The Unclaimed Baggage Store is likely just what you have guessed. A store with unclaimed baggage from all the airlines in the United States. As an avid traveler, when I first heard about the place over five years ago, I was highly intrigued. So much so, that I have always wanted to visit.
I planned on visiting about four years ago while I was roadtripping through the southeast United States. After VANgo ended up with an electrical problem in Florida, my itinerary and life changed dramatically, and I didn’t make it to Scottsboro, Alabama, the location of the Unclaimed Baggage Store. Instead, I returned to Texas and promptly bought a horse!
Now, four years later, I was again in Ocala, Florida, this time showing my horse. And upon my return to Texas, I was bound and determined to visit the Unclaimed Baggage Store. I drove out of my way to do so, which is particularly crazy for me since I truly dislike shopping. But in the end, satisfying my curiosity was worth it!
Table of Contents
Scottsboro
As mentioned, The Unclaimed Baggage Store is located in Scottsboro, located in northeastern Alabama. Naturally, I googled Scottsboro to what else was around. Upon googling, the town is best known for the Scottsboro Boys case, a major civil rights controversy in the 1930’s. Nine black boys were falsely accused of raping two white women on the train. There is signage around it historic town square that explains the history. The quaint town square features the historic Payne’s Sandwich Shop and Soda Fountain, café’s and a variety of shops.
Unclaimed Baggage Store
Just to its west, is the large Unclaimed Baggage Store that is set up like a department store. Depending on the airlines’ policies, after 90 to 120 days of trying to connect lost items to their rightful owners, their unclaimed baggage is up for grabs.
This is when the Unclaimed Baggage Store sends semi’s to the airline warehouses to collect the bulk items, not knowing what is inside. But of course, you guessed it, there are a lot of charging cords, sunglasses, headphones, laptops, jewelry, clothes, luggage, and more.
Employees sort the items and put them out on display is department store form. There is a section for electronics, books, eyewear, formal wear (including wedding dresses), mens wear, sporting goods, and the list goes on. On average for every item sold, they also donate one.
My Visit to the Unclaimed Baggage Store
I was mostly interested in the electronics and camera gear. Upon a quick perusal of their website, where the items are also listed for sale, the camera gear and laptop section didn’t look to promising to meet my needs, but you never know what the next shipment could bring.
With low, though hopeful expectations, I arrived at the store near opening time on a weekday to begin my thrift store shopping. I found a some designer frames for eye glasses for only a few dollars, so when I get new lenses I’ll have some cute frames that didn’t break the bank.
Electronics
Next I headed up stairs to the electronics department that featured an entire wall of headphones, a case of ipads and laptops, containers of SD cards and cords, cell phones, and more. I really like my Microsoft Surface, and was hoping for a newer version. But most people use Dell, Acer, Apple or IBM, so my choice was limited to one.
I was too chicken to get an ipad because I didn’t know which was the latest version, and if I had to worry about things being locked, though the Unclaimed Baggage Store did a good job of labeling phones with the carriers or unlocked versions. I also wasn’t sure if the deals were very good. But I picked up a few charging cords for $2 and some very good SD cards for 30% off from the going price.
Luggage and Sporting Goods
I’ve been needing new luggage, as mine is over 30 years old, very heavy and has a broken handle. I grabbed a green rollerboard so I could distinguish it from the many black ones for only $50. So far so good as I just used it for a quick trip to NYC.
Had I known more about fishing, I would have picked up a nice rod, but I only know enough to go with a guide unless I’m flyfishing in Colorado. There was some nice outdoor gear, but I didn’t need much. I’ve got my Sprinter and hiking supplies pretty tuned up.
Jewelry
The jewelry section was spectacular! I really felt sorry for the losers of diamond rings, Tiffany bracelets, and more. I know I am devasted everytime I lose a piece of jewelry, which isn’t often, but I still know where I lost all three pieces.
In talking with the lady working the jewelry counter, I was just in dismay that people would leave such nice items in their baggage and not try to claim them. But she said, “A lot of people have their items insured for a higher value, and they just make a claim instead!”
I don’t know, it would still bother me to lose something so nice, and I couldn’t help but wonder why the airlines wouldn’t try harder to return items to people. That said, not everything is left in a suitcase. Lots of things, without names, are simply forgotten on the planes or at airports. I know I have left behind a camera, a sweater, and a charging cord in my travels.
In this case, someone else’s loss, was my gain. I picked up a rose and yellow gold nested Cartier ring for only $420! That was my big find, since I lost my Cartier trinity ring on the golf course twenty years ago. I left it on hold to think about it as I ventured to the women’s section.
Women’s Clothing
Those who know me, know I pick up a lot of clothes at secondhand stores. I can’t bring myself to spend several hundred dollars on a piece of clothing. I’d rather use that money on my horses or for travel. Surprisingly, I found several articles of unused clothing with the original price tags still attached. Everything I bought: jeans, a pair of shorts, and a few tops were $9.99 and less!
Bargain Basement
In all, I stayed much longer than I anticipated trying on clothes…probably a total of four hours. Likely because I was hungry, I started to get impatient and agitated. While I could have taken a lunch break at their café, enough was enough for me. Four hours of shopping is more than I have shopped in the last several years that wasn’t online!! As a result, I didn’t even make it to the bargain basement section in a separate building. I’m told you have to dig through items to find hidden gems…not in my bailiwick!
Museum
Before I checked out, however, I visited the small Unclaimed Baggage Museum. Can you believe they had a suit of armor on display? Yes, that was one of just a few odd things they have encountered over the years.
While the Unclaimed Baggage Store was probably a six-hour detour from my route home, I am glad I went! Not only did I find some deals, I drove through the small town of Summerville, GA, that reminded me of a boy I met on the QE2 when I was 16, and I found a great place to visit in the fall, Lake Guntersville State Park. The colors, fishing, hiking and more will make for a great girls trip. Until then…ETB
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