I forked out £136 trying the lost luggage trend – I doubled my money but my most exciting find turned was a BA freebie
WE'VE all heard of return pallets, but have you seen the lost luggage trend that's taken social media by storm?
Recently, influencers have been going wild for
Advertisement
7
With everyone going wild for the lost luggage trend, I ordered myself an unclaimed suitcase to see what I could find
Credit: Abigail Wilson
7
Personal details are removed from cases, but 'apart from that, everything is left as is'
Credit: Undelivrd
7
Not only did I spot dirty boxers and worn socks, but the smell left me close to gagging
Credit: Abigail Wilson
7
There was a football scarf and a toiletry bag from The White Company
Credit: Abigail Wilson
But would you risk spending over £100 on someone's
After seeing many TikTokers and YouTubers open lost luggage and finding all things from a Kindle, a huge selection of clothes and even hair straighteners, to a
Last year alone, Google Trends saw a 100 per cent spike in searches for 'lost luggage' - abandoned suitcases usually full to the brim with clothes, souvenirs and random items.
The 'lost and unclaimed' luggage comes from 'the world's busiest airports' and while some may find designer buys, quirky gifts or sometimes even gadgets, the possibilities are as varied as the travellers who once packed them.
Advertisement
Read more Fabulous stories
But there are a number of major drawbacks when buying lost luggage…the size and brand of the suitcase you receive will be totally random.
Not only this, but if a person loses their luggage on the way back from a holiday, there's likely to be worn clothing inside - yes, you heard that correctly.
After hearing countless content creators order theirs from
According to those at Undelivrd, selling the lost luggage is a 'sustainable and economical way of dealing' with it.
Advertisement
Most read in Fabulous
Rather than piles of suitcases heading straight to the dump, airports are auctioning them off to give the
Of course, personal details are removed, but those at Undelivrd claimed that 'apart from that, everything is left as is.'
Unveiling the Shocking Reality of Lost Luggage Purchases
So I ordered myself a suitcase, which was listed online for £129.99.
It ended up costing me £136.98 once the postage fees were piled on top, so not cheap.
Advertisement
But would I find some steals? Or just a bunch of tatt and some dirty knickers?
Much to my surprise, the suitcase only took a week to arrive.
No box in sight, the case was wrapped in a black bin bag and was far from luxe.
Not knowing the contents made it very exciting, but unsure on the condition of what I would find, I nervously got my Marigold Gloves at the ready.
Advertisement
The sweaty, stale smell that was equivalent to the stench of a teenage boy's bedroom was horrendous
Abby Wilson
In the hope of stumbling upon some unexpected treasurers, I eagerly ripped off the bin bag, to find a black
After a quick Google search, I spotted that such suitcases are available to buy online for £129 - so technically you've made the money back on the case itself, even though it had clearly been used on numerous occasions and was visibly quite battered.
But I didn't even have to unzip the case for the grim, musty smell to invade my nostrils.
Think of a room full of years of
Advertisement
The sweaty, stale smell that was equivalent to the stench of a teenage boy's bedroom was horrendous and is still, days later, giving me flashbacks and lingering in my nose.
7
The American Tourister case was pretty battered
Credit: Abigail Wilson
7
These Asda shoes were practically new
Credit: Abigail Wilson
7
My haul proves that ordering lost luggage is definitely a gamble
Credit: Abigail Wilson
Advertisement
While I was hoping to get my hands on a woman's suitcase, in the hope of topping up my wardrobe with some new clothes or maybe even some jewellery, I was disappointed to see that I had been sent a man's case.
And I was even more gutted when I noticed that it was full of clothes that had clearly been worn.
If you thought smelly socks were bad, I was on the verge of gagging when I spotted three pairs of worn pants.
It appears that the man this case belonged to had potentially been on holiday to Portugal, as I immediately spotted two Algarve Jazz Festival grey t-shirts.
Advertisement
Alongside this, there was an empty toiletry bag and an unbranded navy hoodie, which wasn't short of stains.
