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I would buy new as those things sold used probably are getting worn out. Besides, You don't have to spend a ton of money to get decent luggage. Think of terms of buying a washing maching - who cares if it lasts 20 years but costs three times as much. Get the cheaper one and replace in ten years. Try Costco, Sears, Super Target, big places like that. Even online.
Also, sort of related, Why the heck is luggage sold at an airport? Seems like every airport has a luggage store. Who buys or would buy luggage at the airport when you're already packed? Seems very odd.
We have had very good results with Briggs & Riley and with Samsonite. I would avoid Tumi which is, IMHO, overpriced and poorer quality than the other two I cite.
It depends how much you are going to travel... I travel quite a bit and finally "upgraded" to Briggs & Riley about five years ago. The pieces are warrantied for life, and the company keeps their word. I brought one piece to them that had been seriously beaten up in travel - no questions or hassles, and they express-mailed it back to me very quickly - not only did they fix the one problem, they "spritzed it up"... replaced the beaten up wheels, etc. All the pieces I have held up very well.
Depends on type of travel too. I used to have soft-sided luggage and was traveling long-haul every month. I must have gone through 5 or 6 suitcases one year and finally said enough was enough. Invested $100 in a (black) hard-side Samsonite- 10 years ago. The thing has been dragged through the London Tube innumerable times, chucked all over airport tarmacs, and bumped up and down staircases and cobblestones from here to the ends of the earth and its never failed. Best investment I ever made.
Ive seen both types of luggage at TJ Maxx- try there as well.
Soft side would work for car trips, train trips, or infrequent plane trips with no connections. THe key to soft side is to not over pack so that the top is bulging!
As Samantha Brown said on one of her recent episodes, a good piece of luggage should last you 10 years. We only use carry-ons and don't even own anything else. We have the Samsonite spinners (4 wheels) and love them. So far, it's been a little over 4 years and they are as good as new, not one sign of wear and we travel every single month. I highly recommend buying new, and buying a trusted brand. You want luggage that lasts not something from a thrift store that will break when they throw it into the cargo area!
Thank you for all the informative helpful responses! We appreciate the help. We did not want to buy cheap luggage and then have to go out in 2 years to buy another set. Thanks very much!
We got our carry-on backpacks at REI.
My husband's has a smaller daypack that can be unzipped from the main backpack. Both can have the shoulder straps stuffed inside the frame so that you can hold the backpack like a piece of luggage.
We've had them for at least 10 years now.
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Never really traveled much in my life. Now I have the opportunity to travel with hubby and chlidren.
