You have just returned from a shopping trip and can’t wait to go out in your latest dress tonight. But as I spin around in the mirror like Cinderella, my heart suddenly sinks. There you can see it hanging from your shoulder. It’s an unsightly plastic security tag.
Shoppers come across this pickle more often than you might think. Cashiers at busy stores can deactivate clothing security tags without cutting them, making it very likely that shoppers will leave the store and go home without noticing the error.
Online retailers can make similar mistakes. In their rush to meet deadlines, online stores may not notice security tags on clothing before shipping.
But even if the tag gets there, you’re probably frustrated. However, resist the urge to rip the security tag off your clothing or slam it with a heavy object. Similarly, you should probably ignore Internet guides that suggest all sorts of violent release tactics, from stabbing the tag with a screwdriver to setting it on fire (where the goal is to destroy clothing and injure yourself in the process). ).
Instead, approach the problem of removing security tags with a little knowledge, skill, and patience. Take a deep breath and dive in.
A quick note about retail theft: It probably goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway. Shoplifting is a crime and should not be done. None of these methods are intended to be used on clothing that has not yet been purchased.
Different types of security tags and how they work
Before you remove the tag, you need to know exactly what type of clothing security tag you are dealing with. There are several different types of security tags for different types of products.
Here we’ll focus on the most common types of security tags commonly found in major clothing retailers.
EAS Clothing Security Tag
When you hear “clothing security tags,” you probably think of electronic article surveillance (EAS) clothing security tags. EAS tags use radio or acoustomagnetic frequencies to communicate with an antenna attached to the alarm. Simply put, an EAS tag is a small plastic button attached to a product that beeps with a detector located by the door.
ink security tag
Ink security tags are the most common clothing security tags in a group called “denial of benefit” tags. These are security tags designed to destroy if the item they are attached to is tampered with.
If you try to break or force an ink security tag, the capsule inside will rupture, releasing an indelible dye that can permanently stain clothing (or even human skin). . Some ink security tags may have a warning, such as “tampering with this tag will release ink.” However, not everything is so obvious and you can’t always tell an ink security tag just by looking at it. It’s also worth noting that some clothing security tags combine the functionality of ink security tags and EAS tags.
When in doubt, operate under the assumption that you are using a small indelible ink bomb. That means wearing gloves and staying away from anything that could be permanently smeared with ink (seriously, you should probably do this outdoors).
fake security tag
Some tags are simply designed to look like clothing security tags, but do not contain any hardware to set off a store alarm or cause an ink-like explosion. yeah. These exist solely as a visual deterrent to shoplifters. Unfortunately, you probably won’t know what’s inside the tag, so you’ll have to interact with it as if you were making a real transaction.
How to remove security tags from clothes at home
The ideal way to remove security tags is also the most obvious. Please take the gift back to the store and explain the situation. Our employees are best equipped to remove security tags without damaging items. Your best bet is to return to the store where you purchased the item with your receipt.
However, there may be reasons why this is not the best approach for you. For example, if you purchased an item online, you may not want to go through the long process of returning it. You may have lost your receipt. In that case, you run the risk of the clerk working at the returns counter becoming suspicious of your intentions. Or maybe the store is simply far away (or you bought it while traveling) and you don’t have time to drive (or fly) back to the store.
So let’s take a look at some other options…
1. Contact an expert
The second best way to remove security tags without damaging your clothing is to seek the help of an expert in the textile field. Try contacting a local tailor or seamstress and explaining your predicament. Preferably, they’ll agree to help you remove the security tag to minimize the chance of punctures or ink stains on your clothing.
2. Use a security tag remover magnet
Many clothing security tags can be removed using magnets, and we’re not talking about the flimsy magnet that barely sticks to your refrigerator door. What you need is a magnet as large and strong as possible.
To remove clothing security tags, you will need a rare earth magnet, similar to the magnets found in computer hard drives. These super-powerful magnets are also easy to find on Amazon, like Neosmuk’s Fishing Magnet ($9.99), which has 300 pounds of suction power.
To begin removing your security tag, place the security tag remover magnet on a table or other flat surface. Next, touch the base of the tag to the magnet. When you hear a click, start wiggling the other side of the tag until the pin loosens.
Always use caution when using strong security tag remover magnets. Getting caught between a magnet and the object it attracts can cause serious injury to any part of the body.
3. Home Hacks
If you can’t or don’t want to invest in any of the above methods, a somewhat risky option is to use one of the many internet “hacks” to remove clothing security tags in a more powerful way. You can take a chance.
These methods run a much higher risk of damaging your clothes by tearing them or smearing them with ink. However, it has the undeniable advantage of making use of everyday items you already have around the house.
rubber band method
One of the most popular online hacks for removing security tags requires only a large, thick rubber band. Simply wrap the rubber band around the pin (between the fabric and one side of the tag). Continue wrapping the band over and over until the locking mechanism releases due to the elastic force of the band. If one band doesn’t release, try twisting it back and forth a bit or using a second elastic band.
Here’s a video of this hack in action:
of two-pronged method
Another common way to pry open a security tag is with something everyone has around the house: a fork. Similar to the rubber band method, insert the fork firmly between the fabric and the garment’s security tag. Now take the second fork and wedge it in the opposite direction so it’s back to back. Then, gently pry and wiggle the fork until both sides of the tag come off.
Freezing method
You may have seen advice online that you can freeze ink security tags to solidify the liquid ink inside and prevent it from spilling everywhere.
Unfortunately, your freezer may not be cold enough to reach the freezing point of the ink in your clothing security tag. Unless you have access to frozen nitrogen, we recommend wrapping the ink security tag securely in a plastic bag (even if it’s still incomplete) before forcing it apart.
The post Exactly How to (Legally) Delete a Security Tag When Your Store Forgets appeared first on RetailMeNot’s The Real Deal.
Source: The Real Deal by RetailMeNot – www.retailmenot.com