How to buy lost luggage
THE famous US store which sells off unclaimed baggage has launched an online shop - so you can buy more travellers' lost items.
The Unclaimed Baggage Center, located in Alabama, has long been a destination for treasure hunters wanting to find a bargain from the abandoned suitcases.
Located in the tiny town of Scottsboro, which has a population of 14,000, it is an unlikely tourist hotspot.
Inside is a megastore of misplaced possessions taken from tens of thousands of suitcases, rucksacks and duffel bags, all lost on commercial flights across the US.
Now, you don't have to travel to the US and can do your shopping online with their new online store.
The centre has launched the online shopping experience as part of their 50th anniversary, having opened in 1970.
Everything from clothing to electronics are found on the website - current items for sale include high-street dresses from $8 up to
They also have a weird and wonderful section which ranges from gold necklaces and diving equipment to designer gowns and signed memorabilia.
Legally, airlines have a duty to reunite luggage with their owners within 90 days, but if that fails, bags end up at the centre.
So frequent are these deliveries that the Unclaimed Baggage Center has around one million items on sale at any time, with 7,000 new items added to the shop floor every day.
Not everything that is found is sold - a third is binned, including all underwear, while another third of it is donated to charity.
Brenda Cantrell, the store's brand ambassador, says: 'Less than half a per cent of all lost luggage fails to make it back to its owners, but that's still thousands of bags every year.
'And the vast majority of those make their way here. We have exclusive contracts with all the major US carriers, making us the only store of this kind anywhere in the country.'
According to journalist Jonathon Thompson
Customers have also found bargains while shopping there - one person bought a £65 vase, only to find out later it was worth £15,000, while one piece of art valued at £45 was actually worth £20,000.
The guy this suitcase belonged to was clearly a football fan, as I also stumbled across a
As well as this, there was also a Bayer 04 Leverkusen 2023/24 home jersey, which are being flogged online for just under £70.
Next, I spotted a H&M black hoodie, which is currently on the website for £27.99, as well as a pair of blue Adidas shorts, which if you buy them new, are £35.
Advertisement
Much to my dismay, I was only halfway through and incredibly disappointed.
Having said that, things appeared to look up when I saw a small
Yes, you get them free when you fly with British Airways, but it was the most exciting thing I'd seen so far, without a doubt.
The beauty bags, which contain an eye mask, ear plugs and a mini toothbrush, are being flogged for £7 on eBay and are perfect for travelling.
Advertisement
While many may think that selling-on lost luggage contents could be a good earner, my haul proves that it is definitely a gamble
Abby Wilson
It was un-unused, unlike a lot of the other stuff in this case.
Following this, I found a pair of barely worn, brown leather shoes from Asda, which are still available to order from the site for £25.
And that's not all, as I also (unfortunately) found three pairs of Jack & Jones boxers, which when bought new, are £45 a pack.
In total, the contents of my lost luggage - bought new - came to £223.98, not as high as I had hoped.
Advertisement
If you add on the cost of the actual suitcase, it totals just over £350.
What was in the box and what's it worth?
Bayer 04 Leverkusen football scarf - £14
Bayer 04 Leverkusen jersey - £69.99
H&M hoodie - £27.99
Adidas shorts - £35
The White Company toiletry bag - £7 on eBay
Three pairs of Jack & Jones boxers - £45
Asda leather shoes - £25
While many may think that selling-on lost luggage contents could be a good earner, my haul proves that it is definitely a gamble.
The smell of the case is still haunting me, so the thought of going through it all again and posting it on Vinted in the hope of earning a quick buck is not something I'm up for.
Despite the battered hoodies and worn socks, everything was in reasonably decent condition, so I guess you could say it wasn't a total waste of time.
Advertisement
But if you're hoping to find a new iPad or a posh designer bag, you should be aware that you'll have to take a chance when searching through lost luggage.
Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme -
Sun Club
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
River Island's 'spacious' €54 bag looks identical to €250 Michael Kors tote
River Island customers are snapping up a generously sized shopper bag that bears an uncanny resemblance to a pricier version from a designer label. This budget-friendly find is not only ideal for toting laptops and other work necessities, but also serves as a stylish carry-on for overseas holidays. Priced at €54, the White Embossed Side Tie Shopper Bag is nearly €200 less than a tote from Michael Kors. Opting for the high-end Quinn Leather Tote Bag would set you back a hefty €250. The roomy River Island bag is crafted from vegan leather and adorned with an embossed RI monogram print throughout. It boasts convenient shoulder straps for easy and comfortable carrying, along with side ties to expand the bag when you need extra space. Adding a playful touch, the this €54 is finished off with trendy detachable bag charms. The Michael Kors bag also includes a gold-tone bag pendant. This luxe-looking bag measures L: 30cm x D: 18cm x W: 50cm and is designed to accommodate everyday essentials. Whether you're packing your laptop, Kindle, purse and headphones for the office, or stashing a beach towel, flip flops and bottle of SPF in your holdall, River Island tote has got you covered, reports the Manchester Evening News. While River Island doesn't provide the option for customers to leave product reviews, this bag is sure to be a chic and practical addition to any summer ensemble. It's worth noting, however, that vegan leather often requires more maintenance than traditional leather, so bear that in mind.
The Irish Sun
06-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
I got my hands on Primark's viral £25 Ryanair-approved cabin bag – it ‘fits everything', has wheels & saved me £60
PRIMARK shoppers are raving about a viral cabin bag that's perfect for Ryanair flights. So if you're lucky enough to be jetting on holiday any time soon and don't fancy splashing the cash on hold luggage, then you've come to the right place. 5 A high-street shopper has managed to get her hands on the viral Ryanair-approved cabin bag from Primark Credit: tiktok/@hayleyrubery 5 Not only is it said to "fit everything" inside, but it also saved Hayley Rubery £60 too Credit: tiktok/@hayleyrubery 5 The Trolley Cabin Bag is available to buy in stores or online with the chain's new Click & Collect service Credit: Primark 5 There's three styles to choose from Credit: Primark Thanks to the new pull-along Hayley Rubery, a young woman from Norfolk, was able to get her hands on the 'viral Ryanair-approved bag' when shopping in a Thrilled with her purse-friendly find, the content creator who is known online as 'your budgeting bestie', took to social media to give her followers a close-up look at her new purchase. Showing off the bag which she nabbed in black, Hayley beamed: 'Come with me to pick up the £25 viral Ryanair-approved cabin bag from Primark.' Read more Primark stories Hayley then explained: 'I'm off to Italy next week and refuse to pay £60 extra for a small suitcase, when the flight itself was only £60. 'This little bag is everywhere right now and for good reason - it's the exact size for a Ryanair-approved 'I love that it's got wheels and a handle which will make it so much easier when travelling.' Not only was Hayley able to save £60 on the hold luggage fee thanks to this Most read in Fabulous Moments later, Hayley asked: 'I'm going for four nights, do you reckon I can fit everything in here? Challenge accepted.' Once Hayley had arrived home, she began packing the Shoppers rush to snap up Primark's 'underseat suitcase' which is perfect for holidays & it also has removable wheels if you need it to be even smaller Not only did she fit in a packing cube full of clothes, but she also added a toiletry bag and her Kindle too. According to Why is Primark the place to go to for bargains? JUST how does Primark do it? Continue delivering on-trend items at such incredible prices? According to bosses, it's down to four points. They "sell a lot of items" - Thanks to that, they are able to make savings by buying in bulk for their 191 UK stores They "do very little advertising" While their clothes offer the "latest trends", they "don't use expensive hangers, tags or labels". And lastly, they try to be "as efficient as possible when transporting products from factories to stores". This includes things like asking "suppliers to pack our t-shirts so they are ready to go straight on shelf". For more information about how Primark keeps their costs so low, and are able to deliver such amazing