I Was Today Years Old When I Learned What Airlines Do With LOST Luggage?

So many of us fly to Orlando when we visit Disney World.

Speaking of unclaimed luggage

Of course, we have to worry about things that can interfere with our trip. From flight delays to cancellations, anything is possible. But sometimes, the airlines lose luggage, and although most of us would go to great lengths to get our luggage back, sometimes the luggage goes unclaimed. So what happens then?

Well, if someone loses their luggage and it goes unclaimed, you might be surprised what happens to it. According to NPR, unclaimed luggage goes to a store in Scottsboro, Alabama called Unclaimed Baggage. Yep, when folks lose their luggage and don’t reclaim it, those bags are opened, and their contents are sold in a shop (after they’re properly vetted and cleaned, of course).

So yes, you can go into that store and buy other people’s stuff, usually at really low prices. Here’s the thing — this is the ONLY place in the U.S. you can do that, too.

©Unclaimed Baggage

The store got its start in 1970 when entrepreneur Doyle Owens borrowed a pick-up truck and $300 and bought his first load of unclaimed baggage from Trailways Bus Line. It was such a success that the Unclaimed Baggage Center was born. Eventually, the company began partnering with airlines.

©Unclaimed Baggage

In 2020, though, the store did something really amazing: they opened an online shop. So, YES, you can shop other people’s lost luggage ONLINE right now at Unclaimed Baggage.com. We’re going to warn you, though: yes, there are Disney items available. Once you go down that rabbit hole, well, you’ll see.

©Unclaimed Baggage

The most popular part of the store, though, might be the electronics department. You can find everything from mobile phones to laptops to headphones and more! Don’t worry, though; all electronics are wiped clean of any personal data and checked to make sure they’re functional. We spotted Apple AirPods Pro at a HUGE discount.

©Unclaimed Baggage

So now you know what happens when an airline loses someone’s luggage and it goes unclaimed. If your luggage happens to get lost, be sure to contact the airline IMMEDIATELY to let them know. If your luggage is never found, you will be compensated for the contents. The good news is that most lost luggage does make it home…eventually. But when it doesn’t, now we know where it might end up.

Stay tuned to DFB for more.

NEWS: Southwest Airlines Is Making It EASIER To Keep Track of Your Luggage

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