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AIBU?

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Original poster

Suitcase locked with everything inside

235 replies

Suitcasefuckup · 13/02/2022 18:06

Not really an AIBU but am in dire straits (relatively speaking) and hoping someone can help...

Have come away for a few nights with toddler. DH lovingly shut and locked out suitcase ready to go, before realising that he didn't actually know the code.

We had to run and catch the train so left with a locked suitcase, thinking that we'd be able to figure out the code later.

999 tries on the combination lock later and no joy, so now we're stuck in a hotel room with no clothes and, worse, no books or cuddly toys to help toddler sleep.

It's a Delsey suitcase with a 3-digit combination lock and a button with a space for a key.

Please please can anyone help?

OP posts:
TonksInPurple · 13/02/2022 21:10

I find with those locks you can normally hack them buy listening to the noise the things make as they go round.

NatashaBedwouldbenice · 13/02/2022 21:11

Some of the replies are bonkers! "Do you have the key"?? "There must be 1000s of combinations"??

Original poster
Suitcasefuckup · 13/02/2022 21:24

Sorry, I wasn't ignoring all the replies. Was just getting toddler to sleep! (Thankfully quite quietly after all; he was unsettled but not crying at least without all his creature comforts!)

I've tried the ideas mentioned, and thank you very much for those, bit nothing working yet. There's actually a Delsey shop about half an hour away so I guess that's what we'll be spending tomorrow morning doing Shock I know I could just it through it, dump it and buy a new one but it just seems so wasteful.

OP posts:
Salome61 · 13/02/2022 21:25

So sorry but at least you have your case. We went away to the IOW for a romantic weekend with our 19 month old and I'd left my husband's bag on the bed because the dog sitter came early - he didn't have any shoes or clothes, and even worse, no tooth glue! He was hammering on the door of Boots at 5.59 pm and the girls just laughed at him!

Original poster
Suitcasefuckup · 13/02/2022 21:26

Also, I did go through all likely numbers and then the full 1000 possibles and it didn't work. I'm reluctant to do it again in case it's related to the key rather than the code

OP posts:
ExtraOnion · 13/02/2022 21:28

Get something sharp, and split the zip …

twominutesmore · 13/02/2022 21:31

I had this recently with the same lock.

Shine your phone torch into the tiny gap at the side of the first number. You'll need excellent eyesight!

As you scroll through the numbers you will see something change inside when you get the right one.

I can't remember which way round it was now but your torch will either reveal a slight reflection that disappears when you hit the right number, or no reflection but then you get a reflection when you get the right number.

The first number took about five minutes but once I was sort of tuned in and knew what I was looking for, the other numbers were easier.

NatashaBedwouldbenice · 13/02/2022 21:35

So you tried splitting the zip with a pen and that didn’t work?

Nemesia · 13/02/2022 21:35

You could try picking the lock part with a kerby grip or something similar. I have managed to 'pop' cheap locks using this method!

DazedandConcerned · 13/02/2022 21:37

@Suitcasefuckup the key is for there TSA master key for that type of lock. Allows them to open your case at customs without breaking the lock.

Original poster
Suitcasefuckup · 13/02/2022 21:38

No I didn't try splitting the zip. As the padlock can't move (it's part of the suitcase) it would be impossible to fix. It might come to that if the Delsey people can't open it tomorrow. And I'm going through all the combinations again now

OP posts:
Original poster
Suitcasefuckup · 13/02/2022 21:40

@twominutesmore

I had this recently with the same lock.

Shine your phone torch into the tiny gap at the side of the first number. You'll need excellent eyesight!

As you scroll through the numbers you will see something change inside when you get the right one.

I can't remember which way round it was now but your torch will either reveal a slight reflection that disappears when you hit the right number, or no reflection but then you get a reflection when you get the right number.

The first number took about five minutes but once I was sort of tuned in and knew what I was looking for, the other numbers were easier.

I tried this and couldn't find where it looked different. I do have rubbish eyesight though so that's probably part of it!
OP posts:
twominutesmore · 13/02/2022 21:43

"I tried this and couldn't find where it looked different. I do have rubbish eyesight though so that's probably part of it!"

Oh I'm sorry it hasn't worked for you. It does look the same! I googled and found a YouTube channel showing people how to do it and it did work for me.

boringcreation · 13/02/2022 21:45

What are you on about, get a scissors and cut the case open and buy a new case. Simple

extractorfactor · 13/02/2022 21:45

Sorry if it's already been mentioned, but I'd see if hotel maintenance could lend you either a flat head screwdriver and dig it in between the locking mechanism and the 'bolt'. Or a good pair of thin nosed pliers. It will break the lock, but the zipper will remain intact and the case will be functional just not lockable. It'll take a good few minutes to jiggle around but perfectly doableSmile

Bonnieonthelam · 13/02/2022 21:48

Argh this bloody suitcase. Ok same thing happened with ours this xmas on holiday. Same Delsey and same lock. We did the 000-999 combo nada, took it to a suitcase specialist who gave up. Eventually I bought a saw. And we cut the part that was joined under the two bits that are locked in. We lifted it up and could see where it was hooked and cut the offending hook. The suitcase was still usable and we had to cover the sharp bits with duct tape. I purchased a separate TSA lock to lock it like a regular suitcase. Take it to that Delsey place if you can, they should be able to replace it or fix it.

Bonnieonthelam · 13/02/2022 21:49

And don’t buy Delsey again 😂

MrsElijahMikaelson1 · 13/02/2022 21:54

Just saw it open and buy a new one-if it’s old it won’t matter and will prove less wasteful of time just to buy a new case

GatoradeMeBitch · 13/02/2022 22:04

If you have actually gone from 001 to 999 then something may be stuck

More likely that they were robotically going through the numbers and didn't notice when it was correct. It's only a slight "give" when they line up right, it doesn't spring open, easy to miss.

HeyLala · 13/02/2022 22:05

This has happened to me.
I went through the 000 to 999 four times and it then worked.
I think I got sloppy with the numbers not clicking in properly and missed it. Just take it really slowly and it will open up.

GatoradeMeBitch · 13/02/2022 22:05

Make sure you try to open the case after each number change. It will be one of them.

Chartreuse45 · 13/02/2022 22:10

I agree with @GatoradeMeBitch, I was going to ask if you had tried the lock after each number. It doesn't move a lot and you are probably going through the numbers relatively quickly.

AngelinaFibres · 13/02/2022 22:10

Did you ask at reception. Ours was opened in seconds.
Suitcase locks are a pointless performance piece. No one pinching your suitcase will care whether it is locked or not. They will slash it with a box cutter and empty it.

duckduckgo · 13/02/2022 22:16

I don't know if you have tried it but get a screw driver and pry the crown where the zip is nd open it. That will release one side of the zip and you can open the suitcase. And when you manage to figure out the combination you can put it all back together.

Suitcase locked with everything inside
ChittyBangs · 13/02/2022 22:21

Can you not just cut along the zip at the top, then just get another or couple of hold all's

Suitcase locked with everything inside