mec72

My suitcase arrived damaged after a recent BA flight (cracks in hard shell). As usual, BA is using K2 for baggage issues. K2 tells me that if the suitcase is 2 years old, I need to discount 20% of the original value per year - so they can give me 60%... What's ironic is that the suitcase that got damaged was already a replacement suitcase from BA for an identical one that got damaged 2 years ago (when I also heard the 20% mantra from K2...).
Has anyone tried to challenge this?
This is extremely frustrating - I obviously wouldn't be changing my suitcase every two years if it hadn't been for BA damaging it... Annoying if I need to make a 40% co-pay every time. Suitcase wasn't brand new, yes, but was otherwise perfectly fine and I would keep using it!

paul21

Would you change your suitcase every 5 years?

HIDDY

I think it's fair. Although I'd love to know how they know you're telling the truth when you bought it and the price paid?

mrow

No, not unless it gets damaged by an airline. I have some Tumi luggage that is over 10 years old and still going strong.

LCY8737

Difficult to argue if OP got that suitcase from K2

ratechaser

I've got bags that are 20+ years old. I'm now scared that if BA lost one, I'd end up with a bill from them to replace it!

So no, I think 20% per year is excessive. I bet a lot of decent luggage brands guarantee their products for more than 5 years as well...

Duck1981

I really don't think that Rimowa luggage would depreciate by 20% a year? But I guess there is no chance to explain this to them (just in case)?

brightstar100

Also, we send Tumi luggage in for repairs. So, it may be 8 or 10 years old, but has been "serviced" along the way, and has plenty of life left in it.

denhaagflyer

Times have really changed. I remember some 17 years ago or so, when still living in US, bag arrived late, was delivered to house and damaged. Reported it to BA, local office (IAD) called, asked what brand, type of suitcase - next morning a new suitcase was delivered.

OddJobMan

I bought 2 new cases 2 years ago just before Covid kicked off and they have never been used. There is no way that they are only worth 60% of their original value.

000

It's outrageous and last time they tried this on me, IIRC, it was 10% per year.

Some of K2's policies are dictated by the airline, so worth asking if it is a K2 or BA policy, and then proceed from there.

There is nothing that requires you, ultimately, to deal with K2.

RGS5526

Even if 20% per year depreciation is accepted, it should be applied to the residual value at the end of each year. (Compound interest rather than simple interest.) After 2 years the residual value should be 64% of the original price, rather than 60%; after three years 51.2% rather than 40%.

Of course the 20% base rate is ridiculously high. I have one suitcase that has supported my travels at Silver-maintaining levels for over 20 years and is capable for going on for a few years yet.

FlyingUnderTheRadar

If you want to challenge it you need to find comparables. Goto eBay or some other market place and look at the recent sold prices.

bwallet

Briggs and Riley. It costs a lot, but it has a lifetime warranty with no questions asked on how it got damaged. I'd freaking lose my mind if BA tried to claim depreciation on my luggage.

qgpv

My understanding is that BA is not allowed to downgrade the compensation on damaged luggage. In article 26 of the Montreal convention is stated:
Article 26 � Invalidity of Contractual ProvisionsAny provision tending to relieve the carrier of liability or to fix a lower limit than that which is laid down in this Convention shall be null and void, but the nullity of any such provision does not involve the nullity of the whole contract, which shall remain subject to the provisions of this Convention.