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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
MyrtlethePurpleTurtle · 13/02/2022 22:23

Good luck, OP!

farendoftether · 13/02/2022 22:24

This happened to me on holiday. I got hotel maintenance to force open the lock then bought some cheapy big bags to pack stuff on to go home with. Infuriating when it happened though!

TokyoTen · 13/02/2022 22:29

www.delsey.com/int/en/c/locks-and-codes-%E2%80%93-all-you-need-to-know#:~:text=Don't%20worry%2C%20it's%20not,open%20your%20suitcase%20with%20ease. Read this OP it may help if you have tried all combinations

Jellybean23 · 13/02/2022 22:32

We've got locks like that. The keyhole is for a key used at airports by security staff to open and inspect locked cases.
The combination has to be somewhere between 000 and 999. If you've tried every combination and failed to open it, it must be because you've pressed the button in the wrong direction. Honestly, there is no other explanation.

mixum · 13/02/2022 22:34

Just look lovingly at it.

Or.... get hotel to force lock with their magic tools, or buy a sharp knife and slit the thing open.

I wouldn't spend any more time on the combo, I wouldn't have the patience for that!

DizzySquirrel90 · 13/02/2022 22:35

If you strong enough are you able to pull the zips off, or break the seal?

Sorry may sound daft but anything's worth a try at this point, right?

whynotwhatknot · 13/02/2022 22:40

Seriously youre not going to have any clothes toiletires etc till tomorrow because you thik its a waste of a case

you said youself its not new just bust the thing

user1471447863 · 13/02/2022 22:41

Hold gentle pressure on the release button and slowly rotate one of the number wheels. When it gets to the right spot you should feel some give (if not try a different wheel). Once one is done you should feel the next one easier etc.
Failing that hotel should be able to turn up a man with a big flat screwdriver to just pry the zip tags out of the lock catches

EmmaH2022 · 13/02/2022 22:43

@Suitcasefuckup

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
I'd just leave it till tomorrow

Is it a thing now to put suitcases away from you on the train? Went in the Eurostar once but I can't recall what happened with luggage.

BadNomad · 13/02/2022 22:45

Just jab something sharp through the zipper to open it then buy a new case tomorrow. It's stupid to have nothing tonight then drag your luggage to a shop tomorrow in the hope that someone can open it.

tara66 · 13/02/2022 22:46

Numbers from birthdays?

Grasping · 13/02/2022 22:56

It’s a TSA lock. Combination lock only
The key hole is merely for a master key to unlock it for customs purposes.
The red dot will then turn black to alert you to the fact it has been opened

FangsForTheMemory · 13/02/2022 22:58

Have you tried your bank pin no. and your phone no?

Grasping · 13/02/2022 23:01

….. actually it turns red if tampered with.
Yours is red so I wonder if that’s your problem

Jellybean23 · 13/02/2022 23:10

Seems obvious but did you push the button towards the tabs?

PigletJohn · 13/02/2022 23:22

have you done it yet?

those suitcase locks are very poor quality

I find if you rotate the wheels, one at a time, in a backward direction (9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 ) with the edge of your thumb, you will feel it stop when you pass the correct number. Repeat this on the other numbers, then press the buttons.

If you feel nothing, apply light pressure to the button, pushing it sideways in the open direction, and rotate the wheels one at a time. One of them will be a bit stiffer, and will click when it falls into place. Then do the others, one at a time.

real combination locks, in a safe, don't click, they work differently.

mrsbyers · 13/02/2022 23:22

Google the suitcase and you’ll find details on how to override it - airport security do this all the time

Unoriginal43 · 13/02/2022 23:49

So op would rather go without and travel 30mins somewhere and then 30mins back all not to bust open the suitcase?
Pen in the zipper. Job done. So much drama

Clymene · 14/02/2022 00:06

I'd just break the bloody thing. I can't believe you're going to spend a morning of your holiday doing an hour's round trip without having brushed your teeth or changed your knickers. With a toddler!

SwishSwishBisch · 14/02/2022 00:08

This happened to me @Suitcasefuckup with an Antler, exact same type of lock. I bought a bolt cutter and snipped the metal zip ends that are trapped in the lock, that way I could still use the case until I got home

duckduckgo · 14/02/2022 00:44

@SwishSwishBisch

This happened to me *@Suitcasefuckup* with an Antler, exact same type of lock. I bought a bolt cutter and snipped the metal zip ends that are trapped in the lock, that way I could still use the case until I got home
Yes this has happened to us as well. Only we didn't cut it but pry it open using a screw driver. Just need to release the pull from the slider and it works just the same.
Original poster
Suitcasefuckup · 14/02/2022 06:49

Still had no luck, despite trying every method I can find! Including going through the bloody numbers again.

Can't face dragging toddler all the way out of town and back before our day even starts, so I'm going to throw myself on the mercy of the staff at the Samsonite shop, which is much closer. Hopefully they'll be able to open it, as it's the same lock system, or otherwise I'll see if they can break it open for me and buy another suitcase there and then. Wish me luck!

OP posts:
Unoriginal43 · 14/02/2022 07:51

HmmConfused

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 14/02/2022 08:00

I appreciate you've probably tried this but this might work - there's a bit of waffle and the bit you want starts at 1:10

notimagain · 14/02/2022 08:20

@Suitcasefuckup

Still had no luck, despite trying every method I can find! Including going through the bloody numbers again.

Can't face dragging toddler all the way out of town and back before our day even starts, so I'm going to throw myself on the mercy of the staff at the Samsonite shop, which is much closer. Hopefully they'll be able to open it, as it's the same lock system, or otherwise I'll see if they can break it open for me and buy another suitcase there and then. Wish me luck!

Firstly no wish to offend or teach how to suck eggs etc because I’m assuming you will know the suitcase well.

However since you’ve tried every combination of numbers twice thee is something odd going on..I have to ask if each time you set a (potential) combination are you then attempting to slide what you described as a button laterally (I think they usually slide towards the combination lock), rather than just push it inwards into the body of the case?

Had a few of these types of locks over the years, some of them are “buttons” which you push in, but many of them are actually “sliders”, and the sliders can be quite fiddly even when you’ve got the combination right.

However it works I hope somehow you get the thing open..good luck.