Who buys luggage at the airport luggage store?

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Bravo-Buster@reddit

I've not bought there, but I have tried out several of the top products and then ordered online. It's hard to get a sense of what they will feel like, space, etc., from online images.

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usmcmech@reddit

People who's luggage has just broken while already at the airport and have no other option besides carrying all their clothes in a garbage bag.

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beepbeepboopbeep1977@reddit

I’ve done this, but it doesn’t explain the stores that are airside (after check in).

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birwin353@reddit

Your bag can break just as much in air side as on non air side

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Most airport shopping is airside in general. The stores don’t carry or sell a lot of the large checked bags (instead they mainly make money from totes, overnights, rollaboards, other carryons, and random accessories), but if you needed to, you could leave your broken bag with a partner/parent, in the car, the baggage claim office, a concierge, or a storage service and then go through security, buy the new bag, and repack at the bag drop, and then head through security again.

It’s a hassle, but better to have the option than be SOL.

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ttrw38@reddit

Because people buy them to stuff all that duty free shit they just bought

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Effective_Golf_3311@reddit

Yep.

My buddy put his suitcase on the rack to go thru the scanner and the zipper ripped clean off both sides due to overstuffing.

He was fortunate that there was a luggage store on the other side of security and not before!

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the_internet_rando@reddit

This was me, the one and only time I’ve ever bought luggage in an airport.

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andrew_ie@reddit

I've done this. Bag broke on the train to the airport. Needed a new bag, so swapped it over in the terminal.

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FailedCriticalSystem@reddit

What did you do with your old bag? The broken one

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andrew_ie@reddit

The shop in the airport that I bought the new one from took it and threw it away.

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FOOLS_GOLD@reddit

I had a roller bag break on the way to my gate. I bought a new overpriced one and the store threw away my old luggage.

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Gwenbors@reddit

Left it suspiciously unattended, I’d assume.

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AntiGravityBacon@reddit

Lol, I was once picking up a lost bag and the clerk was absolutely freaking out about a bag someone did this too.

Except it was half open, clearly broken and next to the garbage can...

It's like, I'm pretty sure your airline just destroyed that bag. Security was pretty prompt to check it through

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FailedCriticalSystem@reddit

That’s what I was wondering.

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lord_morningwood@reddit

Yup that’s me.

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Big_BadRedWolf@reddit

You're probably wondering how I got here.

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jetRink@reddit

If you're on your way home though, check if the airport will wrap your bag in plastic for you. I had a zipper break recently and that saved me from having to buy an overpriced bag that I didn't like very much.

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LupineChemist@reddit

PS. For people who haven't listened. This is a show much, much more about how the airport became how it is today compared to the original question.

Also, I think they really undersell just how much the hijacking problem vs. 9/11 contributed to modern security at airports. TSA was an evolution on existing design.

Also how much faster check-in and self-service kiosks have changed things is missed. For as much as people bitch about security, I remember you'd have to plan on at least an hour line to check in as recently as the 90s

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-Badger3-@reddit

Also, if you were into the podcast Reply All, this podcast is made by PJ Vogt, one of the former hosts.

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-Badger3-@reddit

For anyone who liked the podcast Reply All, this podcast is made by PJ, one of the former hosts.

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jayboogie15@reddit

Two days ago I actually saw some pretty good deals on suitcases in an airport store, even better than on the local malls.

The only weird thing was it being after security, so imagine only people with very special needs would buy anything.

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yetiflask@reddit

I used to wonder about it all the time - that is - until I myself bought one!

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Parking_Garage_6476@reddit

When your Mother-in-law hands you a Costco bag the size of a small elephant filled with cakes, chocolates, marzipan, for the rest of the family and says”they’ll just let it through as hand luggage” and then the Homeland Security people don’t agree with her assessment.

