How to remove John Lewis security tag? They told me I have to return to the store or use Royal Mail to return the item and I physically can't do either. They won't provide any other solution.

[Antst]

I made my first trip to a real shop yesterday in over a year because I have been stuck on the sofa with an injury. I bought clothing at John Lewis but there's a security tag still on an item.

John Lewis will only remove the tag in store or receive the item via Royal Mail. However, I can't get back to the store (and even if I weren't injured, it would cost well over £10 to do so) and also can't make it to the post office.

I emailed customer service and provided several other solutions, like returning the item to the nearby Waitrose or using one of several other delivery services. They're flat-out refusing any of them. It's impossible to contact the store. The only way to communicate is through a national customer service number or email.

I don't know what to do at this point. I don't want to lose the money but also don't want to risk trying to remove the tag without knowing what I'm doing. It's one of the kind that contains dye. Ironically, I heard an interview with the John Lewis CEO on the BBC yesterday where she was denying that there has been a decline in customer service.

Has anyone ever managed to remove a John Lewis tag somehow? Thank you for any advice!

The post office will now pick up a parcel from your house for free. It's a default option when you book print at home postage.

I removed a dye tag from a dress DD had bought (not John Lewis) using you tube, a candle and a pair of tweezers.

Failing that, if you have an easily accessible store that uses the same tags they might remove it for you.

God don't risk that, yes Royal Mail do pick up it's brilliant, don't even need a printer

Are there no other shops that sell clothes you could go to if you can get to a Waitrose? Just take your receipt and ask them nicely if they could remove the tag for you? My Tesco Express removed one from a shirt bought at a Tesco superstore.
Especially good if you want to big up their customer service whilst complains about John Lewis.

I had an item of clothing bought in France. Didn't realise till we got home that it had a tag on it! I went into our local Sainsbury's, with the receipt to prove that I had bought the item, and asked if they could remove it. The woman at customer services refused, so I asked to speak to the manager as I couldn't see any reason why they would refuse - he agreed with me, and it was safely removed.

It was surprisingly easy and quite satisfying 😂😂

It was only a cheap H&M dress though so very low risk.

I had this from a pair of Hollister jeans bought during lockdown
I had all the proof of purchases on my phone and took them to my( very local) Sainsbury's where they removed the tags if that helps at all

Have you tried tweeting John Lewis to ask for help?

Try sharing your woe on Twitter and tag JL - sometimes it's the only way to get a response.

You tube it. I have removed a store security tag using a strongish magnet and a pair of pliers.

My local Tkmaxx removed a tag left on by John Lewis. Just took my receipt and they didn't mind at all.

The problem you have is that it is a REALLY COMMON scam to buy an item, then shoplift a second item....

You then take the second one back with the receipt from the first to have the tag removed (or for a refund).

So bear in mind they will not be trying to help you resolve this, as many/most people are scammers!

I had a coat with a tag left in, was going on holiday in the morning so didn't have time to take it back to the shop.

I got it off with a lighter and a knife. Slowly without breaking the glass dye capsule inside.

What’s the issue with getting to a post office? I can see that it might be hard to get back to John Lewis but saying you can’t get to a PO but can to a Waitrose seems odd.

This is your problem, so I can’t blame them really.

Thanks everyone! I'd love to get Royal Mail to do a pick-up but have to be at work during the day where delivery people aren't allowed. I'll try the candle and tweezers as a last resort! Unfortunately, there's aren't any clothing shops I can get to easily.

You need to melt the top where the pin is inserted, the bulgy bit.

Go on YouTube and search "remove security tag with lighter/candle".

You've got to take your time and be patient but it does work. I was really chuffed with myself when it finally came off 😂.

Are there no post offices near you open on a Saturday morning?

You can post the parcel into a parcel box, if you used the online booking service, obviously you do need a printer for that. Otherwise, because it's often your normal postman who picks up the parcels in the collection service, I leave them in the porch and they just take them for me.

@NoSquirrels, I can certainly blame them! I was in the store an hour or so before closing time last night when it was nearly empty. I was wearing a pretty see-through shirt and only carried a wallet (no bag). There was nowhere to hide anything. I'm sure they can look me up on their security cameras! Also, I'm a size L - XL and I think I got the only item in stock that wasn't an S or M!

I only made the trip to the store because I've had so many problems with online John Lewis orders lately. The wrong items have arrived a couple of times, last time there was what looked like blood all over a shirt. Another three of times things arrived dirty. In future I'll be looking for non-John Lewis clothing!

@NoSquirrels, I can't make it to the post office because it's too far away. It's located in a pedestrian-only area so I can't get a taxi to the door and can't walk that far.

Oh haha fair enough!

Just remove it yourself. A pair of piers to grip the little nubbin side then wiggle it till the metal snaps or melt the plastic as advised above.

Can you just leave it for your normal postie to collect?