My Experiences with JCPenney's Lost-and-Found Bin

People are always forgetting where they put things, and sometimes leaving things behind in a store. Oftentimes, it's not even just a typical set of car keys left at the counter. Credit cards are common, too. Not only are some objects odd, they're also so unmistakably visible at times when they're left.

I've worked in retail for most jobs I have had. In that comes a lot of new experiences: new tasks, different customers, different problems. Some days it's difficult enough trying to maintain a store and keep track of all the employees, nonetheless worry about customers belongings they misplace.

While working at JCPenney in different areas, our lost and found was located in the catalog department. There we held the typical items; keys, phones, sunglasses, you name it. But what I didn't realize was the weird wild stuff people of all ages leave behind, and come back looking for.

We are all forgetful at times. Our days are filled with stress and we can't concentrate as hard, but how does one leave a bag from another store in the dressing rooms? I love trying on clothes. I love shopping at different stores within a mall. But it's just a little hard to miss a Rue21 bag in JCPenney dressing room as I'm exiting. That's just not paying attention.

But what about other things, such as books that are halfway read? Or baby bottles (I know, who's going to really keep that!)? Maybe your child has lost a sock. We all check the lost and found naturally.

While working in catalog one day, a kid about 8 or 9 years old came up to me and asked if I had seen his Power Ranger. He said he had lost it a couple days ago when him and his mom came shopping. He doesn't remember where he set it. I grabbed the keys to the safe that contained all the lost items and opened it to a world of random goodies. Amongst the sunglasses and books was a strayed slipper, a pack of wallet sized pictures that were of dogs and family outings, and low and behold - the Power Ranger. That kid got lucky. What surprised me was usually the parent finding a Power Ranger within a pile of clothes might keep the toy and give it to their own child.