Best Place in Calgary to Buy Luggage

[amorak]

Hi guys, The fiancée and I are preparing for our long invasion of Playa Del Carmen for our wedding. We have a number of wedding favors, etc to bring so we need some more luggage.

We stopped into the Bay where nearly everything is always "on sale". But nothing stood out at us as either a great deal or good value for the money. I travel often and have only had cheap luggage which gets beat up quickly, so I thought I'd ask the CP brain trust:

1. Is it worth it buying more expensive luggage? Are the warranties actually useful? 2. Where in town has the best deals? Where are there good brands for decent prices? Thanks CP!

[amorak]

Woah posting from my iphone4 for the lose! Will have tofu. That block o text

[SeeBass]

I would have said the Bay but it was a swing and a miss for you.

I usually buy my luggage in the States there is a franchise called Steinmart they are like a Canadian Winners. You can get a good hard shell for $100. I would wait to buy my luggage out of country and make do with a cheaper set till you find a great value.

I never worry about warranties either

I have had luck at Costco before too. Nothing great but you can get a good 3-5 years out of it.

PS. If you are going to get luggage with wheels spend the extra money on the 360 degree wheels you will never regret it especially if you leave North America where space becomes a struggle to wheel luggage. It is always better to pull your luggage at your side than drag it behind you with the one direction wheels.

[Nage Waza]

If you pick something out because it looks nice, well it won't after a couple trips. It will be dirty and banged up. We made that mistake in our wedding registry. The bags are great and looked great, the first time we used them. Now they look messy. Get something rugged that expands. Why not try a couple of MEC duffel bags? I use those on occasion, and on the return trip they can be folded and placed inside my luggage.

[RW99]

Originally Posted by Nage Waza

If you pick something out because it looks nice, well it won't after a couple trips. It will be dirty and banged up. We made that mistake in our wedding registry. The bags are great and looked great, the first time we used them. Now they look messy. Get something rugged that expands. Why not try a couple of MEC duffel bags? I use those on occasion, and on the return trip they can be folded and placed inside my luggage.

x2

I bought one of those 'expensive' sets at 50% off at The Bay. The quality wasn't what I expected even given the lower price. And the wheels are horrible. My luggage drags against the ground if it's not a completely level surface. One of these days I will upgrade the wheels myself so there is more clearance

[drewboy12]

go for something nice as your carry on. leather, designer what ever. checked bags, go cheap. Hard shell. They will get tossed and banged up, scuffed, dirty. If it is at all wet out side, expect more dirt on it, and a good chance for it to get very wet. Hard shell case should prevent any of these, maybe a few scuffs and scratches, but you should be able to wipe the majority of crap off.

[Winsor_Pilates]

Try Winners, I've bought mine there and it has been at very good prices.

Before I went on Maternity leave I sold luggage
Unfortunately the store that I worked at has changed ownership and now sells sub-standard items.

I would say go to Handy Luggage and buy Briggs and Riley. It has a warranty that covers airline damage. I have pieces that are 3 years old and fairly well used and still look almost brand new. Check out their website. Mine is the Transcend line... a little lighter because of the lack of the casing around the sides.

A second choice would be Eagle Creek. The warranty isn't as good (although it might have changed in the past year) but it is lighter if that is an issue.

The third choice would be Victorinox. I think their warranty is pretty good as well. It's sold at Handy and the Bay.

I would trust the salespeople at Handy Luggage. They know what they're talking about. If JB's bags still sells Briggs, you could go see them too.

If you have any other questions, send me a PM and I can give you more info.

[Northendzone]

sometime hockey duffle bags work nicely - although they are utilitarian.....

[vanisleflamesfan]

Never buy expensive wine, watches, or luggage.

[Mad Mel]

If you're pretty secure in knowing what you want, I'd consider buying off the internet. Price is price.

For specific luggage style, after many years of travel and destroyed luggage, I've gone full utilitarian. Which ain't cheap. Luggage that compresses, is tough, great wheels, and can be hoisted onto your back (admittedly, I spend time in places that aren't tourist-amenable). This is the bag I use, and it's been excellent in it's usability, and entirely durable.

[drewboy12]

If you want a nice suitcase maybe try this link... Saw it on TV the other day.

http://www.henk.com/

[drewboy12]

Btw heres a link to go with the henk website...

http://www.forbes.com/2004/11/09/cz_af_1109hot.html

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by Mad Mel

If you're pretty secure in knowing what you want, I'd consider buying off the internet.

I wonder if they package the luggage in a box marked "Fragile".