to bin DD's present

[CanStopWillStop]

A friend gave DD a gift for her birthday yesterday. It's a Christmas dress. Not particularly keen on it tbh, but I always appreciate any gifts for my kids and will almost always take a picture of the kids in the outfit, or bring the kids to see said friend wearing their gifted outfit.

The issue I have is the dress has a huge security tag on it. I don't believe my friend would have stolen it, but not sure what to do.

The tag is in a very obvious/uncomfortable place so DD can't wear it or even try it on really. I don't think I can donate a dress which has a security tag, and I feel awkward telling my friend as I don't want her to try to fix the situation by taking it back etc. It also feels wasteful to bin it, but not sure what to do without a receipt or asking for one. I've never taken a security tag off an item before, wouldn't even know where to start or if it's ethical.

Halp lol.

I've had this with Next as well, twice. Ended up taking it to store and the shop assistant was looking at me like I'd told her Iived on the moon when I asked her to remove the tag.

Thankyou, Webuiltthis, Friend may have nicked it. I see OP’s dilemma now.

Are these tags not fitted with an RFID chip or similar that (supposedly) sets off an alarm when somebody tries to pilfer the item? Or is the idea just that an intact tag on an item will make it very difficult/impossible to benefit from your stolen goods?

Considering that plenty of people on here - who I'm sure are honest and not shoplifters - know how to remove the tag yourself at home, I highly doubt that the regular criminal fraternity wouldn't also be aware of this. What is the point of them, then?

This is not about how get the tag off. If you wanted to get that tag off without inconveniencing your friend, you'd tell her you need to nip back and get the tag removed and ask her for the receipt.

This is about you thinking your friend has possibly stolen the dress. Which is a whole different issue.

Why do people post this stuff?

Ideally, all pliers and forks in every shop that sells them should have these tags on - to thwart the criminal cycle right at the outset

@brainexplorer kills two birds with one stone - she can actually exchange it for something she'd like. Otherwise she goes to all that effort just to have a dress she doesn't want.

🤣

Why do people post this stuff?

What stuff? This is an online discussion/chat forum that covers all manner of topics from the life-changing to the mundane; it's not a UN summit on ensuring peace and prosperity for all humankind.

It might have ink inside. You need to Google which type of tag it is. If it has ink, don't cut it, you need a big magnet.

Or, if it has ink, cut it off and if ink goes all over dress then you can comfortably bin it. Maybe wear rubber gloves and old clothes - I don’t know - how much ink comes out?

Or, if it has ink, cut it off and if ink goes all over dress then you can comfortably bin it.

Or sell it on Etsy as a 'unique batik-style Christmas fusion' creation.

I would just message her and say it, it’s so frequent for overwhelmed staff especially in busy season.
If on the chance she did shoplift, would your daughter’s present really have been the first attempt and wouldn’t she largely be aware of the security magnets ?
Just my thinking though, I’ve had it happen several times and you either have the receipt or usually (well, all times for me, because my receipts were long gone! they can find the payment with the individual product code)

Just tell her. If it's stolen then you don't get the dress back and problem solved.
If it's not, take the dress with good grace. Do photo in it, then pass it on next year when she's outgrown it. It's not hard work. We all get given stuff not to our own taste sometimes.

Another just tell her the dress has a tag.

You can ask if she can take it back to get it removed or give you the receipt so you can exchange

As PP says it can easily be removed. Google how to get it off with a lighter. Works like a dream.

Google how to get it off with a lighter. Works like a dream.

Do you mean by using the body/shape of the lighter or with actual fire? Is that wise right next to fabric?!

We've taken off accidental tags with strong magnets before.

I have tried to take one back a pair of leggings and they were basically confiscated immediately as I didn't have the receipt anymore... (Tesco).

Id ask the friend if she still had the receipt as you need to take it to the shop to get them to take the tag off.

If she can't find it she's stolen the dress I'd probably take it back to the shop and hang it back up on the rack. I wouldn't be interested in putting my DCs in stolen clothes; I don't like bad karma.

Or possibly take the tag off myself using methods suggested upthread and then donate it to a charity shop to rebalance the karma.

Why wouldn't you just tell the friend? I've had security tags left on clothes I've bought, it happens quite often so surely she could take it back to the shop to get it removed?

Love your answer, spot on. 😀

I'd tell the friend and her her to sort it. If she stole it maybe it'll mean she thinks twice in future. If she didn't, at least you have a dress you can wear once then donate. Throwing a good dress in the bin is so wasteful.

Or show friend the problem and ask for the receipt so you can fix it yourself.

I've removed security tags when left on with pliers. Tesco is 45 minutes drive and I'm not spending petrol money on going up and down.

Just tell her? Total non problem

You can remove it with a serrated knife. Very easy.