eBags.com

Full review
My spouse will tell anyone that I am a backpack hound; I have packs of all sizes, and for every occasion. I have a two laptop bags, one for the shoulder, one for the back; a couple of daypacks for day trips or for short hiking runs; a three day pack, for longer trips and hikes, and a week-pack from the days when I used to wonder the roads of Europe in aimless of adventure. I used to purchase all of my bags at a brick and mortar establishments, but not any more, not since I discovered eBags.com.

The Site

The eBags.com website is logically laid out with the login link at the top right hand side of the site. I highly encourage new users to the site to create a new account. With an eBags.com account you can track recent purchases, return items, cancel or change an order, and view past orders.

Item categories are listed in dark gray tabs across the top of the site for easy selection. Under the category listings, one can also search eBags.comfor either brand names, or the type of bag desired. The categories are listed again along the right hand side of the site with one line descriptors under each hyperlink. And under this listing is a pull-down menu where you can search by brand.

Along the left hand side of the site, different bags are featured complete with large high resolution pictures and pricing details. Along the bottom right is a handy “Laptop Bag Finder” link that allows you to enter the dimensions of your laptop in order to find the right bag for your portable computer. Specials are also listed here; for instance right now on the site, 15% off is being offered for all Samsonite luggage (sets as well as single pieces).

Buying an item is simple; anyone familiar with on-line shopping will be well acquainted with the shopping cart concept. Clicking on the red “Add to Cart” radio button will add the item to your cart.

Need to return a purchase? EBags.com offers what it coins as a “Hassle-Free Return Policy,” under which the site will “unconditionally guarantee all unused or defective merchandise for 30 days from the receipt of shipment. If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase you may return any unused or defective merchandise FREE, for a prompt refund; the only exception is personalized or custom made items.”

Unused items can be returned up to 30 days after receipt of shipment; eBags.com will even pay all UPS return shipping cost. Only the best on-line sites provide this service; Amazon.com comes immediately to mind. Your credit card will be credited for the price of the bag and any taxes, but not shipping charges, which is not ideal, but acceptable, and the credit for your return will appear on your card after eBags.com has received and processed your returned item.

EBags.com also offers a 110% price guarantee, a rarity only the best sites on the web seem to offer. See below for an explanation of how it works.

From the Site: Should you find a lower priced item elsewhere, eBags will gladly refund you 110% of the difference between the lower price and our price up to a full 10 days after your purchase. Restrictions: The item must be the same exact color and style number that is on eBags.com and we will not price match from any auction sites. The item must be in stock on competitor’s site. Price differences will be calculated on the final price of your purchase, excluding shipping and tax. We'll even refund the difference if we lower the price at eBags!

Selection

Ebags.com is one of the best sources for not just backpacks, but bags for any occasion and/or use. And the selection is vast and growing. Besides bags, eBags.com also sells PDA sleeves, CD wallets & carriers, neck roll pillows, duffle bags, overnight travel kits, umbrellas, camcorder bags, coolers, camera cases, and a nice selection of wallet (basic and travel) for man and women. The category list includes:

• Luggage
• Handbags
• Travel Accessories
• Urban Gear (bags that are funky and feminine)
• Business & Computer Cases
• Kids & Parents
• Business Accessories
• Wallets
• Sports & Duffels
• Backpacks

And it seems as if every manufacture in the world is represented at the site, including, but not limited to:

• American Tourister
• Bosca
• Buxton
• Bugle Bags
• Callaway Golf
• Chrome
• Eagle Creek
• EastPak
• Gravis
• International Traveller
• Izzo
• JanSport (my favorite)
• Nike
• PDA Skins
• Samsonite
• Skyway
• Timerland
• Zoon

Payment Options

As it the case with all major on-line merchants eBags.com accepts American Express MasterCard, Visa, Discover Card, and Diners Club (does anyone still carry these?). The site also accepts eBags.com gift certificates. Orders can also be called—(800) 820-6126, or faxed in (see the site “Help” for details). All transactions are guaranteed to be 100% secure. EBags.com also offers a “Bill Me Later” option if you choose not to pay by credit card, but receive a billing statement in the mail instead. However, there is catch, only those with the best credit need apply; e.g. “Bill Me Later® is offered through CIT Bank and is only available to U.S. Customers who are at least 18 years of age. Subject to credit approval. Your credit is reviewed to establish an account, but is not reviewed for each transaction.”

Ebags.com does not charge taxes for most; however individuals living in the following states will have to pay applicable sales tax: Colorado, Texas, Virginia.

Shipping & Handling

For U.S. deliveries eBags.com uses only UPS which offers Both Standard Ground Service or Premium 2nd Day Air Service. For Canadian customers, eBags.com has partnered with Borderfree for deliveries. UPS standard shipping rates start at $3.99 for orders up to $29.99, up to as high as $14.99 for orders totaling $150.00 and up. UPS 2nd Day Air rates are the same as standard, however an additional $10.00 per additional item is tacked on to the price; ouch!

Occasionally however, eBags.com will offer FREE shipping for orders over $75.00; perhaps one day they will jump on the Amazon.com shipping bandwagon, and offer free shipping on any order over, say $35.00.

Items can of course be tracked via your account.

Conclusion

I have found backpacks cheaper, but I have yet to find a site to rival eBags.com for selection, easy of ordering, and return policy. This, coupled with the 110% Price Guarantee, makes eBags.com the place to purchase those must have backpacks, luggage, wallets, handbags, etc. The only drawback to the site I see is the need to pay for shipping; I’ll admit Amazon.com has spoiled me, but eBags.com will always be my first stop when searching for that next great bag.