to expect Clarks to take security tags off shoes?

[NeatFreak]

We went to a Clarks shop 40 miles away today and bought dh new shoes. Got home and found they had left the security tag on . No idea why the alarm didn't go off when we left the shop.

There is a Clarks about 5 miles away but has only pay and display parking so I'd have to pay to park... and I can't make it there until next weekend so dh can't wear his lovely new shiny shoes until next week!

Rant over- is there any point in complaining to Clarks or should I just go in and ask them to remove the tag?

It's just an oversight, but it is annoying

Yanbu, but you would be unreasonable to complain I'm afraid.
This happened to us with a DVD, couldn't open it. Took it back and explained what had happened, the supervisor took the tag off and asked who had served us, we were a bit vague, not wanting to get anyone into trouble.
It's probably a new member of staff, they might have hired Christmas Temps or something. Take them back, mention it, but don't make a fuss. They will probably remind the staff.

I'm not livid or anything, just mildly irritated! Its just frustrating that dh bought them to wear to work because his others split and it will no doubt rain this week.

It's not a huge issue but pretty annoying.

(Off to google to see if there is any way I can remove it at home...)

It's a mistake NF, not something done deliberately. I agree, it's annoying, but you would be rather unreasonable to complain.

YANBU, however, to expect them to take the security tags off.

Can you park a bit further away to avoid paying?

what kind is it? if ink don't try, if its one with a metal loop just use sharp pliers (i am not a shoplifter, i worked in shop for years!)

I ruined a top trying to remove a tag with inappropriate tools (no patience)

It's not an ink one, I might have a tentative try at removing it.

The only Clarks nearby is in the centre of town and there is nowhere to park without paying nearby. It's not a lot of money but I wouldn't be paying it if I didn't have to return the shoes!

none of the clarks round here put security tags in shoes.
where do you live? dpo you have a lot of shoe thefts in the area? lol

can understand why you're so annoyed.

I've never seen them in Clarks either- this was an outlet village but I won't be going there again for a few months. I hope that doesn't mean that local branches don't use the tags and can't remove it for me. Maybe I should email or phone first to check...

Oh and don't forget your receipt.

i have to be honest, i used to work for clarks and at the time none of the shoes were tagged, which meant the shop had no detagger - this could be a problem. Do you have other shops close by that use security tags (more likely clothes shops)?
most places will do it for you if you have a receipt and don't look too much like a shoplifter!

Neat - phone them up, unless things have changed - when I worked in retail (not at clarks), if we left a security tag on, we had to go out in a taxi with a large megnetic device to remove the tag at the customer's house.

If it happened more than once, possibly twice, we had to pay out of out of our own pocket.

Call them, they might have a solution.

40 miles is a long way to go at your own time and expense, hope you get it sorted. Perhaps they can send someone from the closer branch to remove the tag? Hope you get it sorted

maybe suggest if there is nowhere local to remove tags they should cover postage costs or at least getting them back 2 u. p&p may be cheaper than petrol?

Thanks. I've emailed customer services and will ring the local store tomorrow if I get a chance. Dh doesn't mind but if I couldn't wear my new shiny shoes I'd be deeply upset!

Everyone makes mistakes.

OP - I'm sure that was annoying, but hope you get it sorted.

Last week DH was in TKMaxx trying on some jeans. The front of the security tag was through the jeans and DH didn't really pay attention to it. So he put jeans on, the back of security tag was missing and he scraped all the way down his leg.

He said to the changing room attendant who looked at him, looked at the jeans and shrugged.

DH wasn't so annoyed about the scraped leg as he's a grown man and can cope. But the way the assistant was so non-plussed annoyed him.

Did you email to complain? Or just to ask what to do? I think there's a difference and I really hope you haven't got anyone in trouble for a genuine mistake. I get why you're bothered about this, but mistakes happen sometimes.

This has happened to me a few times. I once worked my way through one of the wire (non-ink) ones with a tin opener. It was utterly horrible and took ages but worked in the end -- I did it because it was a present I was giving someone that evening, but it's not to be undertaken lightly.

I didn't email to complain, I just asked what the best way was to sort it out. I didn't say what store or when, just general details.

For those of you who kindly offered advice on this- after several days of emails passing backwards and forwards Clarks have (kind of) resolved the issue.
Only outlet stores can remove the tag so I have to take it back there. They have (grudgingly) given me two options:

1. post the shoes back to head office (at my expense) and they will refund me
2. accept a £15 voucher goodwill gesture towards petrol and parking to travel the 80 miles to remove the tag- they will then refund the cost of the shoes and resell them to me minus the voucher.

Either way I am going to be out of pocket- I asked if there was some way of sending the shoes to the outlet store, they remove the tag and return to me but apparently this is not feasible so I have accepted the voucher option even though we won't be able to get there for several weeks.

So to anyone shopping at Cllarks outlets- check the security tag!!!