Tumi outlet questions
Jan 2, 2015, 11:42 pm
#16
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Jet City is Seattle
Programs: AS MVP Gold (first time 2015!) - DL
Posts: 13
My favorite Tumi outlet is the Cabazon CA store on the Morongo reservation along I-10. Prices and sales vary and the bigger sales occur twice a year and can be 30 to 40% occasionally a bit more). Inventory varies widely so it pays to stop in regularly if you can. When they close out limited edition models you can get a great deal at the outlets. I routinely buy 4 to 10 pieces and sell 3/4 of them on ebay and it pays for or offsets the 2 to 3 pieces I keep for myself and my ebay buyers are still thrilled with the deals. The people at the Cabazon store have helped me with many warranty repairs mostly on handles in the T3 line and they never ask me for receipts to prove when I bought them and they have never charged me a cent for the repairs. I've been buying Tumi since 2007 and I can say the quality of the linings has gone down hill. If you compare the quality and feel of the older linings they blow away the newer stuff but that's my only gripe and I just bought an Alpha 2 Leather International Carry on this last week for 30% off
Mar 27, 2015, 1:52 am
#17
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2000
Location: Little dot in Asia
Programs: AA-EP, TK-*G, HL-DM, HY-GLO, MR-LTP
Posts: 25,932
Sorry to drag this thread up...
But can anyone recommend an outlet store that can be ordered online in the US for delivery within the US?
Thank you.
But can anyone recommend an outlet store that can be ordered online in the US for delivery within the US?
Thank you.
Mar 31, 2015, 5:32 pm
#18
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 267
Not quite an outlet store but Gilt and others regularly have Tumi sales. Not sure what is available at this time, or whether the pricing is any good, but I have seen great deals there on occasion (particularly for older stock or lines normally sold at the outlets).
Jun 13, 2015, 11:52 am
#20
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: New Jersey
Programs: Delta P, SPG G, Marriott S, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,007
Jun 18, 2015, 2:21 pm
#22
Join Date: Jul 2006
Programs: UA 1K/1MM; HH Diamond; GM for everything else
Posts: 544
Outlet models vs. retail models
This is very interesting. I would have never imagined a Tumi outlet store would sell inferior quality stuff as well - old models, I can understand. Thanks! I'll make sure I ask. Is the right question 'Is this the same quality as a regular Tumi bag sold in US Retail stores?' or some other way to verify quality and fall into a sales pitch?
Jun 18, 2015, 2:24 pm
#23
Join Date: Jul 2006
Programs: UA 1K/1MM; HH Diamond; GM for everything else
Posts: 544
Return policy at Tumi outlet store
When I visited a Tumi outlet store in TX in April, I was told that nothing can be returned for refund but for store credit only. It's a surprise to me so I left without purchasing anything.
Jul 17, 2015, 10:52 pm
#26
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: DCA/IAD/BWI
Programs: UA 2P, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Plat, National EE, Avis PC
Posts: 314
As far as I know, the outlet store has some models that are never sold in regular retail stores. I can't say the quality of these models is bad. However they do show difference if you look into the details. For example, some briefcases and luggage sold at outlet stores do not have the monogram pad. Otherwise they look very similar to the retail models. The size of zippers can be different as well. Be careful if you care about such details.
May 9, 2016, 9:49 am
#27
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1
Completely disagree!
I've worked at Neiman-Marcus & bought Tumi bags that fall apart & can attest from customers' returns that Tumi is WAY over-priced and NOT great quality. I continue to buy Tumi as I like styles, design & prestige of owning but to say TravelPro is Target-like quality is laughable! Over 20 years I've had 40% of my Tumi have wheel, tubing &/or seam issues requiring repair or replacement and that's where I feel idiotic to keep buying it. Tumi is NOT easy to work with and they don't honor the very simple (& what is supposed to be) "100% no hassle" guarantee without huge amounts of effort and time. Their culture is to train associates AND MANAGEMENT in Consumer Affairs to talk like robots & make things anything but hassle-free.
Last edited by Right1; May 9, 2016 at 10:10 am Reason: Incomplete
Nov 6, 2016, 8:59 am
#28
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 26
Outlet store quality
This is very interesting. I would have never imagined a Tumi outlet store would sell inferior quality stuff as well - old models, I can understand. Thanks! I'll make sure I ask. Is the right question 'Is this the same quality as a regular Tumi bag sold in US Retail stores?' or some other way to verify quality and fall into a sales pitch?
Feb 7, 2017, 8:43 pm
#29
Join Date: Jul 2009
Posts: 561
I've just picked up one of the 'outlet variants' of an Alpha 2 carry-on. No monogram patch, as reported above for quite a few other outlet lines.
Someone mentioned earlier that the monogram patch can be ordered - does anyone know where from? I've had a good look online but not had much success finding anything other than a bright red / blue one as part of a Tumi accent kit.
Someone mentioned earlier that the monogram patch can be ordered - does anyone know where from? I've had a good look online but not had much success finding anything other than a bright red / blue one as part of a Tumi accent kit.
Feb 9, 2017, 1:42 pm
#30
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Rio Rancho, NM - USA
Programs: DL, UA, WN, Amtrak, Hyatt, Accor
Posts: 1,793
I was in a Dooney & Bourke (handbags, totes, etc.) outlet near Tampa last week. The saleslady told me theirs is the only company that only sells the company's regular merchandise at outlet stores. She specifically mentioned that most Coach items at outlets are specifically made for outlets.