What do you do with your old suitcases?

[Mattg]

So, your suitcase is approaching the end of its life. After years of trusty service, it's battered and bruised, the wheels aren't what they used to be and the handle's starting to come off. It's time to get a new suitcase.

What do you do with the old one?

I suspect many people just throw their old luggage away. That's what I've mostly done in the past, but it's not particularly sustainable. Is there a better option?

Do you take the suitcase back to the store and ask for it to be replaced or repaired under warranty?

Is there somewhere you can take your old suitcase to get it recycled, or repaired and reused?

Rimowa offers to buy back old suitcases (similar to trading in an old phone) which it then "re-crafts" and sells again. But I can't think of many other brands that will do this.

I recall once turning up to CBR with two checked bags, when I really only needed and wanted to check in one of them. Long story which I won't go into here. The short version is: I ended up checking in only one of the bags, and the VA check-in staff mentioned that they would gladly take my second (empty) suitcase if I didn't want it. Apparently they like to keep a few used suitcases around for various purposes, including as replacements for passengers with lost bags. Saved me trying to fit it in the airport rubbish bin!

 

[luxury-lizard]

Hum that's interesting - as charity shops (in Sydney at least) have a policy of not accepting suitcases even ones in good condition. I have a couple of suitcases which I no longer use in my carpark storage cage. Of course before arriving at the airport checkin with an extra suitcase I'd like to know in advance if the airline would accept it. (As an aside I once had a hotel concierge take a used suitcase with a broken wheel which I had just replaced - like the airline, he said they like to have a couple of spares for customers who needed one).

 

[VPS]

I had a hard shell carry on where the handle broke and gave it away on my buy nothing group for someone to store things in her shed

They are also often looking for large cases where people put particular size clothes and it gets passed around. You take something out and put something in and pass it on

 

[serfty]

I generally repair mine where I can. My current rollaboard which I've had for well over a decade is on its third pair of wheels/bearings.

 

[SydneySwan]

Mrs SS is fond of buying a new suitcase overseas and then abandoning her old one (which is usually still in good condition) at the hotel we are staying at.

I make sure to always leave a note on the case so that the hotel knows it has been deliberately left behind. I also leave the key in the lock but the case unlocked and remove the Apple Air Tag.

 

[SYD]

I use one old massive one (can’t believe I ever bought it) to store photos and stuff and park it under the bed. Stops the contents getting covered in dust.

But for a recently returned suitcase, give it a good few weeks elsewhere at home in case it’s picked up bedbugs!

 

[gaz0303]

I generally repair mine where I can. My current rollaboard which I've had for well over a decade is on its third pair of wheels/bearings.

I had to replace the wheels on my Crumpler bag recently. The joy of being thrifty, environmentally sound and getting continued use of a great bit of gear from the task was extremely satisfying.

I’ve got two old suitcases that act as storage boxes for keepsakes.

 

[Aeryn]

When I upgraded my luggage post covid, I donated my older bags to my parents who travel infrequently.

FYI local charity shop does take unbroken luggage.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I use one old massive one (can’t believe I ever bought it) to store photos and stuff and park it under the bed. Stops the contents getting covered in dust.

But for a recently returned suitcase, give it a good few weeks elsewhere at home in case it’s picked up bedbugs!

This!

I use them for storage.Throw in a couple of moth balls and good to set and forget.

No joy discovering half a dozen suitcases when moving house after 30 years. Mostly junk.

But there was some good stuff in there!

 

[kpc]

My trusty 2 wheeler carryon Antler bought in HK in 2006 ie 19 years old has had it....the zip has been repaired many times; once the handle couldn't retract so I took it apart and found a piece had broken off....I kept an eye out for Council collection day, found an old Antler by the road, took the handle apart, and retrieved the piece to replace the broken bit and the handle was good to go again. Unfortunately, last August, I could not open the lock whilst travelling in Namibia as I think it must have been dropped on the combination lock....had to get the hotel staff to cut open the lock for me! I brought it home but 2 weeks ago bought a 4 wheeler Samsonite replacement...not as good! I don't have the heart to throw out my trusty well travelled friend!

 

[leadman]

What old suitcase? Just returned last night, trip 46 with my Samsonite Aeris. On second set of wheels and handle, 1.2 million miles and counting.

 

[lovestotravel]

Leave in the street, and it gets taken pretty quickly

 

[Mattg]

I generally repair mine where I can. My current rollaboard which I've had for well over a decade is on its third pair of wheels/bearings.

Do you repair it yourself, or take it into a shop that does this professionally?

Mrs SS is fond of buying a new suitcase overseas and then abandoning her old one (which is usually still in good condition) at the hotel we are staying at.

I make sure to always leave a note on the case so that the hotel knows it has been deliberately left behind. I also leave the key in the lock but the case unlocked and remove the Apple Air Tag.

I wonder what the hotel staff think about left-behind suitcases?

 

[serfty]

Do you repair it yourself, or take it into a shop that does this professionally?

Myself. Get the replacement parts on eBay.

 

[Mattg]

Myself. Get the replacement parts on eBay.

If you have the skills to repair suitcases, you could probably make a bit of money from repairing other peoples' as well!

I wouldn't personally know how to do this myself.

 

[serfty]

If you have the skills to repair suitcases, you could probably make a bit of money from repairing other peoples' as well!

I wouldn't personally know how to do this myself.

I do have a pretty comprehensive set of tools.

FWIW, I was repairing things like clocks and TVs in my early teens

 

[leadman]

How could I ever get rid of the ol' bag! I was about to put the high pressure spray-gun over it recently, but the daughters stopped me. I did a quick recount and its done about 1.3 million miles on roughly 560 cargo holds!

 

[Matt_01]

I have an old one that I use for storing my travel hoard. I gifted another to a Mongolian Nomad family, I had no intention of bringing it back to AU and she was more than happy to take it. My bag with a new owner

 

[AIRwin]

How could I ever get rid of the ol' bag! I was about to put the high pressure spray-gun over it recently, but the daughters stopped me. I did a quick recount and its done about 1.3 million miles on roughly 560 cargo holds!

Reminds me of bag-ttle scars

 

[SydneySwan]

I wonder what the hotel staff think about left-behind suitcases?

I think they are resigned to it. My methodology was developed following advice from a hotel housekeeping manager in Kuala Lumpur about 15 years ago.