As an update to my earlier post about the Delsey soft-sided 22" x 14" x 9" carry-on, I wanted to share what happened after using it on a 3-week trip through Europe. Unfortunately, the bag did not hold up - two of the wheels fell off, and the telescopic handle broke after only a few days of walking on Italy’s cobblestone streets.
When I contacted Delsey, their customer service was disappointing. Because they have no repair centers in North Carolina, I was told I’d have to ship it at my own expense to another state for evaluation. Only if they decided it qualified under warranty would they cover the repair and return shipping.
To make matters worse, the repair center told me Delsey doesn’t cover wheel damage, even though the product tags claim the luggage has been tested for durability - including drops, stairs, and other stress tests. I called before sending back to see if it was worth it. Each wheel was $25 + the shipping of the bag, and if Delsey decided not to cover the warranty I had to pay for return shipping as well. The Delsey representative even said the wheels were “not made for cobblestone streets,” which seems unreasonable for a travel bag marketed for international use.
I would not recommend this bag for anyone traveling to Europe or anywhere you might encounter uneven pavement. It became a major inconvenience when I had to carry it instead of rolling it for the last week of our trip.
For comparison, our Samsonite bag held up perfectly, and I’ve since purchased a Rick Steves spinner for future trips.
If you’re shopping for a reliable carry-on, I hope this review saves you the frustration I experienced. You may also want to look at the Better Business Bureau, where there are multiple complaints about Delsey’s warranty and customer service.