Have any of you shopped the Unclaimed Baggage Center in Scottsboro, Alabama? Does anyone know if there are good/bad times of the year to go? Any hotels in the area you could recommend?

As always, thanks for the help!

I hadn't thought about that place in ages! Their web site says, "Unclaimed BAGGAGE items are usually priced at 50% to 80% off retail because they are typically used items." So this is one case where you might want to ask that classic Fodors board question: Is it worth it?" Cuz you can get NEW stuff for 50% or more off retail at your local TJMaxx.

We've been several years ago, but we didn't have to stay over. I live about 1 1/2 hrs away. I'm a bargain/flea market shopper but I didn't find anything that day . It is like other outlets in that sometimes you'll find something/sometime not. We have a smaller version (Lost and Found) in my town where I find things from time to time. Personally, I wasn't that impressed.

Junk junk and more junk.

Don't waste your time. Nearly everything in the place should have been thrown away.

I went a few years ago when my former roommate and I wanted to go on a one-day roadtrip. We were...underwhelmed.

Personally, unless you live within an hour or so of the place, it isn't worth it. I saw nothing of any real value. The only thing I purchased were a few paperback books.

I got the feeling that the locals are the ones that really benefit from it the most since they probably know when the new stuff comes in. When we were there, it seemed like everybody knew everybody.

I live less than an hour away and still think it's a waste of my time. It's everyone's leftover junk--you MIGHT find a diamond in the rough, but then again you probably won't (and you'd probably have better luck at your own local flea markets). There is no better time of year than another, since it's all just unclaimed baggage. And as for hotels, good luck. Scottsboro is teeeeny.

Thanks for the replies. "Once upon a time" one of my adult daughters heard about it on the Oprah Show and has wanted to go ever since. In our area, there is a big salvage business so I imagine it's pretty much like that--sometimes you hit, but most of the time it's just time wasted sorting through junk.

Thanks, again!