It’s Halloween, so NotLost is releasing some obligatory spooky-themed content.
And why shouldn’t we?
Frankly, there were too many avenues to choose from. The horrors of a poorly thought-out lost property process, for example, sends chills down our spine. How about the terrifying consequences of a negative customer experience? It doesn’t even bear thinking about
We decided against this, opting for something more tangible – the most macabre items found in lost property boxes worldwide. Luckily, there was no shortage of options.
Bureau of Found Objects
Like any major city, Paris manages its fair share of lost property. This momentous task is undertaken by the fantastically named Bureau of Found Objects, whose diligent staff have sifted through the city of lights forgotten possessions for a mind-boggling 220 years. As you might imagine, they’ve seen it all.
In one corner of the Bureau lies a shrine to unusual lost items no one bothered to claim. Some are mere curiosities for the staff to laugh at on slower days, and others are downright disturbing.
The standout winner is a human skull. Found near the catacombs, it has remained in the bureau’s possession since 1981 and has become a source of fascination for visitors and staff. Why no one wanted to claim their skull is a mystery.
Fortunately, the skull has company. Other creepy bureau residents include a prosthetic leg (how no one missed that enough to come looking for it is an even bigger mystery) and a matching wedding dress and shoes, perhaps telling a chilling tale of jilted love. Maybe.
The Lost Property (and souls) Office
The Lost Property Office in East London handles all the misplaced possessions found on TfL’s extensive transport system. It’s a big job, ably assisted by NotLost’s market-leading software lost property software. Anyway.
You could argue the sheer volume of items handed in is quite scary, at around 6,500 per week. Ok, maybe it’s a bit of a stretch (and it doesn’t seem to bother TfL staff one bit). A more compelling point is made for sufferers of pellebaphobia, aka, fear of umbrellas, with tens of thousands of brollies handed in each year.
No, the best case for TfL’s spookiest object goes to an urn filled with human ash. While fairly grim at first glance, this story has a wholesome ending, as the urn was eventually returned to the deceased’s family after seven years. How lovely.
The lost property office has also suffered through a box of cooked frogs, false eyes (the two of which sound like they would make good stock for a witch potion) and theatrical coffins.
Uber Creepy
Have you even lived if you haven’t forgotten something in an Uber?
Well, the trend seems common enough for the ride-hailing giant to publish periodical articles detailing the strange items left behind in their cabs. Most are fairly innocent and relatable: phones, wallets, keys—you know, boring, run-of-the-mill possessions.
Others fall into the concerning category, leaving normal people scratching their heads in confusion, mouths agape in horror. Our pick of the litter is not one but two boxes containing live spiders. We will never know whether this was a scientific endeavour or just a poorly thought-out present.
As if that wasn’t enough, Uber also recorded human teeth, a fish’s head, a rat’s model skeleton, and a nondescript tub containing surgical implements in its cars.
What is wrong with people?
Don’t be scared
All jokes aside, if you’re having nightmares about managing your business’s lost property, we’d love to put your mind at ease.
NotLost’s software has helped countless clients transform their process and ensure that if a human skull does find its way into your lost property, you’ll at least have a fighting chance of returning it.