A good and sturdy luggage (or luggage set) is a must have for every person and every home. This is not only a necessity for people who frequently travel but for everyone. Why, you would never know when you get to be called for an emergency trip, right? In that case, what will you do? Shop for luggage at midnight?
Anyway, we should always be prepared especially for emergency cases. However, as stated above, not all people are frequent travelers. Those kind of people may have the money for them to travel all their life and of course, if they have money to travel, they will also have more than enough money to stock on different kinds of luggage and luggage sets.
But what about people who would rather stay home and watch television because they do not have enough money to jet set? They still need to invest on good luggage. Well, the solution for that is simple. Look for inexpensive luggage! The luggage market today has grown bigger and bigger therefore making way for smaller companies to provide customers with cheaper alternatives. Here are some tips on how to buy affordable but high quality luggage.
Look out for clearance sales
If you want a cheap but brand new luggage manufactured by a known company, you may have no other choice than to wait for clearance or closeout sales. Check the stores in your area (and even beyond) and try asking salespeople the possible dates when they would be having a clearance sale. In fact, you may establish contact with these people so that they may tell you the dates ahead of time, before anyone else knows.
The most possible dates for clearance or closeout sales are after a big holiday so be alert. Of course the luggage you will get is not the most up to date because they will be replaced with newer styles but if you try, you can score a fashionable luggage for a discounted price.
With a clearance sale, you can buy luggage made by known luggage brands for a very cheap price. Some brands that offer good deals and bargain prices are Samsonite, Atlantic, Tumi, Traveler's Choice, Kenneth Cole, Travelpro and Pathfinder. Your luggage may not be this season's but you can be assured of the quality and durability of the bag.
Check out online shops
If you shop ahead of time, you can scour through various websites that offer new as well as used luggage. You can try eBay and search for the luggage that will satisfy your criteria the best. You can look for it by typing in the search box or you can go ahead and click the category "Travel." Carefully take note of the condition of the item especially if it is already used, the cost of shipping and taxes and also look at the seller's feedback.
Aside from eBay, you can also check Craigslist. Select your city from the home page and then search for luggage. Do the same precautionary measures stated above. These two websites are just two of the many websites that specialize in buying and selling. There may also be a website that specializes in your own area so that will make things easier.
Visit thrift stores nearby (and even the not-so-nearby ones)
This option is for the more adventurous. You need to time, effort and patience in order to find a good luggage in a thrift store. Most of the time these are sold or donated by people so do not expect to find a mint new one. Then again, if you invest patience on your part, it will not be impossible to find the vintage luggage of your dreams, perhaps donated by a very rich and stylish woman before.
What is best about thrift shops is that everything is dirt cheap. Merchandises sold here are not even a fraction of the price as their counterparts sold in malls and department stores. You have to be careful in choosing though. Inspect the entire luggage thoroughly for damages and broken wheels and then choose another one with a better condition.
If you really like the damaged luggage, look at the damages and make sure these are easy to fix and replace. It will also be better if you test the luggage around the store. Do not be ashamed to look inside the luggage for further inspection. Also, remember that in thrift shops, you can haggle and negotiate the price of your purchase. You'll never know; you might go home a proud owner of a vintage Louis Vuitton for just 30 bucks.
Befriend people who have a luggage collection
Who do not even use them. These are the people who are mentioned on top of the article; jet setters who jump on a plane when they are bored at home. Surely this people have collected a huge mass of luggage from all of their travels. Find out if you have a relative with the same addiction. If you are close to that relative, you can do her a favor and remove the clutter from her house, right?
Of course, you cannot assume that they will readily give you the luggage. First, ask if you may borrow from them. This comes in handy especially in emergency situations where you have to leave home the next morning. Promise that relative and/or friend that you will take the utmost care of it.
Also, don't forget to listen to her guidelines. Don't dismiss them as last minute unnecessary details. Be sure to take note of all the combinations and keys that you need to remember in handling their luggage. Failing to do this may result to you being stuck in a foreign land with no change of clothes to wear because you forgot how to open the suitcase. And don't forget to thank your lender profusely once you got back.
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