Yes, reading the moronic postings which have been made makes me realise how I was taken in but at the time, especially as I had gone on a visit arranged by a VERY reputable organisation, Mr Nick Wrightsman's Tapestry Holidays, it all seemed like a wise investment.
Just to clear one thing up, I haven't left it seven years. Before I got the carpet in the UK I started querying the fact that they still hadn't sent me the Certificate of Authenticity. As soon as I received the carpet and photographed it I offerred it for verification through several specialists here in the UK, including the auction house Bonhams. All were uncertain as to whether it was a Hereke carpet or not. Since my retirement I have been trying to further this via the Turkish Office in London and through the "Honorary Consulate" in Fethiye, but what a waste of space they are!
I am simply trying to establish from any local Brit from the Fethiye area whether or not this so called "Government Carpet Factory at Saklikent Yolu Kadikoy" still exists. Can any sensible resident of that area help?
My advice to anyone is never buy a Turkish carpet.