Worldwide fans are attracted to a company that sells lost luggage items, including AirPods, Rolex watches, and Louis Vuitton bags.

A Halloween card signed by Richard Nixon, a mounted ram head, and live snakes.

In 2023, Unclaimed Baggage reported the most fascinating items found in lost luggage, which were purchased sight unseen from airlines.

The company discovered a 13-foot vaulting pole, gory props from the "Saw" movie series, and a $12,000 pair of Louis Vuitton Nike Air Force 1 sneakers.

The company's first "Found Report: A Look Inside America's Lost Luggage," published April 1, provides details on those items and more.

CEO Bryan Owens shared with CNBC Travel that the idea of publishing an annual report showcasing the most common, expensive, and unusual items was thought to be amusing by the team.

According to the list, the most expensive items discovered this year are a $37,050 appraised diamond ring, a $26,500 Cartier Panthère watch, and a $23,500 Hermès Birkin 25 bag.

The company buys unclaimed items from airlines, hotels, trains, and rental car companies through long-term contracts. They process tens of thousands of items per week, with one third selling, another third being donated, and the rest being recycled, as stated by the company's representative.

""Every day feels like Christmas in our world of lost things," said Owens."

A loyal customer base

In 1970, Doyle Owens, Owen's father, founded the company after receiving a tip that a local bus company was facing an increasing number of bags left behind by passengers.

He borrowed $300 to purchase unwanted bags, marked up the items with price tags, and sold the goods from his home in Scottsboro, Alabama, with a population of 15,700.

"It was off to the races," said Owens.

The thrill of the hunt attracts people from near and far to Unclaimed Baggage's retail store in Scottsboro, which is larger than a city block and employs more than 250 people, he said.

"We have a customer base of over a million individuals annually, including those from all 50 states in the United States and 40 countries worldwide," he stated. "Our clientele includes individuals from the West Coast who frequently travel to us, as well as those from the U.K. who make an annual pilgrimage to our store solely for shopping purposes."

Owens stated that discounts vary from 20-80%, with clothes receiving greater discounts and Rolex watches receiving lesser discounts. The company aims to provide customers with a deal without encouraging resellers, he added.

A cruise ship employee was purchasing a large quantity of Kindles and selling them at port cities, according to Owens.

"We desire to obtain a unique deal that cannot be found elsewhere, however, our company does not engage in arbitrage."

Bestsellers and 'returns'

Owens stated that electronics sell the fastest, ranging from AirPods at $54 to an HP 15.6-inch laptop at $175.

But fine jewelry sells well too — even online, he said.

Owen stated that the company purchased 20 Rolexes in a single year, with one of his favorites being a 40-carat emerald encased in a simple cloth and hidden in an unremarkable bag.

Identifying items in lost luggage is like an "archaeological dig," said Owens, emphasizing the importance of authentication in the business, whether it's for Louis Vuitton luggage or a pair of Balenciaga sneakers.

Rarely, items are returned to their owners, he stated.

"He bought his girlfriend a pair of ladies snow skiing boots from Atlanta, but when she tried them on, she discovered her name written inside. She had lost her boots and received payment from the airlines. He found them at Unclaimed Baggage and returned them to her."

The company also discovers items with Unclaimed Baggage's tags, indicating that they were previously owned, sold, and then lost again.

Finders keepers

What about angry travelers who assert that the store's items are their misplaced possessions?

Typically, it takes about 90 days for the property to go through a thorough search process and for all claims to be settled, as stated by Owens.

Owens has discovered some valuable items over the years, such as the jacket he wore while speaking to CNBC Travel. He found it while conversing with a customer in a store.

He said, "I really like that sport coat," as he looked over at the rack.

It was discovered that the jacket belonged to the high-end Italian brand Kiton.

He stated that he wouldn't purchase this on his own, but it's a $10,000 sport coat.

The price tag at his store: $999.

How not to lose your luggage

According to SITA's Baggage IT Insights 2023 report, for every 1,000 passengers, 7.6 bags are mishandled. Of those, 80% are delayed and will eventually be returned to their owners, 13% are damaged or pilfered, and 7% are lost or stolen.

"Owens stated that airlines are successful in reuniting passengers with their bags, as only a small percentage of bags shipped end up lost."

The most common reason for lost bags, according to Unclaimed Baggage's "Found Report," is the absence of identification on or inside the bag.

To ensure easy identification of their luggage and keep important information organized, the company advises travelers to attach a sturdy luggage tag to their suitcases and include a sheet of paper or business card with their contact details and travel itinerary within.