Week 1, 2016
Joensuu, Finland
Often there is a tension between buying something cheap — which often is low quality — versus by something with quality, which often is more expensive. This post delivers an example that quality in a long run is cheaper.
I am a traveler addict. Thus, sometimes my love ones offer me presents to support me in my travels. An example, some years ago, my sister and brother in law gave me as a present a Samsonite suitcase. (THANK YOU!)
I am very pleased with Samsonite, in particular with my suitcase, because it been loyal to me. We have been together (my suitcase and I) literally in 4 continents, and it has kept with me fully functional.
My loyal suitcase
For this Christmas I flew from Joensuu to Munich, with Finnair, which is one of my favorite airlines. In this journey my lovely suitcase was damaged, and I reported the damage as soon as I saw the problem at the airport. The personal at the airport was friendly and they indicated me what to do. Within the instructions was to contact the company Dolfi. Perhaps because we were in Christmas holidays, but after being on the phone for 1hr and 30 min and not be able to talk with anyone I filled all the online form of their website and wait…. wait…. some days later I got an email that my stroller will be refund!… I kindly replied that I was reporting a damaged suitcase not a stroller, then it is when I discovered they were understaffed.
As my trip was reaching its end, I decided to deal with this in Finland. I trust Finnair and I had the feeling that it should be ok. Then, I travel back to Joensuu with my loyal and wounded Samsung suitcase.
On Monday 2.1. at the evening, I landed in Joensuu and the first thing I did at the airport was to tell my story to the indicated person. Then I got the inciation to go to: “Nahkavalmiestemyynti”
On Tuesday 3.1. I went to Nahkavalmiestemyynti and they offered such a good service. The personnel reviewed the suitcase and the documents. We saw how much could cost a new Samsonite, equivalent to mine in the store. Then we followed the rules of the airline as depending of the age of the suitcase you get certain compensation. My case was as follow: a brand new Samsonite as mine would cost 159€, but I was allow only to get 50% of it that is 79.50€.
My options, as far as I understood, were:
- Get the money
- Buy something with the money given by Finnair
- Buy something more expensive and complement the difference.
You will have to imagine which option I took, but now let me introduce you my new travel’s partner: Cavalet.
New travel partner
Thank you Finnair and Samsonite to support me on my journeys! You have expanded the wonderful present of my sister and brother in law with your quality of service!