eBay Guides - Luggage Buying Guide
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Luggage Buying Guide


The perfect luggage helps make a trip successful. So the next time you travel, whether it's an overnight stay at Aunt Sally's, or a 14-day cruise, get the right garment bag, backpack, duffle bag, carry-on, tote, or suitcase on eBay Canada, the world's most inclusive luggage store.

Get Luggage That Fits Your Needs


Get Luggage That Fits Your Needs

You'll find the most trusted brands in luggage, including American Tourister, Atlantic, Briggs & Riley, Eagle Creek, Hartmann, Samsonite, Travelpro, and Tumi, on eBay. Buy larger-sized luggage for long trips and keep your luggage sizes small for short trips. Or buy a luggage set that includes suitcases, carry-ons, and garment bags in a variety of sizes.

Large suitcases and Pullmans

There are three types of suitcases and Pullmans: hard-sided, semi-soft, and soft-sided. Each can be anywhere from 24 inches to 36 inches in size.

  • Hard-sided suitcases: Hard-sided suitcases feature wheels, locks, and pull straps and are especially durable against wear and tear. Many are constructed of plastic, metal, or other molded materials; others feature wood or metal interior frames and a soft covering like fabric or leather.

  • Semi-soft suitcases: Lightweight semi-soft suitcases offer more room for expansion than other types of suitcases and most have wheels and straps for easy transport.

  • Soft-sided suitcases: Light and expandable soft-sided suitcases have zipper closures and stiffeners instead of an interior framework.

Small luggage options

Select small luggage items designed for overnight travel, short trips, and airplane use.

  • Carry-on luggage: Carry-on luggage is small enough to stow under an airplane seat, usually less than 22 inches in size. Carry-on luggage is available in hard, semi-soft, or soft varieties.

  • Business Cases: Business cases can hold your computer, important papers and, in some cases, an overnight change of clothes.

  • Duffle bags: Big and roomy duffle bags have soft sides and will carry a lot of clothes and accessories. Look for duffle bags with handles and wheels to ease maneuverability.

  • Totes and casual bags: Simple tote bags in every size are ideal for day trips and other casual outings. More elaborate models feature pockets and shoulder straps.

  • Garment bags and carriers: Use garment bags to transport suits, dresses, and other special clothes on hangers. Available in 40- to 60-inch lengths, garment bags can hold two to four items.

  • Backpacks: Designed for more casual traveling and outdoor trips, backpacks work for people willing to pack light. Your shoulders and back need to support all the weight in your backpack. The saying goes, “Pack everything you think you’ll need; then get rid of half of it.”


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Search Out the Perfect Luggage


Search Out the Perfect Luggage

When looking for luggage, choose substance and practicality over style.

Luggage construction

You want a lot of reinforcement on your luggage.

  • Get luggage with taped seams between the zipper and the bag for less fraying.

  • Ensure that outside joints are reinforced with welts and piping to stand up to the abuse of luggage handlers.

  • Look for seams that are individually lockstitched for greater durability.

Luggage fabric

The luggage industry uses the word "denier" to describe luggage durability. Generally speaking, the higher denier the better. You'll also want a strong fabric.

Durable nylon and polyester hold up well in the seams of your luggage. Nylon luggage should be a minimum 400 denier, woven in a tight construction. Look for a ballistic weave that is more resistant to tearing.

Leather is also strong and durable and may give your luggage a distinctive look.

Luggage frames

Fiberglass inner luggage frames offer a lighter load as well as durability. Aluminum and durable plastic luggage frames also provide sturdiness and light weight.

Luggage hardware

Make sure your garment bag has two brackets to prevent wrinkles, a number of handles to suit your needs, and straps to hold your clothes in place.

Pull handles

Make sure the handles are recessed so they are not exposed to damage.

Wheels

Check for wheels that have a wide track, have a bearing system, and are recessed into the actual frame of the bag.

Zippers

Larger zippers are easier to use and usually last longer than smaller zippers.


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Pick Up Must-Have Luggage Accessories


Pick Up Must-Have Luggage Accessories

Get the right accessories to make carrying your luggage more functional.

  • Straps: Luggage straps can get lost. Keep extra luggage straps around to make sure you can keep your bag closed.

  • Locks: Make sure your valuables are safe with quality luggage locks.

  • Carts: If you have an older bag without wheels, don’t lug it around. Find a cart to wheel your bag through the airport.

  • Luggage tags: Ensure your bag has your name, address, and phone number with a luggage tag. Keep an extra inside your suitcase in case it gets lost.

  • Garment steamer: Take the wrinkles out of your clothes with a garment steamer.


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Find Luggage on eBay


Find Luggage on eBay

Once you know what type of luggage you want, go to the Travel portal, click Luggage, and start searching for items on eBay.

  • Categories: The Categories list on the left side of each page will help you narrow down your listings by item type. You'll find links for Backpacks, Carry-ons, Sets, Garment Bags, and more.

  • Keyword Search: Search eBay listing titles for specific words. For example, if you want to find a five-piece Samsonite luggage set, type “samsonite 5” (without quotation marks) into the Search box. Select "Search title and description" to expand your results. Visit eBay's Search Tips page for more tips on searching with keywords.

If you can't find exactly what you want, try shopping eBay Stores, tell the eBay Community what you want by creating a post on Want It Now, or save a search on My eBay and eBay will email you when a match becomes available.


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Buy Luggage With Confidence


Buy Luggage With Confidence

Before making your purchase, make sure you know exactly what you're buying, research your seller, and understand how eBay and PayPal protect you.

Know your purchase

Carefully read the details in item listings.

  • Figure delivery costs into your final price. If you spend a lot of money, make sure the seller will insure the item when it ships.

  • If you want more information, ask by clicking the "Ask seller a question" link under the seller's profile.

  • Always make sure to complete your transaction on eBay (with a bid, Buy It Now, or Best Offer). Transactions conducted outside of eBay are not covered by eBay protection programs.

  • Never pay for your eBay item using instant cash wire transfer services through Western Union or MoneyGram. These payment methods are unsafe when paying someone you do not know.

Know your seller

Research your seller so you feel positive and secure about every transaction.

  • What is the seller's Feedback rating? How many transactions have they completed? What percentage of positive responses do they have?

  • What do buyers say in their Feedback? Did the seller receive praise?

  • Most top eBay sellers operate like retail stores and have return policies. Do they offer a money-back guarantee? What are the terms and conditions?

Buyer protection

In the unlikely event that a problem arises during your transaction, eBay and PayPal are there for you.

  • Pay safely with PayPal: PayPal enables you to pay without the seller ever seeing your bank account or credit card numbers. In fact, PayPal protects buyers 100% against unauthorized payments from their accounts. Plus, with PayPal Buyer Protection, your purchase can be covered up to C$1,250.

  • eBay Security & Resolution Centre: Visit the Security & Resolution Centre to learn how to protect your account and use eBay's quick and efficient resolution tools.


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