Sunday, December 11, 2011

LUGGAGE WARRANTIES

Dan Poynter, http://AirTravelHandbook.com

Before you purchase suitcases, attaché cases and bags, check the manufacturer's warranties online. The bags of frequent travelers are subjected to a lot of wear and tear. What will the manufacturer cover?

All luggage warranties are not the same.

For example:

Samsonite:

"This warranty covers only manufacturing defects and does not cover any damage caused by misuse (such as transportation of unusual items), neglect, accidents, abrasion, exposure to extreme temperatures, solvents, acids, water, normal wear and tear or transport damage (by airlines for example)."

http://shop.samsonite.com/info/Warranty_Information  

Travel Pro®:

"The Travelpro® warranty covers defects in materials and workmanship but does not cover wear or damage caused by abuse, mishandling, accidental damage, inappropriate selection, or carelessness caused by an airline or other common carrier. In the course of normal handling, your luggage may suffer abrasions, minor cuts, scratches, dents, or soil. Certain component parts such as wheels, bumper feet, leather, etc., will show wear. This wear is not covered under the warranty. Travelpro® will provide prompt refurbishment services at a nominal cost."

http://www.travelpro.com/warranty.cfm

Briggs & Riley:

"If your Briggs & Riley bag is ever broken or damaged, even if it was caused by an airline, we will repair it free of charge."

http://www.briggs-riley.com/simple-as-that-lifetime-warranty/

http://bit.ly/9YcTj0  

Most of my bags are Travel Pro and, to their credit, the company has repaired and replaced the luggage several times. Travel Pro stands behind their bags.

Most bags and parts are made in China. The slide fasteners (Zippers) are usually very poor quality. They are easily damaged and injury usually occurs through rough handling by TSA inspectors. Zippers should be run around the bag's corners, all the way to their stops, before lifting the lid of the bag.

Before buying any bags, go the websites of the manufacturers and read their warranties.

What is your experience with luggage warranties? E-mail: DanPoynter@ParaPublishing.com  

_____________________________

Dan Poynter is a frequent flyer and a licensed pilot. The author of the Air Travel Handbook, he is based in Santa Barbara.

-30-

Dan Poynter, +1-805-968-7277, DanPoynter@ParaPublishing.com

http://AirTravelHandbook.com , http://RTW2D.com 

Dan Poynter

Author-Publisher-Speaker

Para Publishing

Santa Barbara

805-968-7277