left, in the end, without a sale. What was done wrong? What was done right?

In Sam's case, the mistake was made upon the return of the samples. Assuming he has a retail showroom, then and only then was the moment to ask the customer for more details about where he found the product online for less money. Once the customer leaves after returning the samples from the "free/home trial period" their obligation to the showroom ends. Now, don't get me wrong, I think Sam is fully in the right to question the customer, but not after the fact.

Sam's customer is also in the wrong for not asking Sam for a better price. He is clearly getting a valuable service from Sam (being able to the see the samples) and he should have given Sam the chance to meet the price. Also, stating that Sam was "greedy and his price was a rip off" does show ignorance on the part of the customer. Sam has retail overhead that has to be paid for somehow.

Sam's customer also states that "he would never buy from" Sam again. While unknown to us, the important thing to know is: Has that customer purchased before? I am guessing he has not. Retail customers love to use the empty promise of future sales, holding them out as if they were a carrot on a stick.

In my case, one could argue (although I don't) that telling the customer not to return was not the appropriate business decision, and indeed it may not have been. I could have been, gasp!, wrong. However! Given we had been serving the Cleveland design community for almost ten (10) years, and this was the first time she had come to us, I am pretty certain I wasn't giving up any real business.

I was also in the right to refund the customer and cancel the order. She didn't want it, and I'd have spent too much time and effort trying to collect the balance due, et cetera. She was happy (until I told her not to return) and in the end, we were better off for it.

We could also fault Dolly for canceling the order, but then again, she was hesitant on the style of the rug from the beginning. Perhaps a better salesman (better than me at the time) would have suggested that the rug was not suited for her and sent her on her way. I learned that you can't be everything to everybody from a former colleague when we worked at Classic Oriental Rugs together. I should have remembered that the morning I accepted her order.

The take away message:

In editing this post I realized that so many of us can relate to the basic premise of this scenario, that the number of sharable stories could fill a not so small volume of anecdotes. The number of exact permutations being almost immeasurable. The "correct" resolution to the perceived problem however is not always clear cut (of course) nor is it going to be the same for every showroom (retail or trade) and so, what can we conclude:

While I have not verified this personally, I am to understand that the customer service motto of The Walt Disney Company is: "The customer may not always be right, but they are still the customer." In both of these examples the customer ended up with what they wanted, but were left with a negative impression of the showroom. "How to Win Friends and Influence People" advises never making a person feel small or inferior to you, even if you are in fact the one in the right. Sam should have just let the situation be since he had not seen the customer when the samples were returned, and I should have refunded the money (which I did) but been gracious and told Dolly I looked forward to seeing her again and better meeting her wants.

In the end, both Sam and I burned a bridge. It is (mostly) clear Sam was fully aware of the bridge he was burning, whereas I on the other hand am not as certain on my decision. Always make sure you are off the bridge and you never want to to go back before you strike the match. By the way, always and never are two words you should always remember to never use.

Online Rug Retailing Dot Com

In a first for The Ruggist, I am writing a post based on a question posed by one of my readers, which goes....

"Hey Ruggist, I've been searching around for the perfect rug and stumbled onto this site [[WEBSITE NAME REDACTED]] their selection is unworldly and the rug arrived quickly, if I didn't like it (which I do) I could even return it free of charge. I was curious on "the ruggist"s take on buying rugs online."

**Note: The website mentioned can be found in the comments section of This post.

As mentioned in my last post, one should always be a little suspect of the source of information and I myself am reading this question over and over wondering if it is nothing more than an advertisement for this web-based rug purveyor. With respect to the questioner, we are going to dissect the question to try and determine if it is an advertisement but also to set up the answer to the true question of "What is The Ruggist's take on buying rugs online?"

Dissection

1) "...I've been searching around for the perfect rug..." Where have you been searching? And I don't mean this facetiously. Were you looking at local retail stores and were unhappy with the selection/service, and thus went online? Or have you scoured the internet and determined this is the best site? Or is this just an advertising setup, illustrating that no matter how far and wide someone is to look anywhere, this website is the end all be all of rug selection.

2) "unworldly selection" Presumably, the writer is an astronaut (or extra terrestrial) who shops for rugs in space and thus can truthfully attest to the nature of this company's selection or it is again an advertising setup or is is both an advertising setup and poor word choice.

