River Island not removing security tag

[goodmum123]

My friend bought a bag for her daughter for Christmas from River Island kids and today she wanted to use it,but my friend noticed that the security tag was still on it.

She decided to take it back today so they could take the tag off and was told this wasn't possible as she doesn't have the receipt. My friend explained that she paid cash for it so it wouldn't even be on a bank statement.

The manager then told my friend that how was she to know my friend hadn't stolen it which she took great offence to.

So up to now, my friend has returned home with the bag and the tag still attached and does not know where she stands legally. Please help if you know what I can advise her to do. Thank you.

I think I'd be inclined to try to pull it out with two pairs of pliers.

She may well be able to remember the time and date she made the purchase and they could check CCTV.

I'm a little surprised the manager didn't suggest this.

Not sure if this is true but I have a friend that works in Next and she says if you try to remove the tag yourself it sprays ink all over the garment!
Please someone tell me if this is true?

You can see the tags that have ink in them; they are see through and the ink is fluorescent.

A decent magnet should do it.

Or pliers,

Or take it to a more reasonable shop and they'd prob do it.

I think I would start by finding their customer services number - presumably on their website. see if they are more sensible than the shop!!

You can see it from their POV but if she persisis & says exactly when she purchased it they may well relent. But you do need to keep receipts!!

Does she have the carrier bag? I worked in retail many years ago, and I'm sure then that a carrier bag served as some form of proof of purchase.

This happened to me and they threatened to arrest me! Fair enough, t was sn entire armful of clothes...they had the disc like ags on them, so i put them flat on the floor and smashed with a hammer.

She needs to look for her receipt. If she can't find it then if she can remember the approximate time they can simply check if that barcode sold at that time. Can she remember what the sales assistant looked like? Did she purchase any other items at the same time? All info will help!

If they can't find the transaction or have CCTV at the till point then she is unlikely to get anywhere with the shop and would be best calling Head Office.

Here's what your friend should do and what I did when a shop refused to exchange an item that didn't work because I had no receipt.

Go to another branch of river island and buy the same bag, making sure the tag is removed. Return the next day with the origional bag, asking for a refund as her daughter doesn't like it or something. Get refund, keep bag no 2.

This happend to me with TKMaxx on 2 separate shops a week apart I bought a baby set as a present. Going to pack I saw the tag was on. Took the receipt and the item back and at the till they realised it was the wrong receipt. I was accused of going in to the shop and taking the item there and then. I asked them to check the cctv to see I had walked in and came straight to the till. The assistant was doing what the manager said. The manager was really rude and accused me of theft. They said they couldn't access the room with the cctv. I produced the cccard slip of the other purchase yet they still wouldn't believe me ( I pointed out I had proof of £80 worth of items purchased in 2 weeks why would I steal a £12.99 baby suit.) The manager after 20 mins of me polite argument her sheer bloody rude agreed just this once to remove it. I took imense pleasure in rumaging through the paper recycling, finding the original receipt and shoving it under the managers nose a few days later. ....Did I get an apology ?nope- just excuses..I can see their side but now I check everything... Oh and I got a nice letter back from TK Maxx and a voucher when I complained.