If you live in or near Victoria BC and are looking to buy a new area rug, would you consider buying it on line? It's true that you can buy anything on the internet these days - everything from the latest gadget, to clothes and luxury goods. You can even buy the largest big screen TV and have it delivered.

Those that shop on line with some regularity can find anything, but does that mean that you should by everything online? Certainly you can buy some types of clothes, but you might want to try on things such as shoes or gloves or undergarments first. Should you buy artwork or one-of-a-kind artwork online?

I think that some things should be touched and inspected before purchasing items based on a picture and short description. Items including authentic or exotic wool area rugs should be carefully inspected for quality and authenticity. Here are a few more things to be aware of if you are shopping for a quality area rug:

1. Construction - How is the rug made? Is it machine-made, tufted, woven or hand knotted? These different methods indicate the quality of the rug, as well as the country of origin. Hand knotted wool rugs offer uncompromising quality while the others are simply mimics of the real thing, and some can be quite convincing. All the more reason to inspect before buying.
2. Content - Rugs may be made from many different fibers, both man-made and natural which differ widely in factors of durability, as well as color fastness and stain resistance. Thinking carefully about the intended use and required durability of each fibre is surely advisable.
3. Color - This is a big factor. Picking rugs on the basis of a photographic reproduction, either online or in a magazine, will rarely show the true color and of the genuine article. If you are color shopping, wool rugs can appear quite different in many types of lighting. The hues and subtlety of each rug is quite unique.
4. Shipping costs - Buying items online often involves shipping costs and can add substantially to the final cost. Shipping and handling for an area rug could end up being very costly. If you are ordering from another country or a foreign dealer, there are very high additional costs for exchange premiums and import duties which are not apparent at the outset but will increase the final cost by a large amount.

For these and other reasons, if you are interested in buying a quality area rug, it is far better to visit a reputable retail rug store with a knowledgeable rug dealer so that you will be able to see and feel the area rug. Knowledgeable staff can advise and help with selection based on quality and suitability, and make you aware of the full cost before you commit to the purchase. You will be satisfied knowing that your decision is a sound one, and your area rug is both suitable and of the highest quality.