Table of Contents
- Adrenaline Rush with the Mystery Box
- Jumping on a Social Media Trend
- The Issue of Lost Parcels
- The Mystery Box Industry
- The Excitement of Risk
- Impact on Consumers
- Like Buying a Lottery Ticket
- Conclusion
As a massive cardboard box arrived on my doorstep, I experienced a surge of excitement.
The 11kg box was the size of a suitcase and secured with heavy-duty tape.
The Sun’s Yasmin Harisha with items from her Mystery BoxCredit: Lorna Roach – Commissioned by The Sun Fabulous Magazine
She remarked: ‘The thrill lies in the mystery’Credit: LORNA ROACH
Although I had been anticipating its arrival, I had no clue what was inside.
I had jumped on a recent social media trend and ordered from one of the leading resellers in this emerging market.
The cost was £100 — which could either be a steal or a scam, depending on the contents. Astonishingly, the items inside my box were worth over £1,270.
On TikTok, there are approximately 750,000 videos of individuals unboxing similar packages, showcasing mixed outcomes.
While one user received trainers and a coat, another unboxed a trophy and pampering products.
One TikTok user revealed their haul, which included a showerhead, natural cleansing footpads, and a handheld vector analyzer. One comment read: “I’ve never had any luck with mystery boxes.”
Like many of us, I’ve had my share of missing online orders — from designer items to gifts and even bulk deliveries.
Last December, I placed a significant order that included clothing and accessory gifts, but it never arrived.
The frustration was immense, especially after spending what felt like an eternity talking to a chatbot that led me in circles.
With Christmas approaching, I had no choice but to rush to stores and grab whatever I could find.
In the UK, up to eight million parcels go missing or are stolen each year. I’ve always received refunds or replacements for lost items. But what happens to the missing parcels?
This is where the Mystery Box industry comes into play, centered around parcels that truly go missing due to administrative errors or coding mishaps, ultimately ending up in logistics firm warehouses.
While some parcels are eventually donated to charity or destroyed by delivery companies, many are resold to intermediaries, who repackage and sell them online.
‘Risk is Exciting’
I ordered my Mystery Box from Wholesale Clearance UK. On their website, I searched for “abandoned parcels” and was presented with a selection of boxes in various sizes.
The average box was priced at £100, which translates to about £5 per item inside.
A TikTok user unpacks a Mystery BoxCredit: TikTok/@beckysbazaar
The TikTok user discovers another surprise in the Mystery BoxCredit: TikTok/@beckysbazaar
It feels unjust that delivery companies and third-party intermediaries profit from lost items, yet I can’t help but feel a thrill at the thought of what could be inside.
This allure is why the trend has gained traction on social media. Psychologist Emma Kenny states: “As we age, life tends to become less surprising, making risk exhilarating.
“In an age of immediacy, the anticipation of waiting to discover the contents of your parcel is refreshing. Even if the outcome is disappointing, the experience is rewarding.”
Karl Baxter, managing director of Wholesale Clearance UK, explained: “The parcels we provide in our Abandoned Parcels Mystery Boxes are sourced through trusted logistics partners who specialize in handling undeliverable or unclaimed parcels from major delivery networks.
“We don’t receive them directly from couriers like Royal Mail
