Buying a new luggage set

[Twilight Terror]

Everyone here is always so well versed in travel to and from Disney that this seemed like the best place to ask.

We are in need of buying some decent luggage this year. For our past two holidays, we've bought new luggage for each, but it's been the cheap 3-piece sets for no more than £30. Needless to say, you get what you pay for, and they lasted just the one trip each.

Now, we are looking to buy some decent luggage, perhaps a named brand like Samsonite rather than Woolworths own!, that is lightweight, decent and going to, in the words of Hercules, 'go the distance'!

So does anyone know where we can buy decent luggage sets, either a 3 or 5-piece, for a reasonable amount of money, but is going to survive an annual trip to Disney for the next 10yrs??? Thanks!

All suggestions welcomed!

[Young Pooh]

I've got cases from both M&S and the Tripp range at Debenhams. Whilst you buy rather individual cases rather than a set, I have found these to be good.

Debenhams always have luggage at 50% off in the sales so it may be worth waiting until January if you can.

Also, when I got mine from M&S, they had an offer 3 for 2. I think this is something that they do repeat from time to time.

[OrlandoMagic]

Try this site:

http://www.tripp.co.uk/index.cfm

some good deals on quality bags here. Im looking for some at the moment too. :)

[Ann B]

I usually but Antler luggage and it lasts pretty well. I try to get mine out of a designer factory outlet. Our local one has a samsonite shop and an antler shop. Usually just last years design etc.

Hope this helps

Ann

[orangetiggs]

tripp luggage is really good from debenhams. we got some a few years back and we are only looking to replcae one as continetal damaged one, its fine as we have travelled with it several times but its our wedding next year and I want a new set

[Twilight Terror]

Thanks for the replies guys. We're not going until September, so I'm not limited by time at the moment. I will definitely keep a look out during those January sales though. My mum also has a Outlet Shopping Centre near her, so I might send her shopping there in the New Year! :goodvibes

[AliceGardner]

A 5 piece Samsonite "set" could easily set you back near £1000 (samsonite don't tend to sell in sets - you buy the individual pieces). Not worth it in my opinion (as flashy accesories go, you don't spend much time flashing them AND they can easily get scrapped or damaged - since they get thrown around a lot by baggage handlers...)

I second previous posters suggestions regarding "own brands" (M&S, Debenhams, our current really nice suitcases are from John Lewis) - they tend to be at LEAST as well made as things like Samsonite (our previous set was Samsonite), look good and are often 1/2 or 1/3 or evenless of the cost of something like Samsonite.

Yes, to a certain extent, you do get what you pay for... BUT you can also pay a premium just for a "name"/"brand".

Alice

[Neoshoegal]

we've got a Samsonite suitcase and it has lasted for about 15 years now and still in perfect condition. We also bought a similar Carlton hard case one 2 years ago and although it's very though, it just isn't the same quality as the Samsonite one. I'm sticking to Samsonite. They may cost a lot more but they last forever and with that suitcase I'm not worried if it and the content of the suitcase are going to be intact when I reach my destination.

[Twilight Terror]

Thanks Alice.

Yeah, I'm not wanting to spend THAT much on suitcases! I just picked Samsonite as an example. I'd be happy to buy an own-brand, as long as the quality is as good as a named brand like Samsonite. I'm fed up of buying the cheap own brands and getting exactly what I pay for - luggage that breaks within one trip!

At the moment M&S and Debenhams seem to be coming up trumps, so at the moment, I'm thinking of giving their own brands a try!

[PhilReid]

We bought some Samsonite cases last year at one of the malls in Florida

http://www.ebags.co.uk/samsonite/xion_wheeled_duffel_83cm/product_detail/index.cfm?modelid=72737

They were on offer, buy one, get one half price.

We ended up with a large and a medium, don't remember the exact sizes, but the large one is huge.

I think we paid about $250 for both.

[Beep]

We were in dire need of some new cases and I bought 2 large expandable ones from Matalan. They are relatively light-weight and have been used five times now. They still look as good.

The only thing we didn't think about at the time is that, as they are large, we don't tend to fill them due to baggage weight and they sink on the top. It hasn't made any difference at all and we are really pleased with the quality.

They were about £25 each in the half price sale.

Some friends of ours use the ones that look like a huge sports bag and they reckon they are the best luggage they have bought. I can't remember the make but they were more expensive than ours and very good quality. The advantage for our friends is that they are very light-weight compared to a traditional case.

When we buy some new luggage we might consider these. They also fold up nice and flat for storage.

[Claire L]

Samosite are very good, our hard sided case has lasted for 12 trips now, even though it got damaged on one Samsoite provided the replacement clasp free of charge :thumbsup2 Also we now have two soft Samsonite duffle bags and they are very strong and sturdy :)

Claire ;)

[AliceGardner]

we've got a Samsonite suitcase and it has lasted for about 15 years now and still in perfect condition. We also bought a similar Carlton hard case one 2 years ago and although it's very though, it just isn't the same quality as the Samsonite one. I'm sticking to Samsonite. They may cost a lot more but they last forever and with that suitcase I'm not worried if it and the content of the suitcase are going to be intact when I reach my destination.

