Best time to buy luggage, and when to skip the sale

Verdict: Wait for a slow travel month, but buy at least a few weeks before a trip. The sale price does not help if the bag fails.

When is the best time to buy luggage? In general, after peak travel seasons and during holiday sale events, when stores want to clear stock. Dates change each year, so check the retailer for current offers.

What is the rule?

Pick the size and type first. Carry-on rules and checked bag limits differ by airline, so read the airline's own page. Then set a target price using the price-history check, and wait for it.

What matters more than the discount?

• Wheels and handle. These break first. Look at how they attach and whether parts can be replaced.
• Zips and seams. Check for loose stitching and weak zips in reviews.
• Warranty. Some makers cover defects for years. Terms vary.
• Return window. Test the bag by packing it. If it flexes or tips, send it back.

The exception

Skip waiting if the trip is close. A bag bought the week before a trip leaves no time to return or replace it. Also skip sets you do not need. A set of three where you only use one is not a saving. For more timing on the summer season, see patio furniture and grills.

A quick test when it arrives

Pack it as full as you plan to on the trip and carry it up a flight of stairs. Roll it on a rough floor. Open and close every zip. Check that the handle locks at each height. If anything feels weak, send it back while the window is open. A bag that fails on the trip costs far more than a sale saves. Also weigh it empty, since heavy bags leave less room before the airline weight limit. Airline rules change, so read the airline's page before a trip.