This is why I'd like to see them in person. I actually bought a runner for super cheap on RugsUSA a while ago and it is thick and soft and beautiful but is hand tufted and sheds like crazy. Other than that, though, I love it.
I'd like to buy a hand hooked one, but really need to see it in person first because it was fine to take the risk on a $50 rug but not on a $500 one.