Samsonite Skywheeler

Until the shell falls apart it's fine – Really loved the weight, size and handling on all types of transport in Europe, North and South America and Asia. When it was new the occasional dent would just spring back when giving it a firm kick, but after a couple of years of usage dents would just turn into cracks. The first small crack from having it hit by skis and snowboards I could accept, but having it lightly packed for a 20kg domestic flight and then on arrival found the shell completely shredded on a corner is unacceptable for an expensive brand name product. Obviously the material of the shell deteriorates into a brittle compound after a while, but you don't want to find out about that halfway into the jungle with nothing to replace or repair it.

Avoid Samsonite – Avoid Samsonite. I bought two Samsonite Sky Wheelers 15 months ago, thinking they were a good quality product and brand. The first developed a 30cm crack on only its 3rd trip, in the boot of my car, presumably having become weak through having been on only 3 flights before! Two Sydney Luggage staff openly admitted to me that the Samsonite bags they had sold me were made of poor quality plastics, had experienced many failures, and Samsonite no longer use the type of plastic involved.....but apparently it's my fault through not seeking to blame an airline (before it was cracked), or through having had a car crash (when I didn't so much as hit a pot hole).

Samsonite's extravagant testing claims and warranty are clearly worthless, and Sydney Luggage don't have the decency to even ask Samsonite for a response -they just referred me to Samsonite - who referred me back to Sydney Luggage.

Wheels jammed after 2 weeks lite travel. Being ignored by customer service – After two weeks of travel with a lightly packed suitcase both back wheels are jammed meaning I have to carry this stupid case instead of roll it. The worst part is I have been emailing Samsonite, using the contact form on their main site for 2 weeks without a single response. This case is ruining my long awaited European trip. I finally found their German phone number and called. All they will do is post replacement wheels which take 2 weeks to get anywhere. Then I have to install them myself. I looked at the case and I need some strange tool that is not a normal screwdriver to take the wheels off. I can not find any instructions as to what it is.

I really expected more. Never ever buy one of their cheaply built products

Faulty manufacturing. No customer service

Handle Broke on first trip – The pullout handle that is needed to wheel the suitcase broke on the first trip. I now does not come in or out. This is a real disappointment for such an expensive suitcase. The case looks very cool, but that does not assist if it does not work and breaks easily. Fully sealed. No zippers. Expensive. Broke on first use.

Hardy and reliable – Have used this suitcase to Europe, Egypt and Asia. For a 76 cm (height) hardcase suitcase, it is quite light at 4.4 kg. Can also fit a lot of clothes in the 2 separate compartments. It is easy to wheel around at airports and quite distinctive to spot on the airport's conveyor belt upon retrieval at arrival airports. Is often available at discounted price Paid $299, but can now be bought at $229 at an on-line store.