Comments on: Luggage: Uncluttered and quality solutions

By: Leslie

Leslie — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 16:47:18 +0000

Tutto luggage is fantastic luggage! It is softsided luggage with a pvc frame, and rolls a little differently than standard luggage, using 4 wheels instead of two. It COLLAPSES flat to just 3" and can be stored under the bed, or staning up in the back of a closet, taking up almost no room! I have difficulty pulling luggage due to weak shoulders, and this is the easiest luggage to maneuver and pull. (The website calls it "healthy luggage".) Also, because the pull bar frame is on the outside of the suitcase, there is mor packing room inside, with a flat bottom of the suitcase. The only thing that is a bit of a pain, is that the pull bar must be removed and reattached in order check the bags. But after using this suitcase several times, I decided that the advantages outweighed that disadvantage. It is only available by mail order (I have never seen it in a luggage store). I own several pieces and will not use any other luggage. I love this luggage for ease in storing, ease in packing, and phenominal ease in maneuvering. http://www.tutto.com/

By: Andrea

Andrea — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 15:54:48 +0000

I have some more info on the LL Bean return policy. It did used to be a “lifetime guarantee” policy, for decades in fact. But its now a “satisfaction guaranteed” policy, as Erin pointed out. http://www.llbean.com/customer.....ml?feat=ln

I have family working for LL Bean. The word from them is “customer satisfaction” means that if you think your Beans product should have lasted longer than it did, they will repair it (sadly they repair less often than they used to), replace it, or refund your money. No matter how you wore it out.

I can attest to that… I, and others I know, have exchanged things that we expected to last longer because they were LL Bean products. My family working there have taken back all kinds of items which the customer thought should have lasted longer. He also said there have been extreme circumstances when they didn’t take things back, for example refusing to refund someone who chronically abuses the policy.

I hope this helps those of you who are comparison shopping for luggage.

By: Erin at Unclutterer

Erin at Unclutterer — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 14:44:06 +0000

You’re exactly right, Dan. I’ve noted that it’s only the Eagle Creek Exploration line in the article. However, if someone reads the comments and doesn’t jump back up to re-read the article, your explanation here is perfect!! Thank you!!

It’s like with the Boyt’s luggage, which only applies to the Mach 4 line.

I think it’s weird that a company only offers warranties like this on specific lines … it can’t be easy on employees working every place their products are sold … just my two cents …

By: Dan

Dan — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 14:36:40 +0000

Erin,
This is a great article. I read Eagle Creek’s Policy from the link above and was confused because of this paragraph:

What doesn’t the Lifetime Guarantee cover?
Eagle Creek’s guarantee covers defects in materials or workmanship under normal wear and tear. Excessive wear and tear (i.e. dragging your duffle through 300 miles of gravel road in the Australian outback) is not covered by our warranty. Accidents (your Switchback is run over by a 757 after falling from the cargo area on its way to Bangkok) or damage incurred as a result of repairs, modifications or alterations done by someone other than Eagle Creek will void the Lifetime Guarantee.

That doesn’t really sound like “No Matter What”. So this is what I think… The “Lifetime Guarantee” and “No Matter What” policies are two different things. Their Exploration line is the only one that has the “No Matter What” damage repair policy. Other Eagle creek equipment is only covered by their Lifetime Guarantee. It’s kind of confusing that they explain both policies on the same page. It seems easy to mistake that any of their bags are covered under the “No Matter What” damage repair policy.

By: beth

beth — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 14:30:48 +0000

I try to keep all my vacation things together. I use my luggage to store items like a beach tote stocked with sunblock and drink coolers, and those gigantic beach towels that don’t really fit in the linen closet.

By: Marc

Marc — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 14:01:54 +0000

The nesting or storage are only important if you don’t travel much. I travel one week per month at least, and can’t be bothered with un-nesting and un-storing other bags every time I pack.

By: Marc

Marc — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 14:01:35 +0000

The nesting or storage are only important if you don’t travel much. I travel one week per month at least, and don’t can’t be bothered with un-nesting and un-storing other bags every time I pack.

By: Erin at Unclutterer

Erin at Unclutterer — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 13:03:22 +0000

kelle — Thanks, I’ve updated the page! It’s nice to have a more backpack style of luggage listed!

Matt — That’s great to know about Victorinox service. It’s not the policy that appears on their website, but awesome that is how they’re honoring it in practice. Great information!!

By: Matt

Matt — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 08:03:51 +0000

Actually I have the Victorinox luggage and I never have a problem with repairs. I average 120K flight miles per year and have had the zipper and wheels repaired in SF, Seattle, and Amsterdam for no cost with no questions.

By: kelle

kelle — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 06:45:14 +0000

here's the link to all the items covered under the "No Matter What" warranty: http://www.eaglecreek.com/collections/exploration_systems/

By: kelle

kelle — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 06:41:18 +0000

Eagle Creek's Exploration System line comes with a "No Matter What" warranty. http://www.eaglecreek.com/company/warranty_information.php what i love about their bags is that they are very lightweight! durable, but light enough for me to lift into the overhead without too much trouble.

By: Scott

Scott — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 23:13:11 +0000

My understanding is that LL Bean will repair or replace pretty much anything if you are unhappy with its performance. I have an LL bean brand sleeping bag that I have had for almost 15 years. The elastic cord is broken. They offered to either replace it or just fix the cord, whichever I felt was needed. I plan to bring it in and have them fix the cord.

By: Alan Thomas

Alan Thomas — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 19:32:46 +0000

Costco “Kirkland” luggages is effectively guaranteed for life because of their return policy, but they also have an unconditional satisfaction guarantee.

By: Erin at Unclutterer

Erin at Unclutterer — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 18:54:34 +0000

Maureen –
I can’t find anywhere on LL Bean’s website that says that they’ll repair any piece of luggage damaged from regular wear and tear or airline processing. I found a page that says if you are not happy with the product that you can return it, but not that they’ll repair your piece for free. There’s a pretty big difference between the two offers. If you can find a page with this information on it I’ll update the post to include LL Bean. Thanks!

By: Maureen

Maureen — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 18:31:45 +0000

Don’t forget about LL Bean – their products are extremely well-made, high-quality, and there is a lifetime replacement on everything they make. Even their most expensive bags (Ballistic II series) are priced much lower than many other lines.

By: Erin at Unclutterer

Erin at Unclutterer — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 17:39:13 +0000

Good point about the registration card!!! Be sure to read the fine print and act accordingly. I remember that at least two of the companies I listed only honor the warranty if you fill out the registration card. However, I know from personal experience that Briggs and Riley did not request us to prove anything when we took our piece in to be repaired.

By: Bryan

Bryan — Wed, 01 Aug 2007 17:28:55 +0000

Are you sure the warranty card must be filled out? My experience is that the cards are used mostly as a marketing tool, and, rarely, as a way to contact you in case of recall. The manufacturer must state in the warranty what information they require for the warranty to be valid, and that's all you have to send them. You don't want to give more information that required and end up on dozens of mailing lists, adding to the junk mail clutter. Bankrate has an interesting article on the topic here: http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/advice/20030421a1.asp