Deal of the Week
SmartMoney.com
March 22, 2001

WILL YOUR BATTERED bags not survive your next trip to paradise, or even Cleveland? No need to fret. If you're willing to do your luggage shopping online (a slightly odd but reasonable idea, we think), then we've found a couple of sites offering excellent deals.

Both eBags and World Traveler offer a wide selection of suitcases, carry-ons and garment bags at competitive prices. And better yet, both are having clearance sales. That makes this an ideal time to replace those bags that have been handled with extra special care over the years by airport baggage handlers. Some of these bags might be recently discontinued models, but we assume this will only be a problem for the most snooty of luggage snobs.

At eBags, we recently spotted an Atlantic Upright Suiter (these are usually rolling carry-on bags with a garment-bag component) for $95.99 (list price $320.00) and an American Tourister Carry-On Upright for $69.99 (originally $160). Both are highly rated by Consumer Reports. There was also a Samsonite Ultravalet Garment Bag for $149.99 (list price $335.00). And we found some of the trendiest backpacks on sale: The Robyn Eastpak backpack is on sale for $29.99 (originally $49.99) and the handy Disc-Guise backpack (which includes a padded CD player pocket), also from Eastpak, going for $27.99 (originally $47.00).

Standard UPS shipping at eBags ranges from $4.99 to $25.99, depending on the cost of the total order. There's also a 30-day return policy on all items. For more deals, visit the eBags clearance sale.

By June Kim