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sffunfun@reddit

I had a friend who bought an expensive handbag at the airport duty free at SFO, ON her way to a shopping paradise in Europe. YMMV

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kapnRover@reddit

I always wondered who shopped at overpriced airport stores until I became so busy that my only downtime during normal business hours occurs when I’m early for a flight and have a few minutes. Still don’t actually shop there but I now see how it can happen.

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DonnyGetTheLudes@reddit

They’re frequently unprofitable overall but exist to serve as advertising to a certain demographic. Who is going to see the Bose, Prada, Tiffany stores in the airport the most? People with the disposable income and/or elite jobs that they want to market to

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chateau86@reddit

Bose, Prada, Tiffany

And CrowdStrike and Salesforce. Oh God the Salesforce.

Although I am pretty sure the latter crowd are less happy to be stuck in the airport and/or are busy trying to min-max the expense they can file for the work trip.

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DonnyGetTheLudes@reddit

Its funniest at DCA. half of the advertisements are for Northrop Grumman’s newest missles or cybercounterterrorism aaS

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marrieditguy@reddit

Have totally tried on some stuff at Johnson and Murphy and found online to buy later / cheaper

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Desperate-Sorbet5284@reddit

Johnson and Murphy got me at DEN.

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DonnyGetTheLudes@reddit

Right on — I first tried Bose QC headphones in an airport ten years ago and a month later I had purchased them haha

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FluxProcrastinator@reddit

Decided to randomly wander into the balenciaga store in Amsterdam airport and everything last season was 50% off

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airfryerfuntime@reddit

They know they're ripping you off, you know they're ripping you off, and everyone knows there's not a single fucking thing anyone can do about it short of a revolution. I've just stopped looking at the price of airport shit, because I know it'll just ruin my day. I just flew yesterday, and I'm still salty about spending $8 on shitty coffee.

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tarlack@reddit

I have picked up two bags at the airport store. They had an amazing sale on Briggs & Rilley bags. Once in Denver 13 years ago, and in Houston before the store closed.

Once you get a good bag you do not go back. I was traveling with a person who had the Briggs bag and talked me into it. Spent $400 but over 13 years never had to replace my bag, my other bags got Replaced every 2 years at $200 a pop.

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smatzke84@reddit

“Fuck it, just grab a pile of shit. We’ll get a bag at the airport.” -Dave Attell

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tktrepid@reddit

One of my favorite bits of his, it always plays in my head when I’m at the airport haha.

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TEG_SAR@reddit

That’s a name I haven’t heard in ages.

I enjoyed staying up as a kid and watching his show. I think it was Insomnia with Dave Attell or something.

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Badrear@reddit

Check out Bumping Mics on Netflix.

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mottledmirror@reddit

People that turn up with their bags, weigh them and check them in.

Then before they go through security their relatives turn up with carrier bags of extra stuff which they attempt to carry on to the aircraft.

Sometimes this works but generally it doesn't. But if you've taken the contents out of the carrier bag and bought a cheap suitcase inside the airport then it will be put into the hold as you embark the aircraft.

Shitty trick and a good way to bugger up the weight and balance of the aircraft. Taken very seriously if spotted.

Any passengers on flights to LAGOS (Africa), DEL and BOM I'm talking to you, just stop it!

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cruiserman_80@reddit

Not luggage, but I've purchased Bose Noise Cancelling earbuds at the airport after my existing ones spontaneously failed the day I was leaving. Turns out that being duty-free, they were cheaper than I could buy them retail.

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slogive1@reddit

I did once. Not by choice.

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chris-za@reddit

I did once when the guy at check in noticed that my suitcase was overweight. He pointed out that bucking a bag at the “shop over there” would be cheaper than paying the overweight fee and that my ticket covered a second piece of luggage for free.

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ADCliff007@reddit

I always tend to pack before I get there.

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SwissCanuck@reddit

Me when I need to bring a 5L jug of maple syrup back home on short notice 😜

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Blackstar1886@reddit

Traveling is an opportune time to realize how much you hate your current luggage.