bargains, visit the There's three designs to choose from - black, leopard print and zebra print. Not only is it 'perfectly sized for essentials', but it also benefits from a large main compartment with a secure zip fastening, as well as an external zipped pocket for extra organisation. Bargain hunters beam Hayley's TikTok clip, which she posted under the username @ I've used it four times in the last two weeks. Fits loads. Never stopped by Ryanair TikTok user And numerous Top Primark summer buys IF you're looking for more Primark summer buys, then you've come to the right place. Shoppers have recently been raving about the Others were desperate to nab the If animal print is your thing, you'll want to check out the The If you're on a budget, these There's And if you plan on heading to the beach, you won't want to miss these One person said: 'I've got that in Another added: 'I've used it four times in the last two weeks. Fits loads. Never stopped by Ryanair.' A third commented: 'I've got the Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club 5 According to Primark bosses, with this cabin bag you are guaranteed to 'travel in style" Credit: Primark
The Irish Sun
05-06-2025
- The Irish Sun
Sun lounger vigilantes RUINED my holiday, says disabled Brit OAP after fuming tourists were filmed snatching pool towels
A BRIT tourist was left fuming after TikTokers swiped bed towels from a sun lounger she had been given permission to reserve due to her disability. Wheelchair user Elaine Simpson, 77, from Manchester , was staying at the Aquasol Aparthotel near Advertisement 4 Elaine (R) with her family at the airport ahead of their holiday 4 They staying at the Aquasol Aparthotel near Magaluf Credit: Jam Press 4 TikTokers rushed down at 2am to take the towels away Credit: Jam Press/@mandylb3 4 People praised the group for taking the towels away Credit: Jam Press/@mandylb3 But her plans to enjoy the special day by the poolside were ruined after a Elaine was joined for the trip by her husband and teenage grandkids for a week's break in the sun. But when they arrived, she was put into a hotel room that was five floors up and as far from the pool as they could have been. Because she suffers from chronic arthritis and is in a wheelchair, this made it a challenge to claim a hotel sun bed at opening time. Advertisement She told the Sun: "We could never have made it down for 9am to get a sunbed. "So we went out to the beach and paid for sunbeds for the whole week." Her anniversary came towards the end of their trip - and she wanted to have one day of being able to enjoy the poolside at the hotel. So she asked reception if they could make an exception to hotel rules and let her reserve a sun bed for that day. Advertisement Most read in The Sun "I went to the man on reception and explained the situation," she said. "And he said 'you have my approval to reserve some sunbeds around the pool'." Her teenage grandsons dutifully laid out fresh towels on the sun beds that night so they could save spots for the whole family. But when they arrived in the morning, the towels had been taken and they were once again left without a space - spoiling the relaxing poolside day they had planned. Advertisement "The only thing that was available apart from that was white plastic chairs, she added. "They were too hard. And I can't lie down on the grass, I've got chronic arthritis." To start with, they were told it had likely been a lifeguard who removed the towels in error. But it later transpired that a group of friends, who were unaware an exception was made for the family, had taken the towels. They had shared a video on TikTok of the lads putting down the towels - who the friends had assumed were tourists attempting to get ahead of the morning rush. Advertisement The TikTok shows them sneaking down in the dead of night to swipe the towels in what was painted as an act of justice against queue jumpers. Comments on the video lambasted the family for what was perceived as an inconsiderate act of breaking the hotel rules. Elaine told the Sun: "It was vile. My grandsons are 13 and 15, they had no right to post any pictures of them. "They were just trying to look out for me. Advertisement "They've not right to do that without checking the facts. "What somebody saw, and the truth, are completely different." Elaine said her daughter has since made contact with the TikToker who posted the original video, who apologised profusely for the confusion and took the clip down. Read more on the Irish Sun But she added that the experience hasn't entirely soured their trip. Advertisement They plan to go back to the same hotel next August, and hope to arrange a more wheelchair friendly room with staff.
