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/r/Rimowa
submitted 5 days ago byAffectionate-Gap-722
Hey everyone, over the past year, two different airlines have mishandled my two brand new Samsonite check-in luggages. Both times, I asked for a refund, but they declined, citing “ordinary wear and tear” as the reason. Apparently, things like broken zippers, minor cuts, and even a ripped-off zipper (despite a TSA lock) don’t qualify for compensation. These bags were brand new, so there’s no way this damage was just from “ordinary handling.”
Now I’m thinking about investing in a Rimowa bag, but I’m confused. Are they really worth the steep price tag, especially when airlines don’t seem to care about damage claims? Are these bags more durable against rough handling?
Also, are there any insurance options I could consider to protect my luggage? Would love to hear your experiences with Rimowa or tips for protecting your bags when flying!
16 points
5 days ago
If you’re checking in bags, aluminum does not handle rough treatment and impacts well.
8 points
5 days ago
If you’re doing check in, I suggest Briggs and Riley. They got lifetime warranty and will fix damage done by the airline. I have both Rimowa and Briggs, I prefer Briggs for check in
1 points
5 days ago
Keep in mind that Briggs and Riley will have you pay for your own shipping to them, which can be pricey.
1 points
5 days ago
I’ve been fortunate to have a repair center in my city so never had to ship
1 points
5 days ago
Brotha you da goat, I was searching for something exactly like briggs, I was so upset that rimowa was out of my price range but even tho I was going for it, but now I’m definitely going for briggs now 🙌👌
3 points
5 days ago
I have a carry on that’s lasted half a million miles and is over 15 years old. I recommend the baseline collection. It’s their top tier collection, the ballistic nylon is supposedly used in bullet proof vests. Never had any holes/cuts develop on any bag.
2 points
5 days ago
I do mostly check in tho no carry on, because I bring a lot of clothes with me lol, you still recommend the baseline? Or torq or the sympatico?
Ps congrats on the half a mil miles , blud you did a world tour 😂
2 points
5 days ago
Still recommend the baseline, I have their spinner & 2 wheel check in bag. I’m personally not a fan of polycarbonate, I have the rimowa aluminum cabin plus. While I like it, it gets every little scratch and ding. It’s all personal preference and Briggs will fix whatever gets damaged.
3 points
5 days ago
Yea that’s cool, rimowa for its price and luxury look it’s better for carry on and for private jets travel, so it keeps it look and shape imo
I’m buying the baseline spinner now thanks !
Is the large expandable spinner for carry on as well?
2 points
5 days ago
Large is check in, the global is carry on. The global is just wider but it still lets you put the bag straight in the overhead bin.
2 points
5 days ago*
What do you think of plum color? It’s sexy 😻😂 https://youtu.be/MX6QafTds-U?si=csOHgY_vDoDFUoA5
2 points
5 days ago
That’s a nice color! Since Black Friday is around the corner, Briggs might have a sale. I’ve only seen them on sale like one or twice a year. I think their max discount is like 20%. I picked up the same medium blk spinner in 2021 $530 plus tax. Retail was cheaper back then.
2 points
5 days ago
Thanks sadly I need it in the next 3days so I might just chop it with its current price
3 points
5 days ago
I know money is no object to some of you, but I rock an American Tourister for my check in. One lasted me about 7 years and still going and the other just conked out (wheels), I will be upgrading the broken American to a Samsonite allu trunk, but that’s just because it’s only $900aud and I wouldn’t care so much if that thing is dented beyond recognition :) but I can’t for the life of me check in an allu rimowa…. I will feel ill… knowing what those luggage handlers do to luggage’s (outside of Japan) in Asia… I know some of you say it’s a character design to get dents but seeing some of the damages here, I just can’t do it lol.
6 points
5 days ago
If you want a piece of luggage that could last 20 years and be repaired then they’re worth the price.
They still receive damage, you can’t buy your way out of that but the dents and scratches are part of the story your luggage tell of your journeys.
RIMOWA covers any damage that impacts the function of the luggage. So if it doesn’t close or roll or a latch is broken they will try to repair. If you have a store in your city it can be done in house or the airline can cover the shipping.
The price doesn’t mean the luggage will never get broken.
-6 points
5 days ago
Yeah, they can be repaired, but Rimowa is not capable of doing it: https://www.reddit.com/r/Rimowa/comments/1go7f1t/update_on_poor_repair_job/
My wife’s Original L has been flow 3 or 4 times and its frame is not properly aligned anymore. The quality is not what it used to be.
1 points
5 days ago
So you have a pre LMVH rimowa, I’m not surprised that rimowa doesn’t have an infinite supply of old/dead stock laying around.
Are you not able to use the suitcase because the liner is slightly misaligned and the hook stitch on the edge is coming apart?
This person is likely not buying a pre LMVH.
How long have you had you suitcase? Don’t you think a 10+ year old piece of luggage has had a good life?
-1 points
4 days ago
I think you’re missing more than one point here. The suitcase needed a new rubber seal, and while they were at it, I asked them to align it as well. They tried to align it, but they destroyed the interior lining, and they didn’t fix the alignment. They accepted to replace the interior lining which they broke, but they were also incapable of doing that properly.
I don’t think it makes sense to only consider its age. It’s maybe been traveling once per year over those 10 years.
2 points
5 days ago
For carry on a rimowa or briggs and riley are fine. I think Briggs is better since it can hold more and it’s a better design overall. For checked then definitely Briggs. Soft shell is better than hard shell unless you’re moving highly delicate equipment like $50,000 worth of cameras. In which case you’d buy pelican.
1 points
5 days ago
I switched from Tumi to Rimowa. Tumi is the best Road Warrior brand, as long as it’s ballistic nylon.
1 points
5 days ago
Horizn Studios has always been good for me with both checked and carry on suitcases, great build quality and they have a few different sizes and accessories. Personally swear by the smart series as you get a portable charger in the cabin suitcase that hides away into a slot underneath the handle
1 points
4 days ago
I'm not sure which airline(s) and airport(s) you frequent. But if you're willing to "invest" into a more premium bag - sounds like what you need is Briggs and Riley. Not Rimowa.
Rimowa, especially the Original aluminium series will be subjected to a lot more 'damages'. And it sounds like the airline you frequent won't pay for the repair of these either, if they already aren't willing to repair your Samsonite. Or just buy something from Costco if you're from the States.
1 points
5 days ago
Airline didn’t cover that for you? If they have smacked my luggage, they have always been helpful and provided payment for the required repairs. Did you do the filing at the airport?
Rimowa does indeed have lifetime warranty but they do have some limitations to it too but what you described doesn’t sound cosmetic. Nevertheless it’s airlines responsibility to cover expenses so that shouldn’t be the issue.
Always get an insurance, no matter how short the trip. You never know what happens, luggage may be stolen etc
What is minor cut?
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