Originally Posted by
Buster
If you're not very hard on luggage, it's probably fine. My husband had a Samsonite checked spinner that we bought from TJ Maxx and it got destroyed in 2 trips. I took it to my trusty luggage repair guy (who does Samsonite warranty work) and he said that Samsonite makes special cheaper lines for sale at Marshalls, Ross & TJ Maxx. He said that if you want Samsonite, you should buy it from a luggage retailer or a Macy's, etc. He also said that Tumi & Victorinox are safe to buy from Marshalls & TJ Maxx because they are closeouts, not cheaper made lines.
Again, if you're using it as a carry-on, you've got more control than with checked luggage, and you're probably fine.
This is really interesting to find out. I had a samsonite i bought at Ross that died 4 years after i bought it. BA broke the frame but replaced it with a samsonite off the website.. which, ironically, lasted 2 long haul flights before it broke (first the plastic that holds the bits together on the way there broke then on the way back, the case arrived with massive cracks).. BA replaced that one too.