Bag service lets travellers wave goodbye to stress
FOR most of us, our luggage going missing for five days of a week-long holiday would be a major source of irritation, but for Jordan Makin it was the inspiration for a business.
He realised that not only was it frustrating when airlines failed to transport luggage correctly – his missing suitcase never left the airport – but it was also annoying having to lug bags to the airport, on to the hotel and back, and in the case of some airlines, even be charged extra for having checked in luggage at all. So Luggage Mule was born. It collects baggage from the home or place of work a few days before departure and delivers it to the destination.
The firm, which launched its website luggagemule.co.uk last summer, handles about 180 items each week via logistics partner UPS, including suitcases, skis, golfing equipment and surfboards.
‘Our main business is to France and Spain as it’s easy to compete on price and time, but we can ship as far afield as the US and Australia,’ said Makin, who added that it costs about £100 return to take a 30kg bag on a Ryanair flight but £75 return (or £50 one way) with Luggage Mule.
The company also works with tour groups and does one-way relocations, and just last week launched in the cruise ship market.
‘It means that you can just turn up at the airport with your hand luggage and know that your bags are waiting for you at your hotel,’ said Makin. ‘That means you don’t have to get expensive cabs to the airport, wait around in the baggage hall and or bother lugging suitcases around when you’re trying to look after your family.’
The company is owned by Makin, three co-founders, who like him have worked in the travel industry, and Queens Park Rangers defender Nedum Onuoha, a schoolfriend who recently invested a six-figure sum in exchange for a 15 per cent share.