Security tag setting off alarm

dango

Hi, sorry if this has been asked before. I was wondering if the security tag on a purchase sets off the store alarm, are you entitled to compensation for the embarrassment? Or is this only if a security guard does something? I have heard various different stories about such occurrences ( varying amounts of money given out on the spot etc.) and was wondering about the official standpoint regarding consumer issues. Thanks in advance

Ian Beale

Nope no compo simple mistake take it back to the till with your receipt,however if a security guard tackled you to the ground and you got hurt well that'd be a different story:rolleyes: if the security guard pulled you over though and wanted to talk thats all normal.

Sherifu

Compensation for someone forgetting to take off the tag. It does annoy me when it happens but compensation? Give me a break. :mad: I blame Dudess.

Red Alert

In the shop I worked in they had a clear procedure that the first thing was an apology to the customer and the second thing was to offer to remove the tag for them. The idea behind this is that an honest customer will always come back. A shoplifter is more likely to run or remove the tag anyway.

Sam Vimes

Red Alert wrote: »

In the shop I worked in they had a clear procedure that the first thing was an apology to the customer and the second thing was to offer to remove the tag for them. The idea behind this is that an honest customer will always come back. A shoplifter is more likely to run or remove the tag anyway.

what shop was that? i'm going to rob me loads of stuff using that tactic

Corruptedmorals

In my shop it happens all the time as we have tags but no barriers. I take tags off from clothes bought in other shops of the same chain the whole time. I don't apologise, I'm not the idiot that left it there.

jor el

dango wrote: »

Hi, sorry if this has been asked before. I was wondering if the security tag on a purchase sets off the store alarm, are you entitled to compensation for the embarrassment?

Is this actually a serious question? You're looking for compensation because an alarm went off? This is the height of ridiculousness. What kind of embarrassment could possibly be caused by this? Alarm goes off, everyone looks around confused, you get the tag removed, all is well.

If you're tackled or assaulted in any way by security then that's a different story, but I don't think that's the question here.

Mr. Presentable

My local Tesco, the alarm goes off when people come in who have bought in HMV

Toto Wolfcastle

A few years ago my sister bought a pair of shoes in a shop that had no barriers, which meant she left no problem. Every time she wore them she'd set off the alarm as she left any shop with a barrier, so she just told the security before she left that if they wanted to search her they could before she set it off just to save any hassle. The shop that sold them said there had been a problem with that 'batch'. However they did not offer a replacement or a refund and my sister was too young and naive to ask for one.

She probably got pretty embarrassed when the alarm went off, but not once did it cross her mind to ask for compensation, nor would it now!

The same shop forgot to take the tag off a top I bought and when I returned the next day they apologised profusely and took it off.

It's an inconvenience but not worthy of compensation!

Pataman

Does anybody even notice any more?

Sherifu

janeybabe wrote: »

The shop that sold them said there had been a problem with that 'batch'.

Sounds like a tag in the lining of the shoe or something. Weird. That's a case for a refund for sure.

Toto Wolfcastle

Sherifu wrote: »

Sounds like a tag in the lining of the shoe or something. Weird. That's a case for a refund for sure.

Oh ya, of course, but my sister wasn't that bothered I suppose.

I've noticed that alarms go off more and more in the last few years. More faults or more shoplifters? No one ever does anything about it!

jor el

janeybabe wrote: »

I've noticed that alarms go off more and more in the last few years. More faults or more shoplifters? No one ever does anything about it!

Pretty much a daily occurance I'd say, and it's never a shop lifter, or at least I've never seen it to be. Often, the shop assistants and even security don't bother to look, no one cares.

I've often bought DVDs in Virgin/Xavvi and the tag might not always be deactivated properly so the alarm goes off. I just walk on out, nobody has ever come after me.

dango

jor el wrote: »

Is this actually a serious question? You're looking for compensation because an alarm went off? This is the height of ridiculousness. What kind of embarrassment could possibly be caused by this? Alarm goes off, everyone looks around confused, you get the tag removed, all is well.

