Antler suitcase breaks apart after short flight

On 21 June 2008 I bought an Antler suitcase (Quadrant 75cm Spinner ABS) from Luggage Warehouse in Long St, CT, for R2,655, and two smaller travel items.

On 8 July, after a short flight from Madrid, I found the suitcase broken after arrival at Rome FCO airport (Alitalia airline). I was recovering from emergency surgery I had a wk before my departure to Europe, so I didn't immediately notice the damage, & a driver collected my bag from the carousel, & took our grp to a country villa where we were having our international mtg. I noticed the damage later, & was confident that Luggage Warehouse would resolve this with me, since the bag remains under a multi-yr guarantee. I sent them photo’s of the broken bag that I had to jettison in rural Italy. Luggage Warehouse refers me to Alitalia, to claim 'airline damage'.

I would like to be reimbursed the full amount for the suitcase (or to have the credit card charge reversed) in the amount of R 2,655 (discounted from R 2,950).

It is clear to me that the Antler suitcase could not withstand the rigours of even a short flight.

Antler and Luggage Warehouse should do the right thing: reimburse me asap.