The rug we purchased arrived in a timely manner and was double bagged for protection. It laid flat shortly after unrolling the rug. The backing is a fabric, maybe cotton. I'm using a rug pad to give extra cushioning and prevent slipping which helps. I really like the blues in the rug. There are so many variations of blue you can combine it with a variety of colors and decor. So far, it sheds but not as much as I expected, being a wool rug. The wool feels nice to the touch, not as itchy as other wool rugs. Overall, I am happy with my purchase, price, and quality of the rug. 

Pros: nice quality, interesting pattern, great colors
Cons: snagged easily when I vacuumed but I snipped the snag and it blended in nicely