What's the cheapest way to ship an empty suitcase from Sweden?

November 14, 2018 2:09 PM

I bought a brand new suitcase for 600 bucks. Aluminum. Because I had important stuff in it that I didn't want crushed. On the inaugural flight to Sweden the airline lost it for a week. Good news? My stuff is fine. Bad? They crunched the wheel and handle. So I need to send it back from Sweden to Davis CA for repair. (nope, nowhere closer) So if I don't care how long it takes, what's the cheapest way to do it?
posted by rileyray3000 to Travel & Transportation (8 answers total)

Do you know anyone traveling from Sweden to CA, or to the US in general, in the near future?
posted by Iris Gambol at 2:17 PM on November 14, 2018

Is it safe to assume you asked the airline to do this for you/help you with it and they declined?
posted by Exceptional_Hubris at 2:31 PM on November 14, 2018 [3 favorites]

If the dimensions add up to 200cm (78.75") or less I think you could send it parcel post.
posted by nathan_teske at 2:42 PM on November 14, 2018

Why isn't the airline shipping this back to the U.S. for you? If you flew round trip from the U.S. to Sweden, it was their responsibility to get whatever luggage you took with you there and back as well. They should also pay for the repairs.
posted by orange swan at 3:13 PM on November 14, 2018 [1 favorite]

Have a new handle and wheel shipped to you and hire a local to mount them.
posted by jamjam at 3:46 PM on November 14, 2018 [1 favorite]

Have a new handle and wheel shipped to you and hire a local to mount them.

Seriously, there are plenty of machinists in Sweden - if this thing is actually repairable there's no reason you can't have it repaired there. Otherwise your $600 suitcase is going to end up being a >$1000 suitcase.
posted by aspersioncast at 5:49 PM on November 14, 2018

If you don't care how long it takes and you are in Sweden, the cheapest thing is probably to give me the suitcase and I will take it with me when I go back to the Bay Area in March (or earlier) and send it to Davis for you, then bring it back on my return flight. But you will have to pony up the cash for checking it in on the flight because normally I just take a carry on. Message me if this works for you.
posted by Bella Donna at 4:45 AM on November 15, 2018 [1 favorite]

Am I missing something here? The airline, in addition to losing your luggage for a week, severely damaged your suitcase?

If your checked-in luggage is lost, damaged or delayed, the airline is liable and you're entitled to compensation up to an amount of approximately EUR 1 300. However if the damage was caused by an inherent defect in the baggage itself, you're not entitled to any compensation.

https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/travel/passenger-rights/air/index_en.htm

The airline buys you a new suitcase.
posted by standardasparagus at 6:01 AM on November 15, 2018 [5 favorites]