Does anyone have experience with the service DUFL?
May 1, 2015, 6:47 am
#1
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Does anyone have experience with the service DUFL?
I'm not in any way associated with them, even as a customer. I just learned about them from a web feed I get daily with new iPhone apps, which they are based around. As I understand it, you sign up, they send you a bag. You fill it and send it back to them. Then before your trip you go online, pick what you want from your clothes and send them your travel info. You suitcase meets you at your hotel. At the end of the trip you ship the filled suitcase back to them. They clean the clothes, and store them until your next trip. I'm fascinated by the concept and I would love to get feedback from anyone here with experience with it or even just your general thoughts on it. Here is their website. Thanks.
http://www.dufl.com/
http://www.dufl.com/
May 1, 2015, 7:50 am
#2
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An interesting concept... but not sure it makes financial sense. You have the $10 monthly fee.... and the $100 per round trip fee. That could add up.... granted it includes cleaning and storage.
But, I guess I do not want to risk not having my bag when I arrive somewhere... or what if there is a change in travel plans? Or trip in vain? I still have to pay for the round trip.
I also do not want to have to go online to tell them what I want delivered. Then, I still have to pack it up and arrange to have it shipped back.
In addition, many hotel will charge an additional fee to accept and hold the bag.
Could get very expensive.
I could never really see taking advantage of this service.
But, I guess I do not want to risk not having my bag when I arrive somewhere... or what if there is a change in travel plans? Or trip in vain? I still have to pay for the round trip.
I also do not want to have to go online to tell them what I want delivered. Then, I still have to pack it up and arrange to have it shipped back.
In addition, many hotel will charge an additional fee to accept and hold the bag.
Could get very expensive.
I could never really see taking advantage of this service.
May 1, 2015, 2:27 pm
#3
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In answer to the OP's question - no - just saw the same feed today and had the same question.
But I do find the idea intriguing. I have had times where I few multiple back-to-back trips. Sometimes I got off the plane, went to my car and switched bags and then went back in and boarded the same plane I flew in on 30 minutes prior. Other times I used the hotel's cleaning service and, worst case, I shipped dirty clothes via FedEx and received clean one the same way at the next hotel.
I suspect there is limited appeal - but I'll be interested to see if anyone has tried it and can report.
But I do find the idea intriguing. I have had times where I few multiple back-to-back trips. Sometimes I got off the plane, went to my car and switched bags and then went back in and boarded the same plane I flew in on 30 minutes prior. Other times I used the hotel's cleaning service and, worst case, I shipped dirty clothes via FedEx and received clean one the same way at the next hotel.
I suspect there is limited appeal - but I'll be interested to see if anyone has tried it and can report.
May 3, 2015, 12:49 pm
#4
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I haven't tried it, but have you looked at their user agreement? It is possibly the most customer-unfriendly agreement I have ever seen.
-- It entitles them to change the agreement with no notice at all. "We may revise these Terms at any time by posting an updated version, although we will endeavor to provide you with prior notice of any material changes to these Terms. You should visit this page periodically to review the most current Terms...."
-- It limits their maximum liability to $1,000. Don't send them a good suit!
-- It farms out as much responsibility as they can think of on their unspecified third-party service providers (who handle the shipment, laundry, dry-cleaning, etc -- pretty much everything except the app). Even that measly reimbursement is not in cash but in a service credit. You also agree to be subject to the completely unspecified terms of those third-parties.
-- It prohibits any customer from complaining about them publicly or to anyone else. "You agree not to restrict, discourage or inhibit any person from using the Service."
-- It does not even make it clear that you retain ownership of your own clothes. If they go bankrupt, you may never see them again.
-- If you cancel a trip even before the items are shipped, you owe them a cancellation fee.
-- If you've found something unfair or illegal that adversely affects all customers and want to start a class action, forget it, you have signed that right away as part of the agreement.
And so on!
Oh, it also only runs on IOS. Android users are spared for now.
-- It entitles them to change the agreement with no notice at all. "We may revise these Terms at any time by posting an updated version, although we will endeavor to provide you with prior notice of any material changes to these Terms. You should visit this page periodically to review the most current Terms...."
-- It limits their maximum liability to $1,000. Don't send them a good suit!
-- It farms out as much responsibility as they can think of on their unspecified third-party service providers (who handle the shipment, laundry, dry-cleaning, etc -- pretty much everything except the app). Even that measly reimbursement is not in cash but in a service credit. You also agree to be subject to the completely unspecified terms of those third-parties.
-- It prohibits any customer from complaining about them publicly or to anyone else. "You agree not to restrict, discourage or inhibit any person from using the Service."
