How to buy unclaimed packages and discover hidden gems (2024)

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How often do you buy a bunch of stuff online, planning to only keep your favorites? I shop for clothes this way, for sure— and I’m not the only one. Returns cost retailers $743billionlastyear.

If you’ve ever wondered, “What happens to all those returns?” the answer is pretty darn interesting. We did the research and found the best places where you can score deals on other people’s “no, thank you”items.

Wait, how does thatwork?

Let’s take Amazon as an example. Any package that’s undeliverable and unclaimed for 90days is fair game. Amazonsells unclaimed stuffright on its website.Pro tip:Some items have crazy delivery charges tacked on, so check before you get excited about adeal.

The same goes for packages from other retailers sent through the U.S.Postal Service. After 90days, they’re sold to the highestbidder.

Like a garage sale butbetter

The USPS contracts with a website to auction off things postal workers can’t deliver. Go toGovDeals.comto browse everything from TVs to vehicles to kitchen appliances.

Liquidation.comhawks packages and undelivered goods from Amazon, Target, Walmart and The Home Depot. You can filter by brand orretailer.

Note:Many of these deals are for items sold in lots, like this lot with57pairs of Sony headphones. The current bid is just $100— hello, side hustle! You’ll see plenty of finds likethis.

Feeling mysterious?

Some returned and undeliverable merch is packaged into “mystery boxes,” which are like grab bags. You don’t know precisely what you’ll get, but the idea is you’ll find a valuable item you want to keep orsell.

Sound like fun? TryPoshmark. Search for “mystery box” and you’ll find listings for returns from retailers like Walmart and Amazon, ranging in price from a few bucks to over $500. For $50,this seller will send you eight itemsand let you make requests from their 20,000listings.

eBay

Unsurprisingly, eBay is more of a buyer-beware situation. These are often mystery packages. Some sell items they couldn’t get to the customer or returned things.

Just type “unclaimed packages” or a similar term in the search bar on the site and see what comes up.

Facebook Marketplace

Facebook Marketplace makes it easy to buy stuff locally. You meet the seller to pick up your purchases and skip all the shipping headaches.

Just as you would on eBay, search for “unclaimed packages.” But take extra care! When meeting in person, do it in a public place and check the items before handing over your money. It never hurts to bring a friend, either.

Bonus: Unclaimed Baggage

Unclaimed Baggagedates back to 1970 and has an agreement with airlines to purchase lost luggage. Rather than providing an unwelcome surprise (think of a bag filled with dirty laundry or worse), this site opens the bags, checks the contents and cleans them.

The baggage is available online or at the company’s store in Scottsboro, Alabama.

Read this before you buy

While there’s a fun factor that comes with the mystery, don’t expect to open a package and find gold (literally or figuratively). There’s usually a reason that an item was returned or never accepted by the buyer.

Many of these products have been sitting in a warehouse for a while and the owners want to get rid of them. There’s no guarantee of condition or functionality. What you get is what you get, and your chances of return or refund are close to zero if that.

It truly is a buyer-beware situation, as the products are typically not checked or inspected. Nobody will know if there’s a dangerous item in the box until it’s opened. As with any online purchase, check out customer reviews and seller ratings before making any moves. Ask for photos if you don’t see any.

The sites we listed above are established and generally safe, but scammers and thieves can use these platforms just like anyone else. If you’re asked for payment in the form of cryptocurrency or gift cards, run away and block the seller. This is an all-too-common and scammy practice.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Tags: Amazon, cryptocurrency, deals, eBay, Facebook, Facebook Marketplace, GovDeals, home, Liquidation.com, Poshmark, ratings, reviews, unclaimed money