Magnetic security tag left on my new(ish) purchase - how on earth to remove??

[MistergodthisisSal]

I bought a M&S top, and somehow the security tag was left on. I can't get it off - any ideas?

Since I've thrown the bag, receipt etc, I'm too embarrassed to go back to them and explain in case they think I've stolen it! (Honestly, I didn't )

I'm not quite sure how I got through security, because any other time it was forgotten the alarm goes off as you leave the store and then they remove it.

Please help, I'd quite like it if I could actually wear it! Thanks.

I'm interested too, DP has a coat - not stolen! - with a tag on...

Phone them up and explain, I'm sure they'll be happy to sort it out for you. It's bound to have happened before.

This happened to me the other day with a pair of children's tights from H&M. I also couldn't find the receipt, but they believed me!

There is a way to do it, something to o with really strong magnets. Will google.

You have to take it back, it will wreck the garment if you try to get it off. Exactly the same thing happened to me in Boots with some baby clothes, like you I don't understand how I got out without the alarm going off!

I took them back and they were absolutely fine about it. Sadly, probably if you look nice and middle-class and respectable, they're less likely to challenge you.

Did you pay by card? If so, they can check that if there's any query.

Ta da

And a visual aid

Just go into M and S and explain and they'll do it for you.

I can't quite believe that you'd cut the tags off and throw away receipt before getting security tag removed. (But then I'm anal about keeping receipts and it amazes me how many people just chuck em so quickly)

Good luck, you'll set the alarms off when you go in!!!

5 - that link is sooo for shoplifters innit?!

thanks

Oh wow, thanks for the quick replies everyone!

Well, at least it's a relief to hear it's quite common, so I might not look like a (really stupid) thief after all...

Good to hear the success story, Vesela.

Thank you so much, 5inthehouses, that's great. I am going to wait until dh is home to see if he'll do that for me, else I'll just take it back to the store.

Tinierclanger, yes, I paid by card, so hopefully that'll be fine then.

WowOoo, I know. In my defense, it was bought just before I went on holiday, and everything was a bit chaotic...

LowlevelWhingeing, thought the same! I guess you do get a lot of people doing this "professionally".

LLW, the video is very questionable.

Now, has anyone ever had a problem with those silly red tags on dvd's? Whenever I buy one from Tesco, they always forget to take them out. I've gone home a few times and had to return for them to be taken out.

Just take it back to the shop and they will do it.

This happened to me with a maternity swim suit form Boots...Unfortunately I didnt realise until I put it on in the changing room at the pool so jaut had to swim with it stuck to my cossie...i looked like a right shoplifting loon!!

wear it, just never into m&s

(actually that won't work cos it'll prolly set off alarms elsewhere too. i bought some boots from tkmaxx that set off the alarm in topshop, the security guy explained they sometimes have tags inside the heel. took them back to tkmaxx and they said there weren't any more tags but they're going out boots not shopping ones so hopefully won't be an issue...)

That's quite funny, thehairybabysmum!

Stakethroughtheheartofgol, I did even consider just wearing it inside!

However, two problems:

Firstly, I don't actually have enough clothes to have "inside" and "outside" sets (well, excluding underwear, but a bit cold to wear outside at the moment anyway...),

and secondly, I'd have a bruise from the damn thing!

Odd re your boots! I understand the point of these and everything, but they can sure be annoying at times.