Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

My first impression was very favorable: lots of pockets to store stuff, good quality zippers, etc. Rating = 5 Then the countdown began - the more I used it, the more problems I found, for example: - Some of the outside zippers would work themselves open. - A metal SAMSONITE logo sign is attached to the soft outside of the case. With stuff inside, the sides round out and the ends of the inflexible sign stick out and catch on things. - The last straw: one end of the handle strap came off. Now a good quality case often has handle straps that go all the way around underneath, securely supporting the weight of the case. Does this one? Not quite. I found that they made this strap as short as possible, sewing the end into a seam near the top. The load from the handle actually bears on a strip of very thin lining material inside. UNBELIEVABLE. It was designed to fail. I've had it about a year. The last bag I had cost a third of this one and lasted ten times longer. I'm actually going to cut the handle straps from that bag (they do go all the way to the bottom) and try to rig them up to this one. I guess I thought paying a little extra and getting a brand name would guarantee a quality item. My final rating = 1 due to failure that rendered it unusable caused by careless design. UPDATE - I did pop rivet on the handle from an old bag and used it for two and one half more years. Now, one of the zippers has failed; the fabric gave way that held the zipper coil in alignment and it is utterly useless (and beyond repair). I've just carried ordinary sorts of stuff in the thing: small laptop, notebook, some pads of paper, etc. It's hard to imagine all of the top ratings it has. Anyway, I'll probably go back to kay mart or get one of the house brand bags from this site; I've had pretty good luck with their camera bags. Samsonite goes on my blacklist.