Not sure if you were very lucky or we have just not been so lucky...

As I said, our previous suitcases were Samsonite. They lasted about 3 years of pretty reasonable travelling (probably 6 flights a year). So were "retired" after maybe 9 round trips.

Within a year, one of the cases had the samsonite badge ripped off the front (at check-in, by the conveyor belt as it was pulled on). After 3 years, one of the suitcases got lost (by BA) and when it was returned to us (a week later) the top handle was completely broken. So that signalled it's retirement, but they were both pretty battered by then - so we opted to replace both of them.

It may have been that we were unlucky (and our cases received particularly brutal treatment). It may be that our cases travel more than others. It may be that Samsonite have starting making their suitcases a little more "consumable" (i.e. the current ones don't last quite as long as the ones made 15 years ago...).

Whatever the reason, I don't tend to expect suitcases to last more than 3 or 4 years. I also don't tend to expect them to look good for long (i.e. they get beaten-up, scratched, dirty etc). So I tend to buy accordingly: something with good reviews that is robust, but nothing too expensive (because it will only be painful when it gets damaged etc) and nothing too pretty ("baby pink cases" wouldn't stay baby pink for long :sad2: ).

Alice

[disneydopey]

We will be getting new cases for our next trip Summer 08 too. The weight of the cases seems to be the key for the airlines so we are going to buy 4 middle sized cases which will leave a little room for goodies on the return journey. Get as light a case as possible and avoid the biggest cases as they will reach the weight limit quickly and only be half full!:goodvibes :goodvibes

[Twilight Terror]

Weight doesn't seem to be an issue for us. We don't take that much with us. Last year, on the way out at least! :lmao: our two suitcases added together didn't even make the weight allowance of one! On the way back however, we had 5 cases (some had been inside the others on the way out) and had to buy an extra holdal from Disney! :goodvibes We shall get 3 mid-sized cases I think. Funnily enough, despite the cases of past sets breaking, the tiny ones are still fine!

[Neoshoegal]

Not sure if you were very lucky or we have just not been so lucky...

As I said, our previous suitcases were Samsonite. They lasted about 3 years of pretty reasonable travelling (probably 6 flights a year). So were "retired" after maybe 9 round trips.

Within a year, one of the cases had the samsonite badge ripped off the front (at check-in, by the conveyor belt as it was pulled on). After 3 years, one of the suitcases got lost (by BA) and when it was returned to us (a week later) the top handle was completely broken. So that signalled it's retirement, but they were both pretty battered by then - so we opted to replace both of them.

It may have been that we were unlucky (and our cases received particularly brutal treatment). It may be that our cases travel more than others. It may be that Samsonite have starting making their suitcases a little more "consumable" (i.e. the current ones don't last quite as long as the ones made 15 years ago...).

Whatever the reason, I don't tend to expect suitcases to last more than 3 or 4 years. I also don't tend to expect them to look good for long (i.e. they get beaten-up, scratched, dirty etc). So I tend to buy accordingly: something with good reviews that is robust, but nothing too expensive (because it will only be painful when it gets damaged etc) and nothing too pretty ("baby pink cases" wouldn't stay baby pink for long :sad2: ).

Alice

Sorry to hear you haven't been so lucky with your Samsonite luggage. I do seem to remember hearing that Samsonite give a lifetime warranty (don't quote me on this, I don't know this for sure). It might have been worth contacting them though.

[gilld]

We have had Antler luggage for over 10 years. They cost over £500 when we bought them and despite several holidays each year, they are just like new. It's a shame really, since I'd really like a change of colour!

[AliceGardner]

Sorry to hear you haven't been so lucky with your Samsonite luggage. I do seem to remember hearing that Samsonite give a lifetime warranty (don't quote me on this, I don't know this for sure). It might have been worth contacting them though.

Thanks Neoshoegal :)

Yes I probably could have claimed - probably against the airline - but we cut our losses at the time. I believe that the Samsonite guarantee doesn't cover their luggage against damage during air travel (http://www.samsonitecompanystores.com/webapp/scs/servlet/SGeneralWarrantyView?langId=-1&storeId=10151).

I already had my hands full with various other claims (for the delayed luggage) and it had been a difficult time anyway (family funeral), so we just cut our losses and bought new ones

It was a couple of years back now, but I agree with you - probably could have got a replacement case out of someone.

Alice

[disneydopey]

Me and my husband usually manage all our clothes in one case but the two kids take double the amount we do!! Perhaps we should leave them at home next time!! Can you imagine them letting us do that!:rotfl2: