One peculiarity of Tumi is deliberate overpricing: not only are the prices high to begin with, you never see any meaningful sales in luggage stores. In contrast, the same shops have regular seasonal sales on Briggs & Riley which is not only just as well made but offers a far better warranty than Tumi.
Quote:
My friend claimed she had seen them for less at a TJ Maxx, but no idea if she was mistaken.
If so, it was probably a one time chance sighting of some Tumi pieces. I doubt that you could go plan to into a TJ Maxx store and browse and select from Tumi offerings.
Programs: NW Gold Elite, DL, HH, Victoria Court Select Member
Posts: 628
I switched to the eBags line of luggage. I use the Mother Lode and Mother Lode Jr. for checked bags, assuming I need both. They are well constructed, stylish and an excellent value for the money. Before investing in the eBags, I had bought a 5 piece set from Samsonite. The larger bag fell apart on it's first international trip and the whole set was showing serious wear and tear. I haven't had this problem with the eBags. They've enthusiastically gone on several Trans-Pacific journeys and still look brand new. Highly recommend to anyone looking for durable luggage.
__________________
Morality, like art, means drawing a line somewhere!
Lands End (landsend.com) has great luggage. Plus they have a satisfaction guaranteed policy. So, even if you have used an item, if you decide you don't like it, you can return it. Don't know how long that lasts after a purchase though. I also like Costco's Kirkland Signature brand and Samsonite. The good thing with Costco is that at any time if you are not satisfied (ie, it breaks) you can return it no questions asked. Costco is the best.
Programs: NW Gold Elite, DL, HH, Victoria Court Select Member
Posts: 628
Quote:
Originally Posted by HERCEGflyer
Lands End (landsend.com) has great luggage. Plus they have a satisfaction guaranteed policy. So, even if you have used an item, if you decide you don't like it, you can return it. Don't know how long that lasts after a purchase though. I also like Costco's Kirkland Signature brand and Samsonite. The good thing with Costco is that at any time if you are not satisfied (ie, it breaks) you can return it no questions asked. Costco is the best.
Lands End is good. I have a friend who swears by it. They offer a variety of bags. I was amazed to see how many bags are available from LE.
__________________
Morality, like art, means drawing a line somewhere!
Programs: NW-Plat, SPG-Gold, IC Hotels-Gold, National Emerald Exec.
Posts: 2,120
I've been using a Kirkland (Costco) 22" rollaboard for about three years and it is working great. It has done a dozen or so trans Atlantic trips plus a domestic one or twice a month. Other than some scratches on the plastic guards (from dragging up stairs) it looks brand new. And it came in ugly olive green - I've only seen one other matching bag. Also expandable by a few inches for all those things you pick up on trips.
It is a little heavy, but the newer ones do advertize 30% lighter or something like that. They also have a large (30"?) wheeled checked bag. I noticed they now carry them in ugly brown, ugly light blue and red in addition to the standard black.
I also like Ebags. I've got a Weekender Convertable that is the same size as a rollaboard but holds more since it has no wheels. It does not get as much use, but is very well constructed.
I have to vote Briggs and Riley. I used to be a Tumi fan, but I had a laptop bag that started coming apart on a couple of seams. Repairing it would have cost a fortune. That was only one bag so I can't say it was a pattern, though.
Programs: AA Gold, *wood Gold, Hilton Honors Silver
Posts: 787
Quote:
Originally Posted by The NWA kid
I'm surprised others haven't mentioned it. I'm a big fan of Samsonite. Their hard case suitcases are superior and can take a real beating. I really loan them up with heavy things up to the max on my trans pacific flights.
I'd love thoughts on the best large hard-sided luggage, preferrably wheeled, Samsonite or otherwise We're going over the pond this summer for the first time and Mr. Zipadee is insisting on getting hard-sided for him (would be his only checked bag) to bring back alcohol in (I think he's being silly but I'm accepting it for reason below). I'm thinking $300 is our limit but could be persuaded to go higher.
I'm inheriting his Samsonite soft pullman, which is much bigger than my main Samsonite pullman (I have a garmet bag pullman but three pullmans is too much for overseas). I have Samsonite overnight bags I normally choose from to bring on the plane but thinking with trains and escalators and stairs and and flying back to the states from LGW so purse will have to fit into my carry on etc. I might be better off with a backpack. Any good roomy comfortable backpacks to suggest that would meet the London airport standards. Thanks in advance.
The Travelpro Platinum5 has a warranty that covers damage caused when a common carrier mishandles your bag. Does anyone know if this is a lifetime warranty? Is it as good as the Briggs & Riley warranty?
I have the MD work duffle (for checking in) using the messenger bag in the cabin and then the Work bag for short trips when I don't have to check anything in. Have to say it's much more robust than it looks. Had the 3 bags for a while now and no complaints at all. They also just have a little extra something when you see them...often find myself admiring someone else's luggage and then realising it too is Mandarina Duck!