3) "return it free of charge" I really want to know more about this. Did you still have to pay for the shipping etc?

I had written everything prior to this before January 14, 2010 at 3:30PM AST when presumably, the same anonymous poster added a secondary comment, one that has subsequently been deleted by me, which read to the effect: "thanks have you had a chance to check out the site I recommended?" It also contained a link to the previously mentioned online rug retailer.

Now I am a huge fan of many things, and will endorse companies and products I love until everyone I know is tired of hearing about them, but gratuitously plugging a website twice in the same post, reeks of shameless self promotion and propaganda, and any doubts I had that the first comment was nothing more than an advertisement for the again aforementioned online rug retailer, have now been set aside and I am firmly in the camp that whomever the poster was, he/she is most certainly somehow affiliated with the website. Furthermore, if there is going to be any shameless plugging and dissemination of propaganda done on this blog it is going to be done by me. Get your own damn blog!

Shall we now focus on the completely valid question at hand that was attempting (albeit poorly) to surreptitiously advertise on my blog? Let us!

Online Rug Retailing: The Final Frontier

As with most of my opinions, you will find my take on Online Rug Retailing to be measured and most carefully worded to avoid offending those I do not wish to offend. So, let me be clear: Online rug retailing (of the sort mentioned in the original question) has its place in the industry, a place relegated to the lower-middle and low end, and has little to no place in the upper-middle, high and luxury end of the market. An extension of this is obviously to answer the posted query with another question: What type of rug are you looking for?

The search for the "perfect rug" as the poster states is a common problem heard daily by every rug salesman I know. Factoring in price, style and time constraints, the definition of perfect is as varied as the number of excuses as to why a rug fitting all the customer prescribed criteria is somehow: "Not quite what I am looking for." Thus, when considering whether or not you should buy a rug online you must ask yourself if you actually know what you are looking for. Assuming that you know that, we can determine if online rug retailing is for you.

Examples of when you should use an Online Retailer:

Mediocre quality, low cost used or new Iranian (or any other country of origin quite frankly) goods: By all means yes. Go to eBay. Search for Heriz (it's not likely even a real Heriz). Find one you like and buy it. Who cares if you can't return it, or aren't 100% pleased with the colours. It likely only cost you ~$1000(USD) for a 9x12, which is not a bad price! On top of that, the rug is also most likely totally serviceable for what it is. There is such a tremendous glut of goods that fall into this category that those holding them in inventory should look to divest themselves of them via online retailing, and those looking to get into an entry level hand-made rug should take advantage of the opportunity and buy!

As long as the retailer has a good return policy (as in the case of our example "returns free of charge"), I say go for it when you are looking at anything machine-made and also anything priced under say ~$3000(USD) for a 9x12. As anyone who has shopped at a lower end (where these products fall) retail rug store can tell you, the salesmen therein are often cousins of used car salesmen and you can spare yourself the headache and frustration by clicking away at home.

I could continue and make up countless arbitrary categories, but the truth is, in both of these categories the main criteria is one of quality/price. If what you are looking for is of a quality that is reflected by a low price, then by all means buy online.

All of this of course assumes you are comfortable shopping online. If you want to see, touch, feel and experience the rug before you buy it, then by all means, go to your local rug retailer, reputable or otherwise, find a salesman, and buy from them. For you see, when shopping at the lower end, to find what you are looking for, you may not be at the best shoppe in town, but that does not mean the salesperson's time is not valuable.

Back to the Brick and Mortar

If on the other hand, what you are looking for does not fall into the exceptionally broad category of low quality and low price point as briefly described above, I, without hesitation, suggest, encourage, implore, demand and dare I say command, that you visit your local reputable rug purveyor.

There should be no illusions here however. I am a huge proponent of supporting small business and shopping locally, and cannot personally stand the exploitation of small businesses. If you are going to go into a local retailer and consume the salesman's time, and find "the perfect rug", do not then attempt to buy it online and cut the salesman out of his commission. To do so would place you in the company of the other fine folks who lament the passing of local stores and mom and pop retailers, yet foment their demise by favoring big box stores, choosing to go to Macy's look at a Karastan carpet, and then find it cheaper online. As I alluded to just two paragraphs before, a salesman's time is valuable, and the needless wasting of his or her time as described in this scenario is just plain unnecessary and unwarranted.

