Your Lost Luggage is Being Sold...

[BadRomance]

I saw this segment on the Early Show on CBS as I was getting ready for work...

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/03/23/earlyshow/living/travel/main6325853.shtml

It makes me even more nervous to check a bag now!

 

[GeorgeG]

And that's just the stuff that makes it to unclaimed baggage...

The baggage handlers grab what they want before it even get's on the plane.

 

[NotUrsula]

Most of the things that end up there are bags that cannot be matched with a passenger; either there is no identifying marking on them, or the passenger never bothered to file a claim.

The best way to make sure that misdirected bags get back to you is to identify the heck out of them. Put TWO copies of a your printed itinerary inside the bag, one in the main section, and one in a zipped pocket. Write your name and cell phone number in a sharpie on the inside of the frame somewhere; that is the strongest part of the case.

Make sure the outside tag is securely attached to a handle that is sewn on the bag; not one hooked on by a metal link, because those are usually the first thing that breaks. Make sure that the tag is up to date and has your cell phone number on it, and if you cannot use a business card in the tag, it is a good idea to switch the tags inbound and outbound: outbound with your hotel name and address, and inbound with your work address.

If you do have a bag go astray or get damaged, DO NOT leave the airport without filing a claim. No matter how late it is and how few airline employees are to be found, rattle some chains if necessary, and get it done before you walk out the doors.

 

[Inigo]

On a road trip south a few years ago, we went to the Unclaimed Baggage store in Alabama. It was amazing the stuff they had for sell. We bought a bazillion Legos for very cheap.

 

[ChristaDeVil]

I live a couple of hours away from Unclaimed Baggage, and I've never been! I think that's something I'm doing this summer. I hear you can get some crazy bargains!

 

[I loveStitchnippyjon]

Most of the things that end up there are bags that cannot be matched with a passenger; either there is no identifying marking on them, or the passenger never bothered to file a claim.

The best way to make sure that misdirected bags get back to you is to identify the heck out of them. Put TWO copies of a your printed itinerary inside the bag, one in the main section, and one in a zipped pocket. Write your name and cell phone number in a sharpie on the inside of the frame somewhere; that is the strongest part of the case.

Make sure the outside tag is securely attached to a handle that is sewn on the bag; not one hooked on by a metal link, because those are usually the first thing that breaks. Make sure that the tag is up to date and has your cell phone number on it, and if you cannot use a business card in the tag, it is a good idea to switch the tags inbound and outbound: outbound with your hotel name and address, and inbound with your work address.

If you do have a bag go astray or get damaged, DO NOT leave the airport without filing a claim. No matter how late it is and how few airline employees are to be found, rattle some chains if necessary, and get it done before you walk out the doors.

Yeah, my DD did ALL that and her bag still disappeared on an AA flight. It was a direct flight, and AA said her bag was scanned in at the airport but does not appear to have then left the airport. I guess some baggage handler liked the looks of it!
This was in January, she filed a claim ASAP, and is STILL waiting to be reimbursed.

 

[cybrkitn]

On a road trip south a few years ago, we went to the Unclaimed Baggage store in Alabama. It was amazing the stuff they had for sell. We bought a bazillion Legos for very cheap.

I watched something on the Travel Channel a few months ago about that store (one of the Extreme shows). One woman actually bought back something that belonged to her that she lost. It's the only documented case the store has of someone buying back lost luggage.

 

[padams]

The Unclaimed Baggage store in Alabama has been there for years. The airlines selling unclaimed baggage is not a new thing.

 

[DisneyNicole]

That makes enough sense for them to do that-If they don't claim it after a month or two

 

[rie'smom]

On a road trip south a few years ago, we went to the Unclaimed Baggage store in Alabama. It was amazing the stuff they had for sell. We bought a bazillion Legos for very cheap.

My husband and I are planning to stop there on the way to pick up our daughter from school.

 

[tennvalgirl]

I am a frequent Unclaimed Baggage shopper and I must say that all of you had some very nice things that I now own.

You wouldn't believe some of the things people check in their luggage.

And to the poster who said they live a couple hours away, do yourself a favor and GO check out the store. You won't be sorry!

 

[Scurvy]

I used to go there fairly often, but the more I went the more it bothered me. I felt so bad seeing all the lost stuff, especially the stuffed animals. They do have some really neat things at some great prices, but I just can't bring myself to shop there any longer. It makes me feel too much like a vulture. It also really bothers me that they have a muppet (Hoggle) from "Labyrinth" there. I always wonder if they even tried to return it to the rightful owners. With most of the things you'd have no way of knowing who it had belonged to, but it would be easy to find the owner of some of the things - especially Hoggle!

 

[BadRomance]

On the segment that I watched they showed that they had an engagement ring for sale that was valued at 17,000 or something! I am sure (or I hope) the owner of the lost luggage must have had that insured... but still... I couldn't buy someone elses engagement ring. So sad!

WHO ON EARTH would check an engagement ring? (Besides Ben Stiller on Meet the Parents? Haha remember that?)

 

[lacrosse_lady72]

This is why I don't EVER check anything truly valuable. Clothes, shoes, make up, sure... but never phones, cameras, computers or iPods.

 

[SandrA9810]

Disney does the same thing, with lost and found. It's mandatory that they keep it for like 60-90 day, but that's where the finder's keeper's rule comes into play.

As much as you would like to return the items to the rightful owner... there's only so much you can do.

I buy things all the time from Lost and Found for cheap. I bought a digital camera for 10$, that retails for 120$.

 

[WeLoveLilo05]

I saw this on the travel channel or something, they had skis and everything, very interesting.

 

[MarkBarbieri]

That reminds me of one of my favorite YouTube videos - United Breaks Guitars.