Where to score a good deal on a large suitcase

[benorbeen]

It's time to do some luggage shopping, and I need to buy a large suitcase.

I don't want it to fall apart obviously, but I don't want to spend an arm and a leg on it. I don't need it to be Louis Vitton. I just need it to survive a few trips overseas.

I think I might feel a bit more comfortable going to a chain or with a name brand than to one of those "luggage and kids toys and running water portraits" operations.

So, where do you recommend I go? (I have coupons for Macy's and Bed Bath & Beyond...)

Ben

 

[mikelibrarian]

Ben, the NY Forums are only for illicit requests now, so you're going to have to be specific. Are you planning on being a drug mule? A weapon traficker? Do you need to get rid of the hacked up bits of a prostitute? Please let us know.

 

[Books]

Mike please give him a break. A suitcase is CIA jargon for a small nuclear device that can be easily smuggled into major metropolitan areas.

 

[MichelleD]

Century 21, Ben. For real. The luggage department is crowded with stuff, but the deals are terrific on quality goods.

 

[benorbeen]

Thanks, Michelle.

For one of those large suitcases, what do you think I might spend at Century 21 for something decent? I don't want to go all the way down there and find it doesn't have what I want to pay.

As for what I'm carrying in the suitcase: This is a public forum.

 

[mikelibrarian]

Repenting of being a jerk I emailed a friend who used to manage an innovation luggage store, now he works in a completely different industry.

Here is his advice.

where oversea's are you going, is it a direct flight or are you changing planes
wheneve you switch planes 3x's the amount of abuse the a direct flight, color is important too
red stands out the most but some countries you may not want to stand out but you still want to know your bag there are some nice greens that make you bag easy to spot and don't make you

 

[benorbeen]

I didn't see you as a jerk, Mike.

Thanks for that. We're talking a non-stop trip to Heathrow and back, once.

Am I gonna pay $100 for one of those large suitcases?

 

[El Jefe]

"I want a big one!"
- Jimmy Stewart as George Bailey in It's A Wonderful Life, on suitcases

 

[MichelleD]

Hard to tell in advance with Century 21. but there's a good range of brands and prices. If that doesn't work, walk three blocks down to Syms, which has a smaller selection but discount prices as well. So it's not a wasted trip!

 

[rroach1115]

Hey Ben,
I just so happen to know that Macy's has a great selection of luggage. I suggest you try to go there. I've gotten some great luggage from Macy's in the past.

 

[benorbeen]

Thanks, Reenie! Bed Bath & Beyond, Macy*s, and possibly Century 21 & Syms, are on my list of shops at which to stop today.

Ben

 

[benorbeen]

By the way, Macy*s won, and I got a great luggage duffle bag for just over $90.

 

[mikelibrarian]

Now that one has to pay for the privilege of checking two small bags, regardless of the weight of the bags, I'm going to be shopping for a large suitcase soon as well.

 

[benorbeen]

I wouldn't recommend going to Bed Bath & Beyond. Their selection was 1 or 2 styles, and they were luggage combos.

I was satisfied with what Macy*s was offering, though I imagine there could have been more selection and better offers. The prices on the whole seemed high to me, though I haven't really shopped around. If you do do Macy*s, though, make sure you bring one of those omnipresent 20% discount cards. Look around and you'll probably find one.