The Conclusion

I must admit that I have been exceptionally blessed in my rug career, and have not had to suffer the, what many would call indecency, of selling low end rugs in many many years. But I do acknowledge the need for their existence and realize that even saying so makes me sound more than slightly elitist. HRH The Price of Wales was once overheard (unfortunately for him) saying that "people should know their place". More broadly, we should know what kind of ruggie, or salesman we are, and likewise we should know what kind of consumer we are, and act accordingly.

The Shameless Plug and Propaganda!

"The Ruggist" is Michael A.C. Christie, who writes and produces this blog because it is just another venue to promote himself. Speaking of which, have you heard of Red Spruce?

Only time will tell if he is acting accordingly.

Welcome to 2010... Sorry (giggle) I missed you in Atlanta.

Welcome to 2010! (For those of you wondering how it should be read, the CBC's official style guide apparently has it as "twenty-ten") As the new year begins I realize that I had been rather remiss in posting to "The Ruggist" in 2009, and so, along with FINALLY stopping biting my nails, I am hereby making a resolution to post more frequently so that you are kept most up to date on the ramblings of, to steal a phrase, "your trusted source" for information from the world of rugs. So with the caveat that you should always question how trustworthy any source is, I present:

The Sort of Year in Review 2009, with brief musings on Metro Market Week and the NYICS or The Especially Opinionated Edition of The Ruggist featuring an annoying Christmas Letter and Many Random Thoughts and Interjections

We begin today with an apology. In a previous post I promised a review of Metro Market Week and the NYICS. That review has obviously not come to pass, and if by near improbable chance someone has been sitting out there holding their breath awaiting my review, I strongly urge you to start breathing again. There simply is not going to be a proper review, as 1) the timeliness has long since passed and 2) I wasn't inspired to write much of anything.

As I rambled on about in my last post, I like to write about things which inspire me. Inspiration comes in many forms though. A well crafted cocktail, sumptuous materials, brilliant marketing, that attractive man (or woman if that is your fancy) across the room, and of course, almost without need of mention: Great Carpets. And that is my dilemma. What to do when inspiration doesn't strike? In my case: Nothing. I do nothing. I think it is better to produce nothing than to produce inferior or mediocre product. Now, I am the first to admit that not all (if any) of my posts are superior in the Pulitzer sense, but some are more well read than others, and some are more informative, but they all reflect my personality and certainly my opinions. Since that is the intent of my blog, I am thusly pleased with the results.

How do I measure those results? Why in completely arbitrary and non-scientific ways, thank you for asking. My sources (sounds scandalous) tell me that during a year end survey, "The Ruggist" was named, by a single respondent, as the single best blog source for information about the rug industry. With such highly qualified endoursements as those, I am considering a movie deal.

Speaking of endoursements I would like to offer the following (which includes highlights of what was to be my MMW/NYICS review):

NYICS and Dennis Dodds

There is no harder working man in the rug business than Dennis Dodds and commendations need to go out to him for the change in venue for the NYCIS. While the number of exhibitors was down, I think the quality of the exhibitors was up and there are just not enough nice things that can be said about the new venue. Better lighting, better ceiling height, better facilities, and, and, and!, it was not stiflingly hot and stuffy like the Armoury. Thanks for the change Dennis and I hope to see you in the same spot next year.

Lapchi

Now as everyone (yes I assume all of you know all about me, am assumption now confirmed by some email I received*) knows I formerly worked for Lapchi and as with all past relationships there is a little bit of Love/Hate. You know, where you Hate to Love them, but also Love to Hate them? But Hate is such a harsh word. Let's just say I keep a critical eye and move on.

Lapchi deserves credit for both returning to the NYICS, and for putting on a great display of colour. In the face of the, err, economy, it was wonderful to see that Lapchi has continued to push product development and colour. This is an acknowledged nod to the fact that their carpets are a fashion oriented product and as such, must stay with trends. As I earlier stated, on the whole there wasn't much inspiration, and this was due to the fact of many companies presenting the same product. Lapchi, while not alone in showing new things (also Kooches, New Moon, Sahar), their presence at the entrance of the show, helped set the mood. Great work!

Siberian Carpet Company

Wow! Just stunning. Traditional craft, made the traditional ways, made in traditional styles (that last part is most daring), all that make you want to stare and touch and covet. These rugs are not for everyone, but they are beautiful none the less. I met Managing Director, Elizaveta Kondratyeva during the show and you can see and hear her passion when she talks about her rugs and her homeland. And while my Russian is non-existent and her English was marginal, I enjoyed my time in her booth and particularly the juxtaposition of old carpets against the new. More info can be found Here.

