Need luggage opinions please!

[cruisnfamily]

Ok, here's the story: We have two HUGE hard sided suitcases that we can easily pack our family of 4 into for most week long trips. Over the past 3 years or so we've been traveling more and more and find these cumbersome and annoying. We've decided to switch over to the cloth sided "carry on" style bag that the handles come up out of....you know what I'm talking about right? Anyway, I figure we need 3 of these and the sets seem to come with ones that are approx 30", 27", & 21" or thereabouts. Now, here's the question:

I can get one of these sets for about $80-$100 which is pretty cheap but I can tell that the handles aren't destined to have a very long life, they seem kind of cheap. The suitcases them selves seem just as high quality as the more expensive stuff. The more expensive stuff(with quality handles) seem to run around $200 or more.

Would you:
a)buy the cheap stuff and plan to replace it in a few years

Or

b)go ahead and invest the money now in good stuff and know it will last longer

 

[~Sparkly~Zoe]

Have you checked either JCPenney or Kohl's? They have some nice luggage and usually have it on sale to boot. Why not get a "middle" kind of luggage?

 

[rasnlms]

Go for quality - but look for a sale. There should be sales starting for labor day soon.

 

[BCVOwner2002]

I'd go for quality too! There is a Samsonite Outlet Store at the Orlando Premium Outlet in Orlando, FL. Good luck. Annmarie

 

[Jenn Lynn]

DH and I both got our luggage at Kohl's. We each have the medium size and they are soft sided.

I have had mine since High School (7 years) and it is holding up really well. Mine is Ricardo something. I can't remember right now, but it is the red luggage that Kohl's carries. LOL! When I got it I didn't care about quality , I just wanted red!

DH has had his for about 3 years and it is also holding up really well. He has a green Samsonite.

 

[JDY]

Get something good...it really makes a difference. I suggest trying www.ebags.com

I got a really great set of semi-hard sided luggage for about 1/3 of the cost at a local department store.

 

[WebmasterAlex]

I like the travelpro...

 

[DocRafiki]

Get good quality, and get it cheap! (I didn't vote)

outlets, online, sales... I love my luggage; I got it at Ross. Having stuff that you like makes traveling so much more tolerable.

 

[BCVOwner2002]

I should've added we used carry ons for our last trip and it was great to get off the plane and not have to wait for our luggage to come off the plane. If you are purchasing new luggage you may want to keep this in mind because most of the multi-sets have 3 or 4 different sizes rather than being able to get 3 or 4 of the same size. Annmarie

 

[Tinkerbellish]

I use Ricardo Beverly Hills...pretty good stuff.

 

[DonnaS]

IMO the most important part on those wheeled bags is the wheels. Pay more for good wheels.

 

[CarolA]

I bought my mother a cheap piece of luggage about 8 years ago. It just died.

Now she only travels a few times a year so that makes a difference.

I travel weekly and I have TravelPro, but I would not buy it for her.

The handles on the good stuff break too. I have never had a wheel problem, but have replaced the luggage several times due to handles. However, with weekly travel handles seem to last a few years so you should be in good shape.

 

[Nutsy]

Definately quality, but you don't need top ot the range stuff tho...........

 

[shep]

Go for the quality stuff...
You seem to travel a lot...It would be worth it in the long run..