If I was you, I would STAY FAR AWAY from these guys. They really are terrible! They will cheat you! I can think of nothing good to say about them. It is a complete scam!

Like a number of other contributors I had a terrible experience at Elegance. They were lovely and kind, I foolishly thought: endless cups of tea, lunches, dripping charm.

The credit cards were produced. I did not keep watch on what was happening.

I was stunned when I got back to Australia to discover the amounts which had been extracted.

I had the rugs valued and I paid more than three times their worth.

I felt so embarrassed to have been such a fool.

I felt betrayed, To offer hospitality to a stranger is an ancient custom, but to then rob them is a disgrace.

Be careful,

James Ridewood

I visited in April, 2012

Please do not go near this place, they are total scammers. don't be fooled by the salesman and for God's sake don't buy a carpet unless you actually know something about them. these guys have touts in front of Hagia Sophia to lure in the gullible, I was netted in, but could see through their little game, if you cannot manage to get out with your wallet intact, make any excuse, they will try almost anything to get you to buy very overpriced goods. There are honest rug salesmen in Istanbul, this is not one of them, and keep away from the grand bazaar-head down to the Arasta Bazaar, and make sure you are happy with the rug, even if you find out its a cheap Chinese knock-off otherwise you have no business buying a rug.

I never write reviews, but feel compelled to because of the amazing service I received at Elegance. The salesman, Halit, knew that I was not interested in buying right away, but even so, he spent hours educating me about carpets and showing me some of their works of art. Unlike another carpet store that I had already visited in the Grand Bazaar, I felt that Halit was absolutely honest and forthright. I left the shop that day thinking of carpet as art, rather than as a pretty floor covering. I did end up purchasing a beautiful silk carpet from Elegance after careful consideration of the alternatives and feel that I got excellent price and value. I highly recommend Elegance Carpet to fellow travellers.