OMG!! Samsonite just bought Tumi

[rr-nyc]

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

Hopefully Tumi's standards of quality are left intact. Interestingly samsonite has a stronger brand perception here in Asia than it does in the USA. My wife (Chinese and Korean by heritage) did not believe me when I told her it wasn't considered a luxury brand back in the USA

That's not surprising at all. Samsonite really focused it's marketing outside of the US, whether intentionally or neglectfully. It also helps that it's owned by an Asian/European PE firm that took it public on the Hong Kong exchange.

This acquisition not only broadens Samsonite's market but puts them in the premium market without having to compete for it.

[threemonkeys]

Originally Posted by Jocke

Will they still made this one?

Haha. Jocke never disappoints. And, yeah, I feel like the Tumi cool factor just took a hit.

[77T]

Tuminite is new name for next generation methinks


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[lig]

Originally Posted by bayerische

Luckily theres Rimowa.

+1. Last three pieces have been Rimowa. Enjoying them. Wifey loves hers too.

I used to buy Tumi exclusively until they dropped the lifetime warranty a while back.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by SearChart

Your true TUMI stuff will probably be very valuable in the future, so keep it mint

I hope you are right!

Originally Posted by swils8610

Buy as much as you can now before Samsonite cheapens it up!!!

I mean no offense to Samsonite, but what you state is exactly my fear... I am not an expert (by any means) in the industry, but I have had both brands, and IMHO, Tumi FAR exceeds the Sam in quality.

Originally Posted by Chewbacca

good deal for both parties.

Could be, I am not sure how it is good for Tumi... But, admit to being ignorant on a lot of things, and this industry is one of them!

Originally Posted by Israguard

Samsonite imho have really upped their game in the suitcase department these past few years I find. I bought one in Asia and it wasn't cheap...upwards of $500 and frankly worth every penny.

That is good to hear, if Samsonite is doing this as a way to increase their quality then maybe this is a good thing, I am just fearful that a blending of the two will bring the median of quality down; not up. (Let's hope I'm wrong).

I hope they can run them as separate brands.

Good idea, I do too.

Originally Posted by Boothroyd

I am a Tumi fan also. Samsonite…there goes the brand.

That was my first impression, let's hope we're wrong.

Originally Posted by cop414

Paul your luggage is probably worthless now, I'll pay for the shipping if you'd like to get rid of it ...

Wow... What an incredible gesture Tim... I... I don't know what to say; brings a tear to my eye. Ok, I will get everything packed up and send you the shipping invoice.... Thanks so much!

Originally Posted by Alexwwjd

As a Tumi fan, I think it will be good for the brand. Samsonite is great quality and good service

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I am being hard on Samsonite, but I hope you are right

Originally Posted by Kingair

I can imagine . . if all customers are like Paul

I don't know too many that are like me....

Originally Posted by superdog

Makes sense for them to obtain a nicer brand.

Probably no real difference in the end product.

And while I don't have your passion for it, tumi and I go back a very long way, and it's the only bag I'll buy.

I hope you are right too! I just wonder what it will mean, are all the Tumi stores now going to be "Samsonite" stores? I just can't see that being a good thing....

Originally Posted by THC

Bad idea, Tumi comes with too much baggage

Not sure if it was meant as a joke, but I laughed... "Tumi comes with too much baggage...."

Originally Posted by Star Ferry

Hopefully Tumi's standards of quality are left intact. Interestingly samsonite has a stronger brand perception here in Asia than it does in the USA. My wife (Chinese and Korean by heritage) did not believe me when I told her it wasn't considered a luxury brand back in the USA

I hope so too, and I could be way wrong about all this with my (biased) opinion of Samsonite. I guess time will tell.

Originally Posted by Israguard

I bought a Rimowa in Germany less than a year ago. The metal stainless type.
A wheel broke recently on it. I googled them and found their service center in Canada. Sent them an email.

They asked for serial number of suitcase which they told me where to find and 48 hours later Fedex arrives with two replacement wheels and the tool.. No charge.

That's servixe

That sounds great! I had a similar thing with Tumi, years ago which is one of the reasons I am addicted to them now. I had an old carry on, beat to hell, with a broken wheel and some other damage. I sent it in to Tumi asking for a repair quote. They shipped it back completely over-hauled, it looked like new... FOR FREE! Keep in mind, this was not some warranty repair, the thing was several years old and had several hundred thousand miles of travel on it. That service is just one of the reasons I have so much respect for the brand.

Originally Posted by threemonkeys

Haha. Jocke never disappoints. And, yeah, I feel like the Tumi cool factor just took a hit.

DON'T ENCOURAGE JOCKE!!!!!!!

[rr-nyc]

Samsonite is a smart company and will keep the Tumi brand separate from Samsonite. You don't spend $1.8B, primarily for a brand and then muck it all up.

IMO, Tumi's quality cannot get any worse for a premium product. Their product today is nothing like it was 10 years ago or longer. I have a Tumi bags from 1995 that have more miles on them than any other luggage I own yet they still looks better than a 1 year old Tumi I have now... The problem is they don't have wheels or the storage of newer bags.

[m1911a1]

I only use Hartmann and have for 35 years....
They've reduced they're Belting Leather offerings down to almost nothing.
Sometimes I feel K-Mart bought them out these days.

[rr-nyc]

Originally Posted by m1911a1

I only use Hartmann and have for 35 years....
They've reduced they're Belting Leather offerings down to almost nothing.
Sometimes I feel K-Mart bought them out these days.

I haven't looked at Hartmann in a long time but its sad to see that they don't have as much belting leather goods anymore. Hartman made some beautiful stuff. I had a Hartman soft sided brief for 10 years. The belting leather wore so beautifully but the bottom became so discolored from touching wet floors and sidewalks that I had to retire it. The only downside was that it was heavy, even when empty

[cop414]

Paul, thanks for sending all that luggage my way, feel free to keep this one though, it's kind of creepy,,,

[jmiicustomz]

Originally Posted by cop414

Paul, thanks for sending all that luggage my way, feel free to keep this one though, it's kind of creepy,,,

I agree with Tim but feel that one man should have to shoulder so much product that is sure to be worthless soon. So keep the one and split the rest between Tim and I so that I may do my part to carry the burden.

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by jmiicustomz

I agree with Tim but feel that one man should have to shoulder so much product that is sure to be worthless soon. So keep the one and split the rest between Tim and I so that I may do my part to carry the burden.

Man... You guys... You two are the best.... I.. I don't know what to say...

Kind of chokes me up...

[CRM114]

Originally Posted by dera

Still - you should ditch the Tumi and join the B&R crowd!

I can't understand why everyone already hasn't.

[cop414]

Originally Posted by TheVTCGuy

Man... You guys... You two are the best.... I.. I don't know what to say...

Kind of chokes me up...

You don't have to say anything Paul, just send us the luggage, you can thank us later!

[CRM114]

Originally Posted by Jocke

Will they still made this one?

I'd do anything to be able to unsee this.

[Hairdude1]

Originally Posted by Jocke

Will they still made this one?