Focus On: Rugs a bound

BY BILLY BRUCE
The Valdosta Daily Times

May 10, 2008 06:43 pm

— VALDOSTA — No matter what your budget, if you’re looking for quality rugs from a store that’s gaining international attention for its variety and quality, look no further than Rugs a bound at 430 Connell Road.
Owned by Mark and Erica Gaskins, the store is staffed by sales associate Ashli Scruggs and Webmaster and online sales associate Jimmy Tucker, as well as the Gaskins.
“I’ve been in the floor covering business for 10 years, working for myself, and for the prior two years before we opened here, I only did custom rugs,” main proprietor Mark Gaskins said. “We opened this store in December 2007 so we could offer our customers more. I saw the need for handmade and machine made rugs.”
Now the Rugs a bound Web site at www.rugsabound.com is gaining international attention. The site gets more than 100 hits a day from Web surfers from as far away as China and England. It’s no wonder. The store has a great collection of some of the finest rugs, made in and imported from China, India and Turkey.
“We get orders from all over the world,” Gaskins said.
“We know that you want style, quality and affordability, and we don’t think you should settle for less,” the store’s Web site states.
Gaskins says most of his business comes from south Georgia and north Florida, and said he believes Rugs a bound is the only store in the region that specializes in only rugs.
“And we’re the only full custom area shop,” Gaskins said.
While Web site business has been good, Gaskins said he concentrates on serving local clientele who mostly prefer to come into the store to get a first hand look at the possibilities. And there are many, whether your pockets are deep or shallow.
Custom work is his specialty, Gaskins said.
“We carry more than 2,000 different styles and thousands of rugs that you can come in and see,” Gaskins said. “I can do any size rug needed, and it will appear as a full area rug. I can make rugs and runners to custom shapes and sizes. Come in and get a free estimate.”

Q: Do you offer any special sales or promotions to your customers?

A: Yes. We’re having a drawing for a $500 gift certificate. And we just had a free area rug pad special with purchase, which would save you up to $100 on an 8-foot by 11-foot rug. We also offer free roll out service and we’ll always be offering special sales at different times. We have a Spring Sale going on until June 5, offering more than 15 percent off all rugs.

Q: What is your price range?

A: Yes. 8-foot by 11-foot rug starts at $349 and you can go as high as you want to.

Q: Do you do any other sort of flooring work besides rugs?

A: Yes. I do carry some hardwood. I do wall to wall carpet. We sell luxury vinyl that lasts between 30 to 50 years. We have some cork flooring too.

Q: Is there anything new in the market, rug wise that might surprise folks?

A: Shag carpet is back in, especially wool shag. It’s the vibrant colors and new modern designs that are now available that’s sparking the renewed interest.

Q: What variety of work does your custom shop handle?

A: We do blind stitching, logo rugs, beveling, custom stair runners, wide and narrow binding, fringing, surging, inlays, carving, bordering, rug backings and fabric and tapestry borders.

Q: What else is offered “free” to customers besides roll out service and estimates?

A: We do free rug consultations and offer a free measuring service.

Rugs a bound
Owners: Mark and Erica Gaskins
Address: 430 Connell Road
Phone: 229-242-9899
Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; 12 noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, closed Sunday, or by appointment

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