Insiders' secrets to Maximizing the value of your luggage purchase and getting "More for Your Money". Start by understanding that designer brands (i.e. Guess, Nautica, Ralph Lauren, etc.) are licensed brands that the importer / manufacturer must pay a royalty to the Brand Holder for the use of their brand name. This can equate to 15 – 20% of the retail price of the product. If you love the brand name, the design/color pallet, designer identification on the luggage, etc., then this product works for you. Some consumers purchase designer brands not expecting to use the product over an extended number of years, due to the desire of constantly wanting to change their style, or colors of their luggage. If this is you, then you might be the designer brand luggage consumer.
If you are the type of consumer that looks at your luggage purchase as a long-term investment and wants to maximize the value of your luggage, then you might want to avoid the designer branded luggage. True Luggage companies own their own brand names, so they do not need to license their own brand name and pay royalty fees to the Brand Holders. In this case, the amount of money that is saved, due to the exclusion of the royalty expense, either goes into the quality of the luggage (specifications, better parts, better material, better factories, etc.), marketing of their own brand names, bottom line / profit margins, etc.. In most cases, you get what you pay for when you are purchasing luggage brands. Here are some examples of luggage brands that own their own brand names:
· Samsonite
· Tumi
· Briggs & Riley
· Rimowa
· Bric’s
· Eagle Creek
· Travelpro
· Delsey
· Etc.
Some of these brands are committed to maintaining the integrity of their brand names, with a high level of quality, distributed through reputable retailers that offer top-shelf customer service, target the frequent fliers & business travelers, and market their brands as aspirational. Some of the other brands are more interested in volume, and are offered throughout the retail industry at every level, from Big Box, Mass Merchants (Target, Walmart, TJ Maxx, etc.) to Department Stores (Macy’s, Dillards, Belks, etc.) and Cyber Retailers ranging from all levels; (Amazon, eBags, Shoes.com, etc.). I think you get the picture. Whether you are looking for starter luggage up to premium luggage, we highly recommend investing in "true" luggage branded luggage.