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NS_Hfx@reddit

We had to buy a piece of luggage at the Punta Cana airport in the Dominican. Huge ripoff but we had no choice.

We were just off an extended family cruise in San Juan, and trying to make it home to Halifax. They changed our flights several times and we ended up CONNECTING through Punta Cana for whatever reason. We took a short flight on Jet Blue flight from San Juan to Punta Cana, and then an Air Transat flight direct to Halifax.

When we claimed our bags to recheck with Transat, we found that one of our brand new hard shell bags was absolutely mangled beyond repair. It must have gotten caught in machinery or something. There was no way we could use it for the flight home.

We ended up buying a bag at one of the few shops that were still open, and it cost a fortune! Thankfully Jet Blue refunded us the cost of that bag.

So, yes, it does happen, and they know how to make a nice profit off people’s circumstances.

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BigDaddydanpri@reddit

Plenty of reasons. Also, if nothing ever sold at this joint it would be closed.

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Vau8@reddit

Although it was no question, and I didn’t listen the pc, here are some shoots from the hip: - Change Agents. New Luggage, new apparel. - People, with lost/delayed luggage who urgently need a new one, to put the new clothes in. - Spontaneous folks with ugly, worn bags who want it shiny and new at this very moment. - Smugglers, turning the big wheel.

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Superdry_GTR@reddit

I like this shiny and new at this very moment part!

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Vau8@reddit

:D

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omega552003@reddit

Also over weight bags

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AntiGravityBacon@reddit

I've done this with a small duffel. Rather spent the $20 than carry it around in plastic bag for multiple layovers.

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Taliazer@reddit

My dad. "Sir the limit is 20 kgs per luggage. This weighs 35"

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atlanticroc@reddit

People who go to airports to shop around!

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MuttonRoll@reddit

Me

Overstuffed suitcase weighing 60kgs, I packed in a hurry and ran to catch my flight. Bag wasn't allowed as it was over the permissible limit of a single article of luggage. Hence I had to buy a new full size suitcase and split my things

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DodgyDoughnuts@reddit

Maybe a group of guys who are on a stag do, one of them grabs another person's bag, attempts to make the bag fit in Ryanair's bag size checker, doesn't quite fit so very forcefully forces the bag into the size checker ripping the bag. Then as they attempt to pull the bag out, rip it even more, destroying the bag in the process. Thus resulting in the guy who tested his mates bag size, having to buy a new bag.

Those are probably the people who airport bag shops are for.

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GabeLorca@reddit

I do, the airlines breaks my bag. Gives me a voucher to the airport store so I can go find a replacement. I repack, they throw away my old suitcase and I can continue on my trip.

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KiloAlphaLima@reddit

I always laughed at those stores and thought “only a moron would pay for a suitcase at the airport” and then one of my suitcases broke and wouldn’t work properly and I bought a new suitcase at an airport during a layover. I was embarrassed but maybe that happens to enough people that they make it work.

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candycane7@reddit

I thought most airports stores served more as showrooms to increase brand awareness and display new products to see and feel in person but not necessarily sell them right away to customers.

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Deathwalker47@reddit

My wife and I actually ended up buying luggage at an airport store. We were on our way back from Las Vegas after a conference. Her bag full of swag broke. We tried stuffing everything into our other carry on and backpacks but that didn’t work. We ended up buying a Vera Bradley Toy Story pattern duffle bag at Las Vegas airport. My wife is a big Vera Bradley fan. The bag was on “sale” but still at a markup, but not too crazy according to her. We looked at a few other stores and the Vera Bradley was not much more expensive that the cheapest option and much higher quality. Since then it has become our go to overnight bag and I feel we’ve gotten our moneys worth.

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Otherwise-Ruin4053@reddit

I do. I go to the airport, for intl travel, and buy my suitcase and clothes in the terminal. They have great luxury brands and I don’t have to think about packing bc I just buy my clothes at the airport and destination.

Bc of this I have a diverse collection of clothing and great brands that are only available in some parts of the world

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