Suitcases have a max 2 trip usage limit!

[StopRainingNow]

I am starting to think there is no such thing as a suitcase that is not in essence disposable. I've never had one survive more than two trips without being broken, normally the wheels. So sick of keep buying new suitcases.

Does anyone know of any where the wheels don't snap, or become unusable?

Nonsense. I make on average two trips a month (so at least four flights) for work plus multiple holidays a year and I've never had a case come off with more than a few scratches.

If it's happening to every case you buy, you must be buying some incredibly cheap cases.

I have a huge timberland case I’ve had it since 2002 ! And I go on lots of trips and it still in tact ! 🤞

This is helpful, I shall start looking for ones like that

I'm using some my parents bought 25 years ago. They've been to Australia, NZ, Canada, Malaysia, etc.

I'm just back from a trip where I used the same case that was bought for my honeymoon in 1994. I think that the old-fashioned non-trolley type possibly last longer. (My case does have wheels, but only two at one end. It looks like an old-fashioned case, but you tilt it from one end and pull out a handle.)

My Tripp case must be 16 years old now and has flown around the world. It’s absolutely fine.

You haven't answered which brand/type of suitcase you are buying

I bought some from Argos (It is the brand I think) that we’ve used for 5-6 years. I had a proper Samsonite that lasted for more than 10 years.

Yes hardshell. I've had about 10 over the last 5 years. All different models/brands. It is so frustrating as they just seem to be destroyed at the airport.

Have super spenny lightweight Samsonites in a variety of sizes. Years old. Had one issue with wheels and Samsonite repaired
think we got what we paid for and they’ll last a lifetime

Totally agree, which is why I refuse to buy expensive luggage apart from carry on’s. If I use my cases more than twice it’s a bonus.

ours are lightweight hard shell

That must be an issue specific to whatever suitcases you're buying. I'm assuming cheap hard shells?
We've got cheapos from Sports Direct that are in their 10th year, and ancient ones from various brands acquired from charity shops. Only one ever suffered significant damage is a carry on sized case that has been used to death, and that's still usable with it's dodgy wheel.

We have Samsonite hard case ones without zips and have been on 2-3 holidays a year for 10 years with no problems at all. Bar a couple of faint scratches they look the same as when we bought them!

I’ve only had one case break and it was a cabin sized John Lewis own brand ultra lite hardshell and JL replaced it without a quibble under their guarantee.

My main suitcase is a lightweight hardshell Radley from what must be about 20 years ago. It’s done thousands of air miles and is very scuffed but wheels, zip and handle all fine and I know exactly how to pack it and stay under a 20kg limit. Plus a distinctive design so I often spot it whizzing around on the luggage vans while I’m sitting on the plane.

I’ve had my cases for 20 years plus, they were expensive at the time, but still OK. They are Voyager ones.

Anything bought in the past few years with the wheels that stick out don't last long you're right. I rarely have a hard suitcase last more than a few trips so I've gone back to soft case with embedded wheels.

The other posters all claiming their suitcases last 15 years - the quality is not the same anymore so not comparable.

Our suitcases are ‘Eastpak’ and ‘Away’ and are all great. The ‘It’ ones we had got broken on separate flights after r only a couple of uses, so although some people are recommending them, I wouldn’t.

Ours came from a neighbour decluttering and leaving them outside with a sign telling people to take them! No idea what brand they are or how old.

This is the case that I'm still using. Soft, as you can see. That's the handle at the corner. It pulls out and the wheels are at the opposite end. (Pic I accidentally took on holiday a couple of weeks ago.) I don't think that it was expensive back in '94.

Just get a replacement wheel 😵‍💫 what else could go wrong with a hard shell? Broken zip maybe? Ours have lasted about 10 years so far, just had our first broken wheel last week. Just take it to Timpsons.

We have it ones just been Amsterdam other day been 4 times in the last Yr poland last Yr we have 6 suitcases and 1 hold case

I have a small It hardshell one that I bought in 2008 that’s still going strong and has been checked many times over the years without issue. I also have a medium Rock hardshell that’s only been checked twice so far, but that’s also just fine and I expect it to last years.

Is your local airport particularly bad for damaging luggage? Baggage handling is done by airports rather than airlines, so it could be that you are flying through airports that are particularly rough with luggage.

That’s good to know, my Mum has just given me one of these! They are the lightest apparently.

I have a soft one that is at least 30 years old - though now only does UK hols in the car. Going strong. I bought my son one that has done one holiday to Spain, with friends family, and came back split. I think it's like fridges s and washing machines - the old one were the best. I have a 40 plus year old fridge freezer going strong in the garage (belonged to DPs mother before him) but the longest one has last since then is 10 years.