Halvai

After my last mention of Halvai (See this post of The Ruggist), many of you might be left wondering if those men, in particular Bill Ward, are crazy! I say yes they are crazy; crazy smart. As a brief intro, Halvai's rugs and carpets are simply amazing and beautiful, and suffice it to say I am a fan, but what I really want to talk about is the Halvai showroom.

I was honoured to have been invited into the space that would become the Halvai SoHo showroom by Bill during its construction phase. Seeing the transformation (only partial in my case) from before to after, visually tells an amazing story, and it is why Architectural Diges loves to feature before and after photography. During this year's market, Halvai hosted a joint (no pun intended) party with Tamarian, and this is where the space Mr. Ward developed really shines. Not so much in that it was purpose built to make Tamarian's, or Halvai's, or anyones rugs or furniture look good, but in the fact that the space was not overbuilt and has the flexibility to quickly change and adapt for the particular occasion, allowing it to make anything and everything look good. The space shines because it serves as the understated (if not grand) backdrop to those beautiful rugs. Hats off to Mr. Ward and to his continued success.

A Funny Story, if You Have a Dark Sense of Humour.

I was speaking with my friend Cyndi Janetzko (shameless GoodWeave plug) just before Christmas, and I wished her "Happy Holidays." Now in general I hate saying Happy Holidays, as it is a huge cop out. I'm Christian, I celebrate Christmas and I should say: Merry Christmas. I am fully cognizant however, that many of my rug world colleagues are, to borrow and inverse some culturalisms are: Not. Of course, I mean they are Jewish, whereas, as previously stated, I am not. Many people are slightly shocked to learn that I am not Jewish. In fact, I was once at a dinner with Stephanie Odegard and many of my best clients, and I declined to eat some of the olive appetizers, prompting the woman to my left (Not Ms. Odegard) to say " You're not Jewish are you?" Needless to say, I've tried very hard over the years to be aware of peoples beliefs and pass on my best wishes appropriately. Anyway, during/after my conversation with Mr. Janetzko, there was much musing that I should keep a list of Jews/Christians so I know what to say. Can you imagine such a list on my office wall? I think the resulting laughter is quite obvious, if only in a dark way. So! Look at the time! Speaking of Christmas, I'd like to share with you the letter I wrote to Santa this year. Sadly, my wishes were not granted.

Dear Santa,

I have been a very good boy, err, man this year. In fact, I have refrained from airing dirty laundry (only because there is too much of my own dirty laundry about), have remained focused on the positive, and have tried (somewhat successfully) to avoid using "The Ruggist" as an outlet for shamelessly promoting Red Spruce (damnit!). I've also praised The Rug Company, Delinear, and Jan Kath for their advertising, and avoided pointing out the lack of creativity in other advertising (damnit again!) So you see Santa, I am quite deserving of the present for which I am about to ask. I first saw this gift in the Winter 2009 Issue of Cover: Modern Carpets and Textiles for Interiors, and Santa, if you are listening/reading this, I promise you that I will be an extra good man in 2010 if you being me something from Rug Star. It's/She's/He's all I want for Christmas.

Merry Christmas,

MC

P.S. I've included a copy for your reference to avoid any confusion.

P.S.S. Jurgen is you are reading this, Call Me. *wink

The Quick Year in Review and my Opinion

Frankly and boldly my dear readers I think we can all agree (impossible!!) that to say "As a whole, last year's market (both MMW/NYICS and the entire world of rugs) was just not that inspired." is an understatement of epic proportions. Of course there were some great carpets made, and some crafting marketing, and some innovative, if not old school, survival methods employed to weather what was arguably the worst year for rug sales in recent memory, but as a whole (and as a generalization), the year was a bastion of negativity. As much as it pains me to write this, it is a reflection of the (note painful expression on face) economy. Moving past 2009, the economy sucked, but is now improving. Luxury goods purveyors have suffered due to in my opinion over expansion and reliance on aspirational wealth as opposed to actual wealth. Custom still reigns supreme, but I think the search for true quality and uniqueness is on the rise. Sales have been for the most part flat, but major dealers are reporting "decent" years all things considered. Sales from stock have been a saving grace amongst many. Many brands are suffering and I am sure "churn" will take its toll on a few in 2010, allowing many companies to once again thrive, and allow others to grow from obscurity into prominence. If I only knew which ones would do each, I could sell the info and retire. Things are looking up, but we must remember that the rug market as a whole is over saturated with too much of the same. And finally, as I've been predicting for years, based on my theory of fashion cycles being generational in length (20-30 years) the eighties are about to descend upon us in a fury! Just ask Pantone about the Colour of the Year!

