Comments on: Busted! How to ensure your luggage survives a trip

By: Jenny S

Jenny S — Fri, 13 Aug 2010 08:52:26 +0000

I brought a weekend suitcase fromTripp only about a year ago and am now stuck in work about to trek across London later today to the train station and the handle has completely jammed – any top tips to get the one side that is jammed out?

i’ve already carried it the 20 min walk from the tube station to the office and not sure I can face carrying it again ;)

help!

By: rosalind Krausd

rosalind Krausd — Thu, 10 Jun 2010 14:56:50 +0000

I need repairs (in Paris) on my belting leather duffel

By: MJ’s Travel Favorites 3-21-10 | Traveling with MJ

MJ’s Travel Favorites 3-21-10 | Traveling with MJ — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 13:02:07 +0000

[...] Consumer Traveler tackles the question of what to do when your luggage breaks down mid-trip. I’ve had to manage broken zippers, wonky wheels, and a sticky handle. [...]

By: Em Hoop

Em Hoop — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 22:23:26 +0000

I have to chuckle at the suggestion that one abandon a damaged bag at the airport. I had to do that with a damaged but useable third bag that held millinery, which i finally hand carried in a plastic bag, which got in the cabin, where the original bag would have cost bundle to ship in the hold from BHX-AVL. At BHX I spent a good part of an hour going from one place to another, each time redirected to another office, desk, “authority,” or wall phone…..
Near the point of desperation, I finally stashed the bag under a stairway and hoped no one would call in the bomb squad about an abandoned bag….Finally, not knowing how many calories i’d burned off while looking for someone to take the bag off my hands, I got to a desk where they made me go get the bag (more walking!), put it up on the counter, and open it myself to assure staff that is was empty.
I will never again believe that international travel allows three bags. The over-charges would have left me broke after my holiday and the bag wasn’t worth the expense. And I will never again look for the proper disposal point for an unwanted bag. Enough said……

By: Aglaia761

Aglaia761 — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:32:22 +0000

I’m a huge fan of International Traveler bags. They are hard-sided flexible bags. I’ve seen it fall off of a baggage conveyor belt, stuck in the rain, and thrown onto a baggage cart with no damage.

The fun colors help as well. I’ve moved from solid colors to animal prints…

By: Bob Ploehn

Bob Ploehn — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 17:27:01 +0000

Yes, my bag broke as I got off the Maglev train in Shanghai, far from home. The top cross bar of the retractable handle which you hold to drag or push the bag on wheels just broke right off. I carried it by the usual handle the rest of the trip, and when I got home I called Hartmann. “No problem, sir, where should I send the new handle assembly,” she said. “Gee, can I fix this myself?,” I reply. “Sure, you just unzip the lining, snap out the old handle and insert the new one. Takes maybe three minutes with no tools.”

Not only does Hartmann gladly send you the new replacement (you must send back the old broken part in the same box), but also they make the luggage so it is user serviceable. Just like my lifetime-guaranteed Moen faucet. No questions, just, “Where do we send the new part”!

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 01:00:30 +0000

Fortunately, I’ve never had a wheel come off. I retired the bag before that happened. Luggage wheels are not as easily replaced as roller-skate wheels. If they were, we wouldn’t be having this conversation.
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Flight Crews use “Travelpro” and we do REPLACE the wheels. It’s very simple. Two screws, remove the wheels and replace them with rollerblade wheels. I use the 75MM, size wheels. Also if you hear your wheels grinding while you walk, it’s time to replace them. The barings are bad. I get my wheels at “Play it again sports” store.

By: Ned Levi

Ned Levi — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 22:25:30 +0000

Good article Chris. I wanted to add two comments.

First, I agree with Jeff. I’d put it, you get what you pay for. I use high quality luggage and while the initial investment wasn’t inexpensive, in my opinion, it’s more than paid for itself, and will end up being less expensive over its lifespan than inexpensive luggage.

Second, I suggest to all travelers to carry a few rolls of travel size “duct tape.” It is extremely versatile and can fix all kinds of things that happen when you travel.

By: Jeff L

Jeff L — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:37:03 +0000

Also, buy a decent bag…

The forums have offered much debate over favorite luggage lines, but the general consensus is you get what you pay for. If your entire luggage set cost less than cab fare to the airport, be a little more gentle with it…

For frequent travelers, sturdy luggage that meets your physical profile (my wife and I use different models as she is shorter than I) is a wise investment…