Unclaimed Luggage Auctions: Airports' Surprising Source Of Income

Yes, unclaimed luggage is really sold by airports. After about 60 days in storage, airlines donate unclaimed bags to charity or sell them to salvage stores. In the US, there is a store in Scottsboro, Alabama, called the Unclaimed Baggage Center, which is the only store in the country that sells items left behind by travellers. The store has purchasing agreements with all domestic airlines and other travel companies. It also sells unclaimed cargo that has been lost or damaged during shipment. The store receives thousands of unclaimed items every week, which are sorted, cleaned, cleared, prepped, priced and stocked.

Unclaimed luggage is sold at the Unclaimed Baggage store in Alabama

Unclaimed luggage is sold at the Unclaimed Baggage store in Scottsboro, Alabama, which is the nation's only retailer of lost luggage. The store receives thousands of new items every day, ranging from clothing to electronics and books, with an ever-changing stock that makes it one of Alabama's major tourist destinations.

The Unclaimed Baggage Center was founded by Doyle and Sue Owens in 1970 and has been in business for over 50 years. The store buys unclaimed luggage from airlines, with the contents unseen, and sells them at bargain prices, typically 50-80% below retail value. Clothing makes up about 60% of the items that pass through the store annually, with the rest consisting of cameras, electronics, sporting goods, jewellery, glasses, books, and luggage.

The store covers a city block and has become a popular tourist attraction, drawing over a million visitors annually. It offers a unique shopping experience, with a main level dedicated to clothing, including designer goods, shoes, bags, and everyday attire. The second level features electronics, men's attire, and outdoor gear. There is also a bargain section located across from the main building, offering similar goods at lower prices.

The Unclaimed Baggage store is not just a shopping destination but also a treasure hunt, with unique finds such as Egyptian artefacts, valuable jewellery, and even a space shuttle camera. The store also has a small museum showcasing some of the more unusual items found over the years, including a suit of armour, a set of bagpipes, and a Gucci bag filled with Egyptian historical artefacts.

The store's website also allows customers from all over the world to shop for unclaimed baggage items online, providing an international reach beyond its physical location in Alabama.

Airlines have 90 days to locate owners before selling or donating luggage

Airlines give themselves between five and 14 days to locate lost luggage. Most passengers receive their bags within a few days, but it can take airlines up to 90 days to find missing luggage. During this time, they make every attempt to reunite the baggage with its rightful owner.

If a bag is deemed permanently lost, the airline compensates the passenger. If the bag is found after this point, it is usually sent to the Unclaimed Baggage store in Scottsboro, Alabama, to be sold.

Unclaimed Baggage is the only store in the U.S. that sells items travellers have left behind. The store has a purchase agreement with all domestic airlines, as well as other travel and transportation companies, such as train and bus carriers. It buys luggage from airlines with the contents unseen and sells them at a discount.

According to its website, Unclaimed Baggage claims 0.03% of checked luggage. The company has been in operation since the 1970s and has become one of Alabama's top tourist destinations, attracting a million visitors a year.

Airlines are legally obligated to compensate passengers for lost luggage. For domestic travel, passengers can claim up to $3,800. For international travel, the Montreal Convention allows claims of up to $1,780.

Airlines don't profit from selling unclaimed luggage

While unclaimed luggage is indeed sold, airlines don't profit from these sales. Airlines invest significant time, manpower, and resources in searching for the rightful owner and storing abandoned baggage. This process is costly and time-consuming, and by the time the luggage is sold, airlines have already incurred substantial expenses.

After a bag has been unclaimed at the terminal for about five days, it is shipped to a central warehouse, where it remains for about 60 days before being declared officially lost. During this period, airlines actively attempt to trace the owner, even using clues from inside the bag when outer tags are missing. They also have systems in place to help passengers track their lost luggage, and a whopping 97% of unclaimed luggage is reunited with its owner.

Once the mandatory 90-day period is up, airlines are permitted to pass the items to a charity or reselling business. However, the amount they receive from these sales is minimal compared to the costs incurred in storing and attempting to reunite the luggage with its owner. Additionally, passengers with mishandled luggage can file claim reports and receive compensation of up to $3,800 from the airline responsible. As a result, airlines often start at a loss when it comes to unclaimed luggage.

The Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Alabama, is the only store in the U.S. that sells items travelers have left behind. They purchase luggage from airlines without knowing the contents and then sort, clean, price, and stock the items for sale. While this store offers a fascinating insight into the items people pack and the treasures that can be found in unclaimed luggage, it is the airlines that bear the initial cost.

The Unclaimed Baggage store sorts, cleans, clears, preps, prices and stocks items

The Unclaimed Baggage store in Scottsboro, Alabama, is the nation's only lost luggage store. The store sorts, cleans, clears, preps, prices, and stocks items from unclaimed baggage.

Unclaimed baggage arrives at the store's processing facility by tractor-trailer load. The team first unpacks the bags and sorts the items into three categories: Resell, Repurpose, and Recycle. Clothing is sent to the largest dry cleaner in Alabama, and all electronic equipment is tested and cleared of personal data.

Fine jewelry is cleaned and appraised, and luxury items are authenticated. The store's experienced retail professionals then assess and price the items for selling, with most items sold at 50-80% below retail value. The store also has a small museum for stranger finds, such as an Egyptian burial mask, a space shuttle camera, and a shrunken head.

The Unclaimed Baggage store receives thousands of new items each week, with approximately 7,000 unique, heavily discounted items stocked in the retail store daily and thousands more available online. The store offers a wide range of products, from clothing and electronics to sporting goods, jewelry, books, and luggage.

The store also has a strong focus on sustainability and reducing waste. Items that cannot be sold are donated to those in need, and any leftover items are reclaimed for good through partnerships with local, national, and global charity organizations.

Unclaimed Baggage has purchasing agreements with all domestic airlines

Unclaimed Baggage is a legitimate company with purchasing agreements with all American domestic airlines and other transportation companies. The company was founded by Doyle Owens, who started the business by selling unclaimed Greyhound bus luggage in 1970. With five decades of experience, Unclaimed Baggage has established itself as a trusted and reputable name in the industry.

Unclaimed Baggage buys unclaimed luggage from airlines without knowing the contents of the bags. The company then processes the items, sorting them into three categories: Resell, Repurpose, and Recycle. Clothing, which makes up about 60% of the items, is sent for laundering, while electronic equipment is tested and cleared of personal data. Fine jewellery is cleaned and appraised, and luxury items are authenticated. The items are then sold at heavily discounted prices, up to 80% below retail value.

Unclaimed Baggage also has a strong commitment to charity and environmental sustainability. They donate one item for every item sold, partnering with dozens of local, national, and global charity organisations. Items that cannot be sold or donated are responsibly recycled, with all personal information shredded to protect privacy.

The company's retail store in Scottsboro, Alabama, has become a popular tourist attraction, offering a unique shopping experience with a wide range of discounted products. The store covers 50,000 square feet and includes ten departments, with an additional three-story "Men's & More" building next door. Customers can also shop online, with items shipped within 3-8 business days and free shipping for orders over $75.

Frequently asked questions