The awful journey to buy replacement wheels for a Samsonite bag

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

(ahem)

What I mean is: I love my Samsonite bag. I think this spare parts process could potentially be improved somewhat with a better user experience, consolidating conflicting workflows for users, and synergizing different streamlines for improved customer support.

Some ways that this experience could be improved are:
1. Have only one official page to enter the product ID.
2. Have that one official page show the only correct way to identify the product ID.
3. Make clear to the customer whether support and/or spare parts are still available the moment the product ID is entered.
4. Have the product ID located in an easier to access place in the bag.

Thank you.

[lander]

I did this dance with an allsteel office chair. Finally got to the price the part I wanted was nearly 80% of the cost of a new chair. 300$ plus shipping for a part on a chair that I could go buy new for 400$. My head exploded.

[Wizkid]

Might be able to use the oem part numbers/description to find an aftermarket or NOS option. Still sucks as a user experience, though. Sadly very common these days - why sell you parts when they can just tell you to buy a new one!

[ALLEAREALESTATE]

Going throught this right now on 2 different bags. Do not know where to look anymore. Thinking of using cardboard boxers for luggage in the future!

[fooboomoo]

my recommendation if anyone is looking for a duffle on wheels: get an ortlieb trolly. they carry replacements for everything all the time and are super sturdy. they call them offroad trollies and they really are. like the Duffle RS 110 or RD 85

[foobar]

The cool thing about IKEA chairs is you can take the wheels off as easy as you can put them on & if one breaks you can walk to an IKEA store and get a replacement for free. The only problem is the wheels break so much that the stores are always out of replacements >.<

[sNajlicious]

at this point i would try to fill the crack with silicone myself. even if it only holds for a year, it is still a lot cheaper

[davidrmcmahon]

Seems like worth buying spare wheels when you buy a bag! Is it possible to repair your current wheels?

[SnowRaver-pv]

My office chair arm rests are EASILY changed, with 2 bolts. Does anyone sell replacements? Nope.
My relative has a stethoscope from the 80s. Very expensive. Lifetime warranty. (How long is that? Idk cuz you can't find the warranty terms anymore) They won't honor the warranty. Ok. Do they sell the parts? No. Only the new parts that are JUST different enough to not work even though they look identical and stethoscopes haven't changed since they were invented... (Hyperbole, leave me alone)
Maybe a Chinese seller is still making them, but we didn't look into it any further. We found a kit on ebay that MAYBE fit but are over $200...

[GP]

fuck I would throw things. There were even photos of the parts. Amazing.

[pyromaniac]

Could you not use epoxy putty and just sand it down afterwards?

[Aekif]

I lost a wheel on a samsonite bag. dropped it off for repair at a place near me. 4 replacement wheels was $18 and they replaced all my zippers and stuff to. Sometimes its better to let someone who knows what they're doing just take care of stuff for you.

[watahyahknow]

oh well, you now have a number you can try at that other shop, and you have pictures of the wheelset (maibe even the samsonite partnumbers ) , should be eazy enough to find a replacement now

[Michaelguaylambert]

I’ve dealt with Samsonite service. They’re awfull. They replaced my luggage only after legal threatening and only for a cheaper one.

[mikequinn]

This is the sort of problem that is screaming at you to go buy a 3d printer.