Woman goes shopping. Then she shows the one test you should do before buying luggage at T.J. Maxx, Marshalls: ‘The #1 complaint that I get…’

A woman has a luggage hack that may change how people shop for baggage at T.J. Maxx or Marshalls. The trick is to test out the wheels and viewers agree it makes absolute sense. 

The content creator shared the viral TikTok with 54,600 views. Mandy (@mandythecruiseplanner) is known for her cruise and travel tips. She showed off her hack with the help of a single rug.

What’s the luggage hack?

Mandy said one of the biggest complaints she hears from viewers is how luggage performs when it has to roll across carpet. That can be especially frustrating at airports and cruise ships.

Her solution was surprisingly simple. She placed a rug on the floor and used it to recreate the type of surface travelers may encounter during their trips.

The idea was to see how easily each suitcase could move before purchasing it. 

Did well-known brands pass the wheel test?

Not necessarily.

Mandy’s test produced different results across several bags. Even recognized brands did not pass the evaluation.

A Betsey Johnson and a Samsonite bag did the best on the test. However, she found that bags from the same brand performed differently.

The results suggested that travelers may need to test individual bags, and not assume all from one brand perform the same way.

The Mary Sue previously covered a TikTok creator comparing Nordstrom Rack luggage with BÉIS, showing how much attention travelers now pay to the performance and value of different suitcases.

What do experts say about testing luggage wheels?

Mandy’s rug test may seem simple, but professionals suggest that how a suitcase moves across different surfaces is an important part of evaluating it. 

Yahoo Shopping’s 2026 luggage guide says its experts tested bags for maneuverability and performance across different types of flooring. One of its top-rated carry-ons was specifically praised for being easy to move on various flooring.

That makes Mandy’s hack a useful DIY luggage shopping test. It can evaluate performance and eliminate guesswork.

@mandythecruiseplanner Try this hack before buying luggage from a Marshall’s or TJ Max. #cruise #cruisetok #travel #luggage ♬ original sound – mandythecruiseplanner

What did viewers say about the hack?

Some users joked that they “chose style over function.” 

Many applauded the “genius” idea and thanked her for sharing the hack.

@Roni stated, ”That’s a really great tip! I’ve never even thought of that before.”

Others gave their own tips.

“You can also buy wheel covers on Amazon that helps preserve the wheels but also with all types of flooring,” one viewer suggested.

TikTok viewers agreed that Mandy’s simple test could be worth trying before making a purchase. This hack can make traveling easier.

The Mary Sue reached out for comment to TJ Maxx and Marshalls via email and Mandy via TikTok direct message.

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