Red Spruce: The shameless plug.

Since the arrival of my Christmas gift from Santa was somehow delayed, I must get in one last plug, so.... Whilst it was not the most financially lucrative year (this is a another understatement of cosmic proportions) for me personally, it has been an exciting year in the development of my love of carpets, design, and the like. As you may already know (or are about to learn) I have started a company named Red Spruce. We are the makers of authentic handwork rugs and carpets from Nova Scotia. That's right. We make them in Nova Scotia. By hand. Not using needlepunch or any other shortcut method. But by hand, using time honoured hand-hooking techniques. I could ramble on (as we all know) but suffice it to say we are growing, and have garnered a bit of media attention already. Outside of the local Nova Scotia press, you can find Red Spruce mentioned in Modern Carpet and Textiles (now Cover) and in Azure. We had a launch show at Argyle Fine Art in Halifax and a United States debut with New Moon in Delaware. All of these articles and events can be found summarized at the Red Spruce website, linked above. Finally, before you ask, Wait! I won't say Red Spruce' carpets are expensive, but you know the adage if you have to ask you cannot afford it. It applies. There are inherent costs of making carpets in North America, but those same costs impart significant intrinsic value. Our carpets are most certainly not for the everyman. And we would not have it any other way.

*The Email I Received.

Since I am finalizing this post as some of the World of Rugs descends on Atlanta for NORS, I am say 98% certain that the re-launch issue of Cover is about to become widely distributed. In it you will find an article I wrote which is titled: "Simply the Best - North America". Spoiler Alert: While I don't give away the article, there are allusions to its content. If you want to read the article, go acquire a copy of the magazine. We should all support print media, before it goes the way of the dinosaurs, but I digress.

The point is that my assumption that "everyone" knows I worked for Lapchi has now been confirmed by the author of a Love/Hate email, which I was copied on. I would like to offer an obviously one sided response to this email, an excerpt of which follows, removing identifying details:

"...I also think it is unfair that you allowed the author to name Lapchi the one leader in custom, without looking at the myriad factors that go into producing a custom rug and ultimately ending with customer satisfaction.

While I appreciate that most of your author’s knowledge and views lie in Lapchi’s sight because of previous employment history, I do not feel it is fair that a forum was given to plug their line, or Goodweave for that matter, ahead of any other company.

We [[NAME REDACTED]] kindly request previous knowledge of printing any article by this author, or any other opinion article which may intentionally or not, lay unsubstantiated self-serving claims to the superiority of any manufacturer over another. We simply will choose not to put our advertising dollars into those particular issues."

My Clarification:

While obviously I have been shaped by my work with Lapchi, I have also been shaped by the other eight (8) rug or rug related companies I have worked for or with. I have learned much from each of them, and hopefully left something positive in my wake as well. We are all shaped by our work be it varied or otherwise. Everything any one person or company does is intentionally self-serving, and those denying they have an agenda (good, bad or unknown) are not being forthright. Just as the email he/she wrote clearly supports her/his company, so does my authorship of the Cover article, and the posting of this information serve mine. Sir Winston Churchill stated that "The reserve of modern assertions is sometimes pushed to extremes, in which the fear of being contradicted leads the writer to strip himself of almost all sense and meaning." I hope to boldly assert my opinions, welcome being contradicted, and hope and pray that forums for expression are always available, be they in print or online (maybe like a blog). Sometimes I am wrong and sometimes I am right but inarguably I know with certainty that, "If you can find something everyone agrees on, it's wrong." - Mo Udall

In the same manner that the author intends to advance his/her position I am intending to advance mine, and neither one of us should think badly of the other for doing as such. I greatly respect the work of the author of this email and that of his/her company, and I hope to once again enjoy an end of the day sportsmanlike congratulatory drink with her/him again. My treat (It's a deduction!)