Retail Therapy Unveiled: Unclaimed Baggage's Secrets

Retail Therapy Unveiled: Unclaimed Baggage's Secrets

Travel Guide 2023-11-07 ParkingNearAirports.io

While traveling, there are numerous shopping options available to you. Travelers can explore the SkyMall catalog or search the terminal for duty-free Champagne, popular books at Hudson News, or sweet treats at Dylan's Candy Bar. However, air travel also presents an unexpected shopping opportunity.


As per a report from the U.S. Department of Transportation, nearly 1.5 million bags were either lost, delayed, or damaged in the first half of 2022. Unclaimed or lost luggage is expected to be stored for a minimum of 30 days. After that period, the unclaimed baggage and its contents can be donated to charity or sold to the public. Even though 99.5% of fliers are eventually reunited with their luggage, there still remains a small percentage of unclaimed bags. This is where the shopping opportunity arises.


Unclaimed Baggage – Scottsboro, Alabama

Source: Google Search


In 1970, Doyle Owens, who hails from Alabama, borrowed $300 and used a pickup truck to make his way to Washington D.C. There, he purchased his first batch of unclaimed items from Trailways Bus Lines. As time went on, Owens expanded his business and formed partnerships with domestic airlines, eventually establishing the nation's sole lost luggage store. Presently, Unclaimed Baggage occupies an impressive 50,000 square feet and stands as one of the most popular tourist attractions in the state, drawing in bargain-hunters from all corners of the globe.


Among the diverse array of items that have been acquired at Unclaimed Baggage are remarkable finds, such as a 40-carat emerald discovered in a bag of Mardi Gras beads, a complete suit of armor, a live snake, and most recently, the tuxedo worn by Daniel Scheinert, co-director of the film Everything Everywhere All at Once, on the Oscars red carpet. These products are sold at discounted prices, often up to 80% below retail, and any unsold items are generously donated to benefit various charitable organizations. The store is divided into ten departments, and visitors can also enjoy a café and even have the opportunity to sort through a newly arrived unopened bag.


For five decades, avid shoppers had to make the journey to Scottsboro in order to peruse the goods available. However, due to the impact of the pandemic, Unclaimed Baggage has entered the realm of online shopping, opening up a new avenue for customers to explore and make purchases. To have a glimpse of the latest bargains that have arrived, you can check them out here.


Ensure that your belongings aren't offered for sale

Source: Kindel Media/Pexels


To prevent your belongings from being taken at Unclaimed Baggage, here are some helpful tips that can increase the likelihood of being reunited with your bag:

  1. Ensure that your luggage is equipped with an updated identification tag both on the outside and inside of the bag. This tag should include your home address, phone number, and, on the inside tag, the destination you are currently traveling to.
  2. Take a moment to double-check the airline's adhesive tag. Human errors can occur, so it's wise to confirm that your bag is being directed to the correct airport, such as LAX (Los Angeles), rather than LAS (Las Vegas).
  3. Consider using AirTags or Tile trackers, which are relatively affordable options. These devices can help you keep track of your bag's whereabouts if the airline decides to send it on an unexpected trip of its own.

By following these guidelines, you can significantly increase the chances of being reunited with your bag and preventing it from becoming unclaimed baggage.


The future of airport parking: ParkingNearAirports.io!

Source: Airam Dato-on/Pexels


You might be surprised about this fact because most people are confident that on-site parking is the best choice when you're traveling by air. But, actually, it's not true, and we'll explain why.


People who prefer to get to the airport by car think that it's the most convenient option since on-site parking is the nearest place to the airport where it's possible to park a vehicle safely for the period of a trip. However, they make a huge mistake, as there is a big chance to face many following difficulties:

  • You will need to find a spot in a crowded lot,
  • You will need to carry the luggage all the way through the parking lot,
  • You must pay expensive fees without great service, and much more.

Sounds not so good, right? But there is one great solution in this situation – an off-site parking option!


The off-site parking service has many advantages, which will definitely convince you to change your choice during the next trip:

  • First of all, it's much cheaper. On-site parking can become too costly for you, as the price for such a parking type might equal half the value of the whole trip. The cost of the off-site parking, in turn, will be not so high, offering alongside free shuttles going back and forth between the parking lot and the airport.
  • Secondly, it's much faster. By choosing an on-site parking option, you'll be needed to find a free spot in a crowded lot, which takes a lot of time. However, by selecting an off-site parking option, you'll be able to drive directly to the entrance, where staff members will help you to pull your luggage out of your vehicle and load it into the shuttle, as well as park your car securely for you. Finally, a free shuttle will bring you and your bags to the airport.
  • Thirdly, it's much more convenient. No more worries about being late to the airport and your flight – the off-site parking is a hassle-free option that is usually faster. Since you use the services of a private company, people want to be sure you're satisfied with the quality and comfort of the services provided, so you don't need to wrack your brain about the quick path to the airport anymore.

Source: Reinaldo Kevin/Unsplash


As for the companies that provide the best off-site parking services, we've prepared an ideal option for you. Our booking platform, ParkingNearAirports.io, built excellent relationships with many parking lot operators to leave customers satisfied and their cars – safe. Furthermore, it doesn't matter what the airport you're flying from is – on our easy-to-navigate website, https://parkingnearairports.io/, you'll find the best deals for all the major airports and cruise ports in the United States and Canada.


To understand it better, we can give you an example. Let's imagine that you live in Nashville, Tennessee and plan to visit Scottsboro, Alabama. Then, you can use the services of cheap parking near BNA Airport. If you're flying from NYC, New York, the situation is the same – choose affordable LGA off-site parking. So, as you can understand, everything works simply.


By the way, on our website, you can find all the required information about the advantages of off-site parking, airport parking deals, and others. So travel profitably and enjoy your following trip together with us!