Repairing Rolling Luggage?

[poohs_hunny]

I have a full-sized rolling suitcase that a few years back I painted with the Classic Pooh characters. It survived several trips to WDW and still looks great. During the summer, I loaned the suitcase to my parents for a trip to Aruba since my dad didn't have any rolling luggage. Well, I don't know what their airline did to the luggage, but both of their suitcases were damaged. As for mine, the plastic/metal pull-up handle was broken completely apart. So now, the handle doesn't pull up. I can still roll the luggage by pulling it by the small fabric handle on top, but it is not very convenient. Now, if this was any other piece of luggage, I'd just trash it and get a new one. But I spent a long time painting it, and I can't give it up! Is there any way to fix this? It seems like if that part was replaced, it would work fine. Any ideas on where to bring it and what it may cost to fix it? Thanks for any help!

 

[bavaria]

A good luggage company like Samsonite will have warranties, but they don't cover normal wear and tear. Samonsite did replace my last set with two pieces which retail over $800 (a higher end line)

HOWEVER that was after me twice paying to have repairs done which were not reimbursed because they were considered normal wear and tear, and only when Samsonite recognized the failure of that particular product line. A luggage repair place charged me $35 each time to make what were essentially minor repairs.

Cheap luggage does not last. There is a vast difference in product quality in luggage, and as I travel more than 150,000 miles/year I only buy quality luggage.

Most department store, discount store luggage etc will only last for a dozen flights or so before it begins to break. Normal wear and tear is broken wheels, broken handles, rips and tears. Airlines will not reimburse for this either.

 

[swilshire]

The zipper broke on my favorite carry on bag just weeks after I had paid the luggage store (too much) to reattach a foot that was loose on one side.

I decided to order my new one from LL Bean. It was more expensive than others I saw, but their guarantee can't be beat. If you're not satisfied, ever, you get a refund.

I have their credit card, so I even get free shipping and free return shipping on returns. That was a very smart move on their part because I find myself ordering things just to look at them thinking I'll return them and I never do.

Sheila