Used suitcases at/near YVR?
 

Hello, maybe a Flyertalker has a good idea for how to find 1-2 cheap wheeled bags near YVR. Or a large backpack.

I will fly into YVR on a Tuesday 2pm without checked luggage, and continue 7 hours later on a nonstop flight (no connections).

At YVR, I want to take public transit to Costco (Richmond or Vancouver), and maybe IKEA Richmond, to buy things, then fly onwards with 1-2 checked bags. What are my best options to find cheap, wheeled suitcases, dufflebags, or other containers? I don't care if they are a writeoff after the trip, or if they are fugly. I am fine with some industrial crate on wheels. A large backpack without wheels would do, too.

Sure Costco sells nice suitcase sets for $200, but I don't want to spend that, since I have more than enough suitcases at home. I checked for thrift stores downtown, but from what I see online they are more "vintage clothing boutiques". Canadian Tire and Walmart are too far from public transit.

What does YVR do with lost suitcases that go unclaimed? Is there a Crappy Suitcase Discount in Chinatown? Some other ingenious idea? :-)

Thank you!

Lots of places I could direct you to in Victoria :)

It's been a while that I have been to Vancouver (Richmond) proper other than trip from ferry to YVR or just plain connecting at YVR :(Actually ..... a quick search shows:

Value Village

For profit thrift store, not as inexpensive as Sally Ann, but larger selection. Don't believe I've ever went to the Victoria location that they didn't have several suitcases of various sizes and prices.

Unfortunately rent is too high for non-profit thrift shops in Vancouver/Richmond/Burnaby. Not too many left and none near your shopping areas (or will be a PITA to get to)

https://bcthriftshop.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_3.html

https://bcthriftshop.blogspot.com/p/...peninsula.html

I know RAPS is still in business but I understand the SPCA site has been redeveloped. None near Costco or IKEA AFAIK. Easiest Costco to get to is RAV line to Bridgeport station and walk the 10-15 minutes to the Costco (maybe even less). IKEA is quite a ways down Bridgeport (nearly at Knight Street bridge) - Coquitlam is way too far.

7 hrs isn't that much time to go hunting for the stuff as well as shop for what you want to by and get back to the airport for the next flight..

Other suggestion would be to see if anyone is selling on craigslist (most popular buy/sell site in Vancouver area) and will meet you for delivery. Bring garbage bag/tape if you intend to pack clothes or soft stuff just in case the bags have bed bugs.

Perhaps you can buy a large, collapsible duffel bag or hockey bag before your departure that would fit in your carry-on? Would save you the hassle of trying to find a bag during your stop over. Amazon has lots of choices for around $30.

I would be wary of purchasing used luggage because of the risk of bedbugs -- as noted upthread by YVR Cockroach.

Thank you for your responses. A friend of mine just suggested to try to find a "chinese mall", where they would sell really cheaply made bags on wheels. The material would be some sort of stronger plastic bag. Definitely not built for posterity, but might be just right for me this use case.

Is there such a place near the Bridgepost skytrain station, or, if I go to the downtown Costo, somewhere Downtown/Chinatown?

Sounds like all the branded luggage sold at department stores and Costco among other places.

Aberdeen Centre sounds about right, or maybe Lansdowne Centre a bit further south. Not sure if they will be cheap.

This is what you want

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-white-blue_bag

Yes, if it has wheels!

I wouldn't use used luggage for any international trips. You don't know where the item has been or what its been used for. Could get you into trouble at the border.

I'm not crossing a border, thank you for your concern.

But you are flying with it. What I said about borders applies to any airport security!!!

Maybe you could buy used on FB Marketplace or Kijiji (I think they use Craigslist in Vancouver, but idk) and meet the person on the Canada Line or something to complete the transaction.

So I'm guessing you're looking to spend...~$50ish on luggage for a day of shopping?

If IKEA Richmond materializes, walk across the street first to Home Depot, buy some of those super heavy duty extra large boxes (~$3), and packing tape while you're there (~$8). I think you're asking for luggage and wheels because you're interested in wheeling it back on TransLink (60min frequency on weekends here, 30min on weekdays), but if you had a car/Uber (~$20), the boxes might work out and be less than whatever luggage you buy. There's no way I'd rent a car at YVR for a day of shopping at these rates (I'm seeing $143 til June) but I haven't yet applied my company discount which I'd hope would bring it down to a reasonable C$40 or less...doubtful.

Walmart's known for incredibly crummy stuff and cheaper prices and there happens to be a store a few blocks east of the Canada Line in Richmond. Maybe you could do an online store pick-up.

Thank you for your suggestions. Buying boxes and taking Lyft may be a good approach!

Any idea if Costco stocks such boxes? Or sturdy plastic boxes? I can repurpose those after the trip.