What does a Chanel blazer, a 66-piece sterling silver dinnerware set and a handpan have in common?
They are all high-priced items left behind in unclaimed luggage. According to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, airlines handled almost 393 million bags in 2021, with 2 million pieces of luggage going astray.
Coming to the rescue to ‘truly orphaned’ items is Alabama-based company, Unclaimed Baggage. The firm buys bags from domestic U.S airlines and other travel firms following a three-month search for the owners.
Staff say it is a complete lottery as to what they find in the bags, but sometimes the contents can be surprising.
Unclaimed Baggage buys bags from U.S airlines and other travel firms following a three-month search for the owners. One of the current prize pieces is Chanel jacket ($6,599.99)
A pair of leather ankle boots by Givenchy ($1,496.99) and a crystal embellished black mini dress by Prada ($2,400.99)
A Louise Vuitton rolling case recently sold for $2,000, but there is still a Tom Ford briefcase going for $1,999.99
The Unclaimed Baggage website has a spread of different categories including mobile phones, musical instruments, pet products and sporting goods.
Of course, there is lots of clothing to choose from.
Currently some of the prize pieces include a tweed Chanel jacket ($6,599.99), a crystal embellished black mini dress by Prada ($2,400.99), and a men’s leather bomber jacket by Givenchy ($4,500.99).
On the footwear front, the most expensive listing for ladies is a pair of leather ankle boots by Givenchy ($1,496.99).
While for the men, Unclaimed Baggage serves up a pair of neon green Louis Vuitton sneakers ($1,130).
Unsurprisingly, there’s a good selection of luggage on offer, ranging from low end to luxury.
A Louise Vuitton rolling case recently sold for $2,000, but there is still a Tom Ford briefcase going for $1,999.99 and a Tumi duffel bag on for $836.99.
Ladies handbags are also often accidentally left behind, the company says, and at the moment there is a limited edition velvet Chanel bag up for grabs with a $3,120.99 price tag.
When it comes to the highest priced item on the website, there is a diamond and gold bracelet listed at $9,123.99.
When it comes to the highest priced item on the website, there is a diamond and gold bracelet listed at $9,123.99
A limited edition velvet Chanel bag up for grabs with a $3,120.99 price tag and a pair of neon green Louis Vuitton sneakers ($1,130)
A Versace men’s watch on sale for just over $1,000 and a unique green glass vase made in France ($409.99)
Some of the more off unusual items currently for sale include an antique 66-piece sterling silver dinnerware set ($1,900.99)
Unclaimed Baggage started life in 1970 when entrepreneur Doyle Owens ventured to Washington D.C. and bought his first load of unclaimed baggage from Trailways Bus Line
Discarded designer watches also fetch a pretty penny and there is a Versace men’s watch on sale for just over $1,000.
Along with standard fashion and electronic products, Unclaimed Luggage says some of the cases contain some pretty bizarre things.
Some of the more unusual items currently for sale include an antique 66-piece sterling silver dinnerware set ($1,900.99), a 13 note handpan ($1,049.99), and a unique green glass vase made in France ($409.99).
But these items seem quite tame compared to some of Unclaimed Baggage’s previous finds.
A section on the website details some of the ‘extraordinary’ things recovered.
The company once received a ‘terrible-smelling’ bear pelt that had been packed in salt prior to travel and in 2002, a ten-foot-long Tibetan dung chen – a ceremonial horn that’s often used in religious rituals – arrived at the sorting center.
Even stranger, the company says that it has received several shrunken heads over the years, including one that served as decoration on a medicine-man stick.
It is unsure where this bizarre item came from but notes: ‘Headhunting has been documented only in the Amazon rainforest’s northwestern region (Ecuador and Peru).
‘Tribes such as the Aguaruna, Huambisa, Achuar and Shuar have been known to shrink and collect human heads.’
Unclaimed Baggage started life in 1970 when entrepreneur Doyle Owens ventured to Washington D.C. and bought his first load of unclaimed baggage from Trailways Bus Line.
He then sold the contents on card tables in an old rented house and the venture was an instant success. Owens went on to form close relationships with airlines and expanded the business.
Today company remains family owned and customers can purchase goods online or in store, with a café and a ‘Museum of Found Treasures’ proving other popular attractions.
Any items that aren’t sold are either donated to charities or recycled.
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