Originally Posted by
Filmbuff
well, that's one way that she choose to handle it though i would have done it differently.
since the bag was structurally still sound, albeit non-mobile, it sounds like it might have been still usable for the return leg. even if it was not, bring the damaged bag home via paying the [2nd] checked luggage fee and sending it in repair domestically. then it would have a merely a matter of finding the cheapest replacement suitcase/laundry bag/duffel to tide her over for the trip. a large no-name duffel bag is relatively cheap in most any place...<30 euros would probably have covered it.
there are some advantages to having a lifetime warranty and it's not entirely a marketing gimmick if you have a reputable brand standing behind it and you are willing to deal with damaged luggage emergencies appropriately.
She did look at that, but after getting the Bag Home, Briggs was going to make her pay for the shipping of her bag to New York, plus she needs a bag until her bag would be shipped back. I think the biggest hurdle was her thinking about lugging 40lbs of her belongings around, plus a empty broken bag when she only weighs (in my estimate) 110-115lbs. I would have helped, but still it wouldn't have been a fun experience, and would have required extra tips for the bellman, driver, and trying to find a cart at the Milan airport, then a cart at JFK (if they have them in the customs area, I don't remember). So the extra bag fee $50, shipping the broken bag from MN to NY, at least $35. No bag for her trip this week, nor the next few weeks???
I think she made the best decision based on her situation.
In the end, she spent a lot of money, and she put in a lot of effort to rectify the situation. Your method would have taken much more effort, and still had $85 in costs or more, plus then needing the bellman in Milan (5 euro tip, driver would need a bigger tip 5 more euros, and finding smart carts in Milan, JFK, and MSP, another $5). Since she still would need the luggage she bought to get around for then next month or so until she gets her bag back.
You might be an exception, but the statistics are that almost all of the warranty claims will come in the first year or two, then they become almost statistically irrelevant. So having a lifetime warranty, might make you feel good when you buy it, but it doesn't do much for you.
Have you ever had a warranty claim after the 1st or 2nd year on a piece of luggage?