I've been using a Kirkland (Costco) 22" rollaboard for about three years and it is working great. It has done a dozen or so trans Atlantic trips plus a domestic one or twice a month. Other than some scratches on the plastic guards (from dragging up stairs) it looks brand new. And it came in ugly olive green - I've only seen one other matching bag. Also expandable by a few inches for all those things you pick up on trips.
It is a little heavy, but the newer ones do advertize 30% lighter or something like that. They also have a large (30"?) wheeled checked bag. I noticed they now carry them in ugly brown, ugly light blue and red in addition to the standard black.
I also like Ebags. I've got a Weekender Convertable that is the same size as a rollaboard but holds more since it has no wheels. It does not get as much use, but is very well constructed.
I was waiting and surprised no one mentioned Kirkland-Costco earlier. I had the 22" for three years, but it was simply too heavy, despite it's excellent quality. Last year they started selling the 20"....and lighter materials too (I also believe last year they started selling their 22" lighter too) and I couldn't be happier with it. No problem whatsoever and I travel every week. Of course the best reason to buy this luggage is if something goes wrong I can rest assured I can go right back to Costco and have a new one no questions asked in 15 minutes
I think Tumi is overrated. I have a Tumi laptop bag and it was pretty frickin' hard to shell over almost $300 for a nylon bag and now after one year the handle is starting to pull from the seams.
IMO, I think Kirkland offers the highest quality luggage out there.
Samsonite Spinner!!!!!
They are so easy to maneuver. Push them sideways ahead of you down the aisle in the plane. Glide them along next to you just by laying your hand on the handle. My shoulders and back love me for getting one.
Programs: AA Platinum 2-million miler, BA Gold, 100K miles on virtually every other airline
Posts: 657
I have Tumi, B&R, Kirkland, Andiamo, Pathfinder and Travelpro bags for me and my family (probably more like Sierra something or other).
My Tumi bags have come apart. Quality on things like the internal fabric are not good enough to justify the price. And the customer service/warranty repair folks are just rude. I'd stay away. You are paying for prestige. I use a Tumi messenger bag and the internal fabric is ripping. Plus, a Tumi garment bag was stolen (but not sure that was due to the luxe factor).
I want to like Briggs and Riley. Their warranty and workmanship are great, but I think their design is weak. Their rolling bags seem to have less storage space. I tried to get their rolling garment bag, but remarkably it didn't fit a suit for a 6'1" man. You'd need a third fold a few inches from the bottom. [I got the Pathfinder instead and it works well].
My family uses the Kirkland rolling bags and they are pretty good, though I don't love the wheels or the way they store the folded garments.
My work horse rolling bag is a Travelpro. In the last five weeks, it has been to Houston, Paris, London one week, San Diego the next, London the next, and then Melbourne/Sydney/Melbourne the following two weeks. My first one lasted 10 years. The only problem I had was the zipper pulls came off. The second one looks good too.
I've returned Andiamo bags and lesser bags for my kids (Ricardo).
Anyway, I'm happiest with the Travelpro rolling bag. It is slightly bigger than the 45" limit, but I've never had a problem getting it on (once on Air France, I think).
The four wheel Samsonite would be interesting but I like a softer flexible bag.
Programs: AA Platinum 2-million miler, BA Gold, 100K miles on virtually every other airline
Posts: 657
I have Tumi, B&R, Kirkland, Andiamo, Pathfinder and Travelpro bags for me and my family (probably more like Sierra something or other).
My Tumi bags have come apart. Quality on things like the internal fabric are not good enough to justify the price. And the customer service/warranty repair folks are just rude. I'd stay away. You are paying for prestige. I use a Tumi messenger bag and the internal fabric is ripping. Plus, a Tumi garment bag was stolen (but not sure that was due to the luxe factor).
I want to like Briggs and Riley. Their warranty and workmanship are great, but I think their design is weak. Their rolling bags seem to have less storage space. I tried to get their rolling garment bag, but remarkably it didn't fit a suit for a 6'1" man. You'd need a third fold a few inches from the bottom. [I got the Pathfinder instead and it works well].
My family uses the Kirkland rolling bags and they are pretty good, though I don't love the wheels or the way they store the folded garments.
My work horse rolling bag is a Travelpro. In the last five weeks, it has been to Houston, Paris, London one week, San Diego the next, London the next, and then Melbourne/Sydney/Melbourne the following two weeks. My first one lasted 10 years. The only problem I had was the zipper pulls came off. The second one looks good too.
I've returned Andiamo bags and lesser bags for my kids (Ricardo).
Anyway, I'm happiest with the Travelpro rolling bag. It is slightly bigger than the 45" limit, but I've never had a problem getting it on (once on Air France, I think).
The four wheel Samsonite would be interesting but I like a softer flexible bag.
