It's In The Bag: Everything for Travel, Except The Tickets

Since opening in 1990, has gone through a few transformations, not just in its location, but in its mission. And owner Chuck Weisbart wouldn’t have it any other way. 

“In 1990, there was no one who could repair a suitcase in the desert, with 2 million visitors. There were few luggage stores, and they were on El Paseo,” Weisbart told Patch. “We really went after the family and middle market business.” 

Weisbart’s knowledge paid off. The one-time lead of product development for Samsonite Worldwide has turned his store in the Desert Crossing Center into a one-stop center for travel, with everything but buying your tickets; including classes and seminars. 

“We’re becoming a stop for travel information, since 70 percent of the travel is bought online, and people just hit ‘buy,’ without reading the fine print. We teach a class on knowing what you’re getting into. It’s travel enhancement information. We do the ‘what ifs’ of travel.”  

The classes cover topics ranging from how not to overpack, to what happens if your travel company goes out of business while you’re abroad. Things not often thought about, but can and do happen. 

The store is also featuring clothing for a trip, no matter what the destination, according to Weisbart. 

“The problem is the public doesn’t go to the same place over and over. All of the shops that sell travel stuff focus on Europe," he explained. "But now a big segment of travel is to third-world countries, where the clothing you need is so different. Our focus is where ever you’re going, we’ll outfit you from underwear on up.”   

That doesn’t mean a proper travel wardrobe means having to pay for extra bags. Weisbart says that with the right choices on clothing, you can travel for over two weeks without having to bring your closet with you. 

“We have people that use to take 2 suitcases on a trip,” he explained. “Now they go with just a carry on.” 

Weisbart says that with the travel industry picking up again, expansion of his store will be coming. He estimates moving to a bigger store on Highway 111 sometime within the next two years.   

“If you’re going anywhere or know someone going anywhere … be it San Francisco or Machu Picchu … you go here first, we make sure you will be set for a safe trip.” 

So what would Weisbart suggest as holiday gifts for the traveler? MyTag and TudeTag, both $10 and both developed and distributed by It’s In The Bag. The tags are made of sturdy nylon and attach easily to the handles of any bag for quick identification.  

“The number one problem is that most all suitcases are black, because it hides dirt and damages,” Weisbart explained. “The MyTag and TudeTag differentiate your black suitcase from everyone else’s black suitcase. The tags are the strongest tags on the market. We call it ‘the best eight inches you can travel with.’” 

Another popular gift for travelers is RFID (Radio Frequency ID) protection. 

With inexpensive RFID scanners available to anyone, Weisbart says that someone with a scanner can read your credit card or cellular phone information from as much as 20 yards away, and be using that info within minutes without you even knowing it.  

RFID blockers hold those valuable items and keep them secure from unwanted scanning, with prices beginning at $3.50.