Monday, June 16, 2014

Oriental Rug Lawsuits and Bogus Appraisals

I just got an interesting inquiry. A Carpet Cleaner is getting sued. One of his crews cleaned a rug in a client’s home and things went south. As expected the rug owner has an appraisal from the place they bought the rug for $10,000. In case you are not familiar with this scam that usually means that the consumer paid no more then $1,995 or 20 cents on the dollar. The cleaner is sharp enough to be looking for an appraiser. I do not know if I will be offered the job or if I will take it. I generally will not take a case if the other appraiser is a friend and I have a lot of friends.
I offer this as a lesson to our newer rug cleaners:
Don’t wash rugs in the home. Every once in a while things go bad and if it is in your shop you have a chance to fix it.
If you get sued check out the appraiser, there are a lot of bogus appraisals on the market.
You can wash in the home for 50 cents to $1.50 with huge risk or in your “shop” for $3 to $5 a squire foot with little risk.
You cannot do better than a mediocre job in the home.
I do not mean to insult any of you that do rugs in the home. In fact I am hoping to get your appraisal work if you get sued.
A few simple guidelines:
  • The appraiser should not be the seller. That represents a conflict of interest.
  • Appraisers do not have to be certified to appraise rugs. If an appraiser does not list his credentials then it is likely that he does not have any.
  • The appraiser or his associate must actually examine the rug in person. An appraisal from photographs is of far less value.
The appraised value should be identified as 
  • "Fair Market Value" (what it might actually sell for in the condition it was in when it was placed in your care.), 
  • "Replacement Cost". Insurance companies will often pay for a new one at full retail. You are not an insurance company. 

Barry O'Connell
Senior Fellow Academy of Oriental Rugs
Cell 570-447-4395


Thursday, June 5, 2014

Doug Heiferman 3 Day Rug Class in August

HANDS-ON RUG CLEANING SCHOOL & TOUR OF NYC RUG DISTRICT

Thank you for your inquiry regarding our Hands-On Rug Cleaning School in Medford, NY on August 18, 19, 20.  Here's the link for additional info on the class http://www.dhseminars.net/paypalclassreg.htm.

This is a FANTASTIC opportunity to develop your rug cleaning skills, learn how to identify rugs, rug pre-inspection, set up your own wash pit for little money and dramatically increase your bottom line.  In addition you will earntwo CEC credits for attending.  We have put together an exciting, action packed three days of hands-on rug cleaning which includes:
- guided tour of the rug district in NYC on Day 1 (transportation to NYC from Medford, NY included)
- rug construction
- rug identification
- machine woven versus hand woven
- Wilton, face-to-face, velvet, Axminster
- learn how to MASTER pre-inspections and limit your liability
- submersion cleaning
- low moisture cleaning
- cleaning Wool; introduction to the WoolSafe Organization
- Bridgepoint Systems Wool Cleaning Line
- cleaning bleeders; crocking
- cleaning "stinkers" and urine decontamination
- "Kick Down the Door" marketing
- technical aspects of setting up your own rug cleaning profit center
- cleaning fringe
- and lots more
Rug expert and international appraiser Barry O'Connell along with myselfDoug Heiferman will be the lead trainers for this class.   John Long, master textile cleaner and industry veteran will be presenting as well.  With over 30 years experience in the industry John has faced just about every cleaning challenge imaginable, he'll knock your socks off with his demonstrations and great sense of humor.  We are all PASSIONATE about rugs and sharing our knowledge and expertise with fellow rug enthusiasts!
Breakfast and lunch are included for all three days.  We have reserved a block of rooms at a reduced rate of $129 plus tax per night at the Hampton Inn Long Island/Brookhaven, 2000 North Ocean Avenue, Farmingville, NY 11738 phone (631) 732-7300.  To get this rate rooms must be booked no later than 7/18/14.  Just mention group code DH Seminars when booking your reservation.
Sign up TODAY, this class is filling up quickly ------ you can call Mary at(845) 291-7104 or simply click on the link to register and pay onlinehttp://www.dhseminars.net/paypalclassreg.htm.  The cost of this class is $685 and $585 for the 2nd person from the same company. This is going to an awesome class you don't want to miss ------ make a move to improve!  Look forward to seeing you in August! 
Best regards, 
Doug Heiferman
IICRC Approved Instructor - Carpet, Upholstery, Odor Removal
WoolSafe Approved Wool Fiber Care Specialist

IICRC Master Textile Cleaner
IICRC Odor Removal Tech
FCITS Carpet Inspector
DH Seminars
phone 845.291.7104