Can I repair the zipper on my rolling suitcase?

October 17, 2021 7:50 PM

My rolling luggage's-medium sized luggage- zipper has busted.

Is it exorbitant to get it fixed, even if I could find a seamstress that would do it? Who does this?How exorbitant are they?
We (my campus) have a rolling dumpster, so now would be the time. But I do not like the idea of
throwing that much in the landfill, nor buying something new if I don't have to.

posted by intrepid_simpleton to Travel & Transportation (5 answers total)

There should be at least one repair shop that does repairs for luggage, where luggage places have their warranty repair stuff sent to locally rather than across the country. I know there's one in San Francisco. Worth asking, at least.
posted by kschang at 8:05 PM on October 17, 2021

How is the zipper broken? If the zipper teeth are messed up, missing or abraded, then the zipper is toast and has to be replaced, which will cost a fortune and won't be worth it. If the zipper pull that integrates the teeth is busted, a new one can be threaded on at the end of the zipper and the end resewn (a repair shop can do this). Alternatively, there are fancy clamp-on zipper pull replacements which close around the zipper. If it's just the pull tab on the zipper pull that broke (the part you grab), they make 2-part replacements for that too. Zipper sizes are measured across the width of the square opening of the zipper pull in mm's. Suitcases probably use a large zipper, maybe size 9 or 10? If nothing is broken, but the zipper pull is not integrating the teeth, very very gently squeeze the pull around the edges with pliers so it's a little tighter, and it will start working again.
posted by jabah at 8:32 PM on October 17, 2021 [2 favorites]

I would bring it to a shoe repair guy (cobbler) and ask them how much or if it is feasible and worth it.
posted by AugustWest at 9:56 PM on October 17, 2021 [2 favorites]

Some brands have a lifetime warranty (example) and will do repairs of the sort you need. You might look online to see if yours offers this, and where you can bring your bag for the needed work.
posted by They sucked his brains out! at 12:15 AM on October 18, 2021

I think it's pretty common for dry cleaners to have partnerships with shoe and luggage repair places.
posted by Awfki at 4:41 AM on October 18, 2021