If you're tackled or assaulted in any way by security then that's a different story, but I don't think that's the question here.

There was a question mark at the end of it... I'm not looking for compensation i was just wondering about it as i had heard about <generic person> getting <amount> of money and was wondering whether or not it was true. I did also ask about whether or not a security guard being involved would change things so yes that was being asked too. Thanks for your insight.

Stepherunie

Happened me in Ms Selfridge in Cork once I was walking around for ages until they noticed in some other shop and said it to me.

Went back to Ms Selfridge and was given a voucher for 20% off my next purchase with them, though I would have just preferred an apology, the sales assistant was very rude.

Toto Wolfcastle

Stepherunie wrote: »

Happened me in Ms Selfridge in Cork once I was walking around for ages until they noticed in some other shop and said it to me.

Went back to Ms Selfridge and was given a voucher for 20% off my next purchase with them, though I would have just preferred an apology, the sales assistant was very rude.

Certain sales assistant in there is very rude to all customers!

But is was nice of them to offer you the discount.

Ste.phen

Sam Vimes wrote: »

what shop was that? i'm going to rob me loads of stuff using that tactic

How would coming back into the shop help you get away with your stolen goods without them noticing? :P

Ste.phen

nipplenuts wrote: »

My local Tesco, the alarm goes off when people come in who have bought in HMV

This is because the systems most shops use are all compatible. And stupid. Very stupid.

Corruptedmorals

Yup, the black circular tags with the dye in them.

Sam Vimes

Igy wrote: »

How would coming back into the shop help you get away with your stolen goods without them noticing? :P

he said that the policy was to assume that anyone who came back was honest and to apologise, remove the tag and them them go. now if they asked for a receipt....

Victor

dango wrote: »

Hi, sorry if this has been asked before. I was wondering if the security tag on a purchase sets off the store alarm, are you entitled to compensation for the embarrassment? Or is this only if a security guard does something? I have heard various different stories about such occurrences ( varying amounts of money given out on the spot etc.) and was wondering about the official standpoint regarding consumer issues. Thanks in advance

Specificly no. There is case law where a shopkeeper is entitled to ask has a customer paid and the customer had no cause for complaint. It would only be if the shopkeeper said something like "you haven't paid" or "Stop, you haven't paid"

Some shops might give vouchers - but they will come out of the staff's* commission / bonus for not following procedure and removing the tag(s).

* Much of what staff in clothes shops earn is in commission, not basic pay (which is under minimum wage).

Pythia

I was told when I worked in a shop that sold things with tags that if you left one on and the alarms went off when the customer tried to leave that we could be sued.

Corruptedmorals

Victor wrote: »

* Much of what staff in clothes shops earn is in commission, not basic pay (which is under minimum wage).

Only shops springing to mind for commission are Dixons and some Brown Thomas make-up counters. Basic pay for high-street shops is ALWAYS €8.65 or more, though less if you're under 18. Dunnes and Penneys starting pay is €9, Topshop and the rest of Arcadia is €8.65, Boots is €9.11, Karen Millen is €9.30 and M&S is €9.40. Very few left that pay time and a half on a Sunday, Arcadia pay time and a third, Dunnes pay time a half..Brown Thomas pay double.

watna

Corruptedmorals wrote: »

Only shops springing to mind for commission are Dixons and some Brown Thomas make-up counters. Basic pay for high-street shops is ALWAYS €8.65 or more, though less if you're under 18. Dunnes and Penneys starting pay is €9, Topshop and the rest of Arcadia is €8.65, Boots is €9.11, Karen Millen is €9.30 and M&S is €9.40. Very few left that pay time and a half on a Sunday, Arcadia pay time and a third, Dunnes pay time a half..Brown Thomas pay double.

+1 I've worked in a number of high street clothes shops and all paid a little bit above minumum wage. We never got comission. How would that work? If you were on the till for the day and somebody decided to buy something you get some money. That wouldn't work.

