Friday, April 10, 2009

Tough Times Will Not Stay Forever: The Rug Market Will Improve

Yesterday our repairman and today our dye specialist expressed their serious concerns about the slow rug market. I told them I know it is difficult these days to tackle the expenses, but being worried does not solve any problem. We have to work harder in slow rug market and never lose hope. We also have to work smarter. Tough times will not stay forever. There are many customers who can afford to buy rugs or to pay for the related services, but they are not mentally ready to spend. The customers' confidence is low and as soon as this confidence is restored, they will start spending.

Khosrow Sobhe
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.RugIdea.com
310-770-9085

Thursday, April 9, 2009

A Rug Cross-Sales Technique: What Size of French Fries Would You Like?

Besides producing, importing and selling rugs, we also do rug cleaning, repair, water damage restoration and rug appraisal here in Los Angeles. When a customer gives us a business, we do cross sales by asking if he/she would like to have a rug pad to protect the rug and the floor. In many cases we can convince them that they should invest a little money for this kind of protection.

It is like when you order a hamburger in a fast food restaurant: What Size of French Fries Would You Like?

Khosrow Sobhe
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
310-770-9085

Rug and Carpet Statistics

The U.S Carpet and Rug Mills Industry's Revenue for the Year 2008 Was Approximately $10.6 Billion USD

The industry's revenue for the year 2008 was approximately $10.6 billion USD, with an estimated gross profit of 33.78%. Import was valued at $1.9 billion USD from 102 countries. The industry also exported $1.1 billion USD worth of merchandise to 138 countries. Adding import value to and subtracting export value from the industry's shipment value, the total domestic demand for the industry in 2008 was $11.4 billion USD.

Source:
http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/fb050b/carpet_and_rug_mil

For more information contact:

Research and Markets
Laura Wood
Senior Manager
press@researchandmarkets.com
Fax from USA: 646-607-1907
Fax from rest of the world: +353-1-481-1716

Khosrow Sobhe
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.RugIdea.com
310-770-9085

Wednesday, April 8, 2009

Flokati Rugs and Carpets Cleaning in Los Angeles




Flokati rugs and carpets have been a part of Greek tradition and culture for many centuries. The Greeks who lived in the high mountains invented the Flokati rugs in the 5th century. They had an easy access to sheep and goats and their wool and hair. They used Flokati rugs as clothing or bedding on the floor to keep them warm in the cold and long winters of the area. The tradition of making Flokati rugs has been continued to the present. Flokati rugs look like Shag rugs with high and soft wool pile. Although Flokati rugs have been traditional Greek floor coverings, many designers today like them and buy them for their clients. Usually young people like Flokati rugs which come in solid colors and mostly in white. Many of our customers in Los Angeles or the neighboring towns bring in their Flokati rugs for cleaning or even repair. With a clean Flokati rug, you can feel the nature and its beauty in your home. We are professional Flokati rug cleaners.

Khosrow Sobhe
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
310-770-9085

Slow Rug Market in Los Angeles

Whenever we receive business and sell rugs, we say the rug market here in Los Angeles is improving and is getting better. When we do not get business and do not sell rugs for a couple of days, we complain and say the market has been very slow!

Yesterday was a very quiet day with no rug sale, no rug cleaning/repair business and surprisingly no phone call at all. Here is my reasons why this was so: Jewish passover, schools spring break, Easter, tax season, and last but not least the recession we are in.

Of course we did not sit idle. When the market is slow, we work harder and try to be more creative. We worked on a 5,000 postcards which will be published and distributed next week. Some of these cards will be mailed and maybe half will be hand delivered to the neighbors. We did this in our rug tent sale in November 2008 and it worked; therefore, we will do it again.

Khosrow Sobhe
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
310-770-9085

Monday, April 6, 2009

Persian New Year, 13 Bedar Sizdah Bedar in Lake Balboa Park Los Angeles






Yesterday, thousands of Iranians in Los Angeles celebrated the 13th day of Spring which was the last day of Persian new year celebration Nowruz and went to the Lake Balboa Park. This was the day of the nature. There was plenty of Persian food, music and dances with many booths which sold Persian goods and services. We met many friends there and had a real good time with them. It started from 10:00 am and lasted until 8:00 pm. Roberto Sooofiani was the organizer of this event and this year Bahman Mojallal and Mohammad Mostashari of the Camden House had joined Roberto to make this one of a kind event more successful.

Khosrow Sobhe
www.RugIdea.com
310-770-9085

New Types of Shag Rugs We Receive For Cleaning and Repair in Los Angeles


We sometimes receive new types of shag rugs with have thicker and longer piles than the previous generations of them. Here, I am posting a photo of such rug we received for repair. The rug was 8 x 10 and we cut it and made it 7 x 10. It was made in India.

Khosrow Sobhe
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
310-770-9085

Shag Rug Cleaning Los Angeles



Lately we have been receiving new types of shag rugs. These are beautiful and trendy but difficult to maintain and clean. They cannot be cleaned easily with vacuum cleaners and they may have issues when they are professionally cleaned. Here, I am posting photos of a new one we received for cleaning few days ago. This particular shag rug had cotton foundation and cotton pile. We found pencils and quarter coins inside the very long pile.

Khosrow Sobhe
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
310-770-9085

Rug Selling Techniques: The Art of the Elevator Pitch

I was browsing the Internet and I stumbled upon a very good article. I am sure we rug dealers and rug enthusiasts can use this to do more business and sell more rugs or its related services. I like to share this short article with my readers.

The Art of the Elevator Pitch

Carlos Figuera
http://caniwarrior.com/

The elevator pitch is your response when someone casually asks, “What kind of work do you do?” and you give them a brief answer in roughly the time span of an elevator ride. You can have an elevator pitch for job search, marketing your business or pretty much any other situation where you need to get your message out.

The goal is to cause some kind of further action on the part of the listener. Ideally, an opportunity to further discuss your pitch. Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs are not prepared when the opportunity arises be it at a wedding reception, alumni lunch or even a chance encounter with a potential investor.

The ideal elevator pitch should be approximately 30 seconds and certainly no longer than 60 seconds. Don't explain your entire business plan. There just isn't time. You need to provide a hook to engage the listener. The first thing out of your mouth should explain the problem you solve. Remember you are not selling the drill, you are selling the hole. Once you have set the hook you can elaborate a little further.

You should constantly refine and practice your elevator pitch but make sure the preparation doesn't smother your enthusiasm for you business or product. Finally, practice in front of a mirror. Tape yourself and let others critique your pitch. It can be a humbling experience but the sting is more than made up for by increased business.

Khosrow Sobhe
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
3190770-9085

Sunday, April 5, 2009

A Rug Mistake!!



We hang an area rug on a rack outside of our rug gallery on La Cienega Blvd. every day to attract customers. The day before yesterday, I was the last one who left and closed the doors. I totally forgot to take this rug off and put it inside. When I came to work yesterday, I realized the mistake I had made. The rug was still there hanging on the rack!!Why should I forget to take the rug down and bring it back inside. Was I too busy, or it is because of the AGE?!!! :)

Khosrow Sobhe
Certified Rug Specialist (CRS)
www.LosAngelesRugCleaning.com
310-770-9085