To clarify, I had to sit on the suitcase in order to try to get it to close (I'm not a model, but I'm a normal sized woman). It had no adverse effect on the structure in any way nor did it ever dent the surface. If you watch movies from the 50's when people's suitcases were overstuffed (which mine weren't), they would do the same as well. Yes, I agree that Rimowa did the stand up thing in not making me pay for the repair.

I'm surprised that people are perfectly fine with purchasing $1k+ luggage (a small roll aboard at that) they have to baby like china. To clarify, I treated it like a normal suitcase, it never went through any abuse (unless you consider a normally packed rolling bag being pulled up over the curb abuse) for a few years of light travel, and it was damaged to the point of no longer closing. Perhaps I should have taken it in sooner, but I didn't realize that the problem was so serious until my last trip when it wouldn't even close.

While I agree that this post is somewhat ranty in nature, I also posted from concern for the many people out there who are coveting the Topas (who wouldn't!) who would be spending 4 figures for what is ultimately a rather fragile product. Different strokes for different folks, I guess.