The only retail staff I've heard getting comission is cosmetics staff in department stores, as mentioned above, (I worked in cosmetics in house of fraser and BTs). However, that is on top of an hourly wage that is above the minimum.

Cookie_Monster

jor el wrote: »

Is this actually a serious question? You're looking for compensation because an alarm went off? This is the height of ridiculousness. What kind of embarrassment could possibly be caused by this?

+1

Sam Vimes

watna wrote: »

+1 I've worked in a number of high street clothes shops and all paid a little bit above minumum wage. We never got comission. How would that work? If you were on the till for the day and somebody decided to buy something you get some money. That wouldn't work.

i believe the way it works is the staff bring the things up to the counter and the person on the till puts in through in their name.


i worked in a phone shop that had a basic wage that was below minimum wage so it does happen

mikemac

Looking for compo OP? Well yes, if a security guard tackled you to the ground or you got searched in front of hundreds of people well then something may be due.

But just because the alarm went off?:rolleyes:
It's no big deal, get over it.

As an example, the till in Elverys in Galway is right beside the door. So if you queue for the till then you will probably set off the alarm at the door. Poor planning but no cause for compensation

Slice

I was wondering if the security tag on a purchase sets off the store alarm, are you entitled to compensation for the embarrassment

If you were accused of theft as a result then that could be construed as slander which would give you dispensation under defamation laws

dango

Cookie_Monster wrote: »

+1

micmclo wrote: »

Looking for compo OP? Well yes, if a security guard tackled you to the ground or you got searched in front of hundreds of people well then something may be due.

But just because the alarm went off?:rolleyes:
It's no big deal, get over it.

As an example, the till in Elverys in Galway is right beside the door. So if you queue for the till then you will probably set off the alarm at the door. Poor planning but no cause for compensation

Read post #14

Pythia wrote: »

I was told when I worked in a shop that sold things with tags that if you left one on and the alarms went off when the customer tried to leave that we could be sued.

See someone else thought it, i'm not crazy...

Victor wrote: »

Specificly no. There is case law where a shopkeeper is entitled to ask has a customer paid and the customer had no cause for complaint. It would only be if the shopkeeper said something like "you haven't paid" or "Stop, you haven't paid"

Some shops might give vouchers - but they will come out of the staff's* commission / bonus for not following procedure and removing the tag(s).

* Much of what staff in clothes shops earn is in commission, not basic pay (which is under minimum wage).

That's the sort of non-flippant, non-accusatory, well thought out answer i was looking for. Thank you.

Cactus Col

Just out of curiousity .... if you set off the alarm (after you have purchased goods) ... are you obliged to go back in to the store if asked by a security guard?

Or can you just say no, and keep walking?

Sherifu

dango wrote: »

Pythia wrote: »

I was told when I worked in a shop that sold things with tags that if you left one on and the alarms went off when the customer tried to leave that we could be sued.

See someone else thought it, i'm not crazy...

I was thinking when I read that they were told that to make sure they took off the tags. It wouldn't be the first lie told in a retail environment.

dango wrote: »

That's the sort of non-flippant, non-accusatory, well thought out answer i was looking for. Thank you.

Next time, think about it logically. Compo culture isn't nice.

Hitchhiker's Guide to...

Sherifu wrote: »

Compo culture isn't nice.

mehh - poor people taking money off rich people - it has a robin hood-esque justice to it

Sherifu

Roundtower2 wrote: »

mehh - poor people taking money off rich people - it has a robin hood-esque justice to it

Who ends up paying higher insurance premiums? Or who loses their job?

dango

Cactus Col wrote: »

Just out of curiousity .... if you set off the alarm (after you have purchased goods) ... are you obliged to go back in to the store if asked by a security guard?

Or can you just say no, and keep walking?

Something in a similar vein to my question.

Sherifu wrote: »

I was thinking when I read that they were told that to make sure they took off the tags. It wouldn't be the first lie told in a retail environment.

Next time, think about it logically. Compo culture isn't nice.