-- It does not even make it clear that you retain ownership of your own clothes. If they go bankrupt, you may never see them again.
-- If you cancel a trip even before the items are shipped, you owe them a cancellation fee.
-- If you've found something unfair or illegal that adversely affects all customers and want to start a class action, forget it, you have signed that right away as part of the agreement.
And so on!
Oh, it also only runs on IOS. Android users are spared for now.
May 3, 2015, 1:08 pm
#5
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$10 a month for storage? introductory pricing? unbelievably bad storage site?
http://www.garderobeonline.com/ started long before "apps" but very expensive
there are/were others as well, cant remember names
for delivery, not storage, there is http://www.luggageforward.com/
there are/were others as well, cant remember names
for delivery, not storage, there is http://www.luggageforward.com/
May 3, 2015, 1:40 pm
#6
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Thanks for the feedback everyone. There are also the airline delivery services. I got a free trial from AA I might take advantage of. Have anyone used them? Give them your bag at check in and it shows at your hotel or home. About $30 as I recall.
May 3, 2015, 1:51 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2013
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I guess $30 is cheaper than a FedEx overnight, but still, are we incapable of carrying our own suitcases?
As to DUFL -- stupid, but stupider services have made it big (and, in so doing, become smart) in the startup universe. I think the service would be more useful if they provided clothes instead of tying up your own clothes. You send them your measurements (e.g., 15 neck/33 sleeve/32 waist/30 inseam/7.5D dress shoe) and they rent you generic but well-pressed business attire. They should also partner more closely with hotels so that clothes are unpacked and in your closet instead of in a cardboard box at the front desk.
As to DUFL -- stupid, but stupider services have made it big (and, in so doing, become smart) in the startup universe. I think the service would be more useful if they provided clothes instead of tying up your own clothes. You send them your measurements (e.g., 15 neck/33 sleeve/32 waist/30 inseam/7.5D dress shoe) and they rent you generic but well-pressed business attire. They should also partner more closely with hotels so that clothes are unpacked and in your closet instead of in a cardboard box at the front desk.
May 3, 2015, 2:14 pm
#8
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http://www.bagsinc.com/corporate/about
2006 article - http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/trave...age-usat_x.htm >
Cargo service resellers...Luggage Forward...are resellers. They pick up customers' bags a few days in advance and ship to destinations using cargo carriers, such as FedEx, DHL and UPS.
Remote check-in services...Bags Inc...rely on passenger airlines, not cargo shippers.
Remote check-in services...Bags Inc...rely on passenger airlines, not cargo shippers.
Last edited by Kagehitokiri; May 3, 2015 at 2:22 pm
May 3, 2015, 2:59 pm
#9
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I guess $30 is cheaper than a FedEx overnight, but still, are we incapable of carrying our own suitcases?
As to DUFL -- stupid, but stupider services have made it big (and, in so doing, become smart) in the startup universe. I think the service would be more useful if they provided clothes instead of tying up your own clothes. You send them your measurements (e.g., 15 neck/33 sleeve/32 waist/30 inseam/7.5D dress shoe) and they rent you generic but well-pressed business attire. They should also partner more closely with hotels so that clothes are unpacked and in your closet instead of in a cardboard box at the front desk.
As to DUFL -- stupid, but stupider services have made it big (and, in so doing, become smart) in the startup universe. I think the service would be more useful if they provided clothes instead of tying up your own clothes. You send them your measurements (e.g., 15 neck/33 sleeve/32 waist/30 inseam/7.5D dress shoe) and they rent you generic but well-pressed business attire. They should also partner more closely with hotels so that clothes are unpacked and in your closet instead of in a cardboard box at the front desk.
May 9, 2015, 3:00 pm
#10
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Clearly an idea stolen directly from The Big Bang Theory - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m5pTKqKaElA
May 11, 2015, 6:38 am
#11
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This could make sense for someone who travels so much that they don't maintain a home, provided that one can store a reasonable number of clothes for different seasons and types of destinations.
Jul 18, 2016, 11:29 am
#12
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Popping this thread up again as I just signed up for DUFL using a three trip free promo code from my company. Happy to answer any questions (note I just signed up today so haven't used the service just yet).
May 4, 2017, 8:20 am
#13
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Re-POP - gooseman13 did you use it?
Very curious to hear any feedback. Haven't been on FT in years, but still get the newsletter and bounced on to search and see if anyone here was using DUFL and had thoughts. Found this ancient thread. They are based in my hometown even!
Very curious to hear any feedback. Haven't been on FT in years, but still get the newsletter and bounced on to search and see if anyone here was using DUFL and had thoughts. Found this ancient thread. They are based in my hometown even!