Newsstand - One traveler's misfortune is another's deal

http://www.ajc.com/business/content/business/1205/04bizunclaimed.html
12/04/05
One traveler's misfortune is another's deal
By KIRSTEN TAGAMI, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Wonder what happened to those skis you lost at the airport? They may have wound up on sale here.

Basically, a bag gets lost and the airline can't findthe owner, so they sell it to this company in Scottsboro, Alabama, which then sorts through it, selling some and donating or discarding the rest.

... Since it opened in 1970, Unclaimed Baggage Center has been a mecca for bargain hunters willing to venture off the beaten path. ... it ranks as one of Alabama's top tourist destinations. With air travel rebounding from the post-9/11 slump, the family-owned business is booming. ...

Atlanta-based Delta Air Lines holds lost luggage at the airport for five days while trying to contact the owner, said spokesman Anthony Black. If there's no identification on the outside, the airline will go through the contents to see if it can find some clues as to who owns it. If that is fruitless, the airline's baggage service center will hold it for about three months while continuing to look for the owner, he said.Thence to www.unclaimedbaggage.com .

Very similar story in the Times today - must be a slow news day :)

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/newspaper/0,,170-1966099,00.html

Are there other companies that airlines sell unclaimed luggage to?

Are there other companies that airlines sell unclaimed luggage to?
there was more than one store down there(Scottsboro) that handled misplaced luggage and in fact, more than one town in the area that handled it(Huntsville I think); however I don't know if it was handled by the same company. U name it=Car door, fire suit, bins full of walkmans,etc. they had it.

there was more than one store down there(Scottsboro) that handled misplaced luggage and in fact, more than one town in the area that handled it(Huntsville I think); however I don't know if it was handled by the same company. U name it=Car door, fire suit, bins full of walkmans,etc. they had it.

I think the store you are talking about was in Decatur, Al. I'm not sure why it went out of business, the place was always busy. I used to go there quite often looking for deals. I found it very disturbing to see someone's used/lost underwear hanging on a rack for sale. Becareful what you pack people... your leopard print speedo/thong could be hanging on that rack!

I've been to the Scottsboro store once. It seemed a little pricey for purchasing USED stuff. Most of the electronics were only 25% to 30% off retail prices. Not a bargain for something that's been run through the airline guantlet.

I remember fondly seeing this on Oprah with my parents when I was a kid and my dad saying "oh, so that's where all my christmas gifts wound up" after a bag full of his xmas gifts were lost from EWR-SFO one year i the early 90s.

[QUOTE=Pyg]I found it very disturbing to see someone's used/lost underwear hanging on a rack for sale.QUOTE]

Geeesh, I just can't imagine anyone wanting to buy underwear that was worn by someone else. Yikes, pretty wierd. Electronic items I can understand, even some used CD's might be worthwhile, but not for clothing, and especially underwear. They should just get rid of it.

[QUOTE=Pyg]I found it very disturbing to see someone's used/lost underwear hanging on a rack for sale.QUOTE]

Geeesh, I just can't imagine anyone wanting to buy underwear that was worn by someone else. Yikes, pretty wierd. Electronic items I can understand, even some used CD's might be worthwhile, but not for clothing, and especially underwear. They should just get rid of it.


I didn't mention the half used deoderant cans, the used razors, shaving cream and yes... yes... toothpaste.

I'm not saying that people were actually BUYING this stuff... but it was on the shelf for purchase.