You've a bad attitude, you're rude, condescending, ignorant and seem to have a chip on your shoulder. If you don't have something helpful to post don't bother.

Sherifu

dango wrote: »

You've a bad attitude, you're rude, condescending, ignorant and seem to have a chip on your shoulder. If you don't have something helpful to post don't bother.

Stop me posting then.

Welcome to a public forum my good friend.

watna

To be fair, Sherifu wasn't actually rude, he just didn't agree with you. There's a difference.

If you think he was out of order, report the post (little hazard sign under your user name) rather than abusing him in a thread. That's rude.

dango

Just because my post count is <1000 i'm suddenly new to the internet... [condescending]

I asked a question in consumer issues about a consumer issue only to be met with "that's absolutely ridiculous" and "compo culture isn't nice" and a humorous off topic quip about job losses and higher insurance premiums. If that isn't someone trying to sh*t on a topic i don't know what is [rude]. None of the above were at all helpful and has tried to detract from the thread. As has been seen there have been a few people with similar questions that have brushed aside. With such responses it's no wonder why people would be afraid to ask questions. I'd appreciate if you would let someone with knowledge from a legal perspective answer as you are talking about something which you don't know about [ignorant].

Sherifu

dango wrote: »

Just because my post count is <1000 i'm suddenly new to the internet... [condescending]



I asked a question in consumer issues about a consumer issue only to be met with "that's absolutely ridiculous" and "compo culture isn't nice" and a humorous off topic quip about job losses and higher insurance premiums. If that isn't someone trying to sh*t on a topic i don't know what is [rude]. None of the above were at all helpful and has tried to detract from the thread. As has been seen there have been a few people with similar questions that have brushed aside. With such responses it's no wonder why people would be afraid to ask questions. I'd appreciate if you would let someone with knowledge from a legal perspective answer as you are talking about something which you don't know about [ignorant].

This has nothing to do with post count. It wasn't an off topic quip, the quote I was referring to is in my post. I didn't do anything to your precious topic but give my opinion. Never be afraid to ask a sensible question. If you were looking for legal advice there is a legal discussion forum. I dealt with your question without resorting to name calling.

aidan_walsh

If you were looking for legal advice there is a legal discussion forum.

Which doesn't allow people giving legal advice.

Sherifu

aidan_walsh wrote: »

Which doesn't allow people giving legal advice.

A legal discussion on it then if that's allowed. I've never been in the forum.

razorblunt

I have heard of people getting compo because of this sort of incident alright, normally a "neighbour is outside the store".

Some places will give store credit if you return having gone home with a tag on an item.

dango

Sherifu wrote: »

This has nothing to do with post count. It wasn't an off topic quip, the quote I was referring to is in my post. I didn't do anything to your precious topic but give my opinion. Never be afraid to ask a sensible question. If you were looking for legal advice there is a legal discussion forum. I dealt with your question without resorting to name calling.

It think it has you wouldn't say that to someone with 10,000 posts.
The "quip" hardly was relevant to anything regarding security tags and alarms alike.
I don't consider this thread my precious or anything else i just wanted to find out some information, not receive some smart jibes about this that or anything else.
I'm not afraid to ask a sensible question. As was stated ^ legal discussion is not to dispense legal advice.
Funnily you didn't deal with my question at all but thank you for your contribution

Victor

Cactus Col wrote: »

Just out of curiousity .... if you set off the alarm (after you have purchased goods) ... are you obliged to go back in to the store if asked by a security guard? Or can you just say no, and keep walking?

A few things can happen.

The security guard may say its OK, be on your way.
The security guard may ask can he check the bag.
The security guard may ask you to return to the till to have the tag cancelled / removed.

If you run, the security guard might have reasonable suspicion that you are stealing something and can arrest you for theft and hand you over to the garda. While the product may have been paid for, you just might be stealing the tag.

Retailers try to do this discretely.

jabaroon

I know someone who bought an item of clothing in one of the big department stores in town. When she got home she realