Your suitcase took a beating on the last trip. The wheel wobbles, there's a crack in the shell, or the zip won't close. And you're standing there wondering: fix it, or buy a new one?
We hear that question at the counter every day. The honest answer is that most luggage damage is worth repairing — but not all of it. Here's how we'd help you decide.
The common repairs, and what they involve
Most damage falls into a handful of categories. None of them mean the whole case is finished.
Wheels
One of the most common repairs we see. Spinner wheels crack, inline wheels wear flat, and some snap off after a hard landing. We replace the wheel or the whole wheel module with a compatible part, and it usually costs a small fraction of a new case. Our wheel repair guide covers what you can try at home first.
Telescopic and carry handles
A pull handle that won't extend, won't lock or rattles in its housing can usually be repaired or replaced on its own, without touching the rest of the case. It's straightforward at the bench but hard to do well at home.
Zippers
Sliders wear out, teeth split and pulls snap off. Often a new slider is all it takes; if the teeth or tape are damaged, we replace the zip and stitch the new one in.
TSA locks
A jammed mechanism or a forgotten combination doesn't mean the case is finished. We can reset, repair or replace the lock with a TSA-accepted one.
Shell cracks
Polycarbonate and ABS shells can crack on impact. A crack repair reinforces the shell so it's sound to travel with again. Be aware that on some cases a line may still be visible afterwards — we'll tell you what to expect before we start.
Dents and frame alignment
Aluminium and some hard-shell cases dent, and a hard knock can pull the frame out of line so the case won't close properly. We can usually improve a dent significantly and realign a frame; whether a dent disappears completely depends on how deep it is and where it sits.
Stitching and fabric
Torn seams, ripped panels and loose straps on soft-sided bags can be re-stitched and reinforced.
Current prices and turnaround for each repair are on our repair services page.
When repair makes more sense
- The damage is in one place. One broken wheel, one cracked corner, one jammed zip — each has a targeted fix.
- Everything else is sound. If the frame, shell and lining are in good shape, one broken part isn't a reason to throw the case away.
- You like the bag. You know how it packs and how it fits in the overhead bin. That's worth something.
When replacing may be the better call
- Several things are failing at once. If the wheels, handle and zip are all going, the combined repair can get close to the price of a new case.
- The frame is badly warped or the shell is cracked in several places. Past a point, the repair isn't practical.
Whether a bag is worth repairing depends on the type and extent of the damage, its overall condition and the repair it needs — not on how much it originally cost. So before you throw a damaged case away, let us assess it. If a repair isn't worth it, we'll say so. We'd rather tell you that than take the job.
Repair keeps a bag out of landfill
A suitcase is a mix of plastics, metal, fabric and foam, and very little of it is recycled. Replacing a wheel uses a few small parts; a new case means new materials, manufacturing and shipping. If the rest of the bag is sound, repairing it is usually the lower-impact choice as well as the cheaper one. We go into this in more detail in why repairing is better than replacing.
Three typical jobs
A cracked corner. A hard-shell case comes in with a split corner from the baggage hall; the rest of it is in good condition. We reinforce the crack, check the wheels and zip while it's here, and it goes back into service.
A zip that jammed before a holiday. A family finds their case won't close a week before they fly. A new slider or a replacement zip, and they travel with the same bag. If you're up against a date, tell us when you message — see "Turnaround" below.
A dented aluminium case. An aluminium case arrives with several dents after a long-haul flight. We improve the dents and realign the frame so it closes cleanly — far less than the cost of a new aluminium case.
Turnaround
Simple jobs like a wheel or a slider can often be done quickly. Shell, frame and stitching work takes longer — sometimes a week or more, depending on the damage and whether we need to order a part. The repair services page lists the usual turnaround for each job.
If you have a trip coming up, message us early with photos and your travel date, and we'll tell you whether we can make it.
Not sure it's worth fixing?
Send us a few photos on WhatsApp. We'll tell you what the repair involves, roughly what it costs, and whether it makes sense for your bag. Or walk in to any of our workshops for a free quote — don't like the price? Walk out with the same bag, no charge. Find your nearest workshop and today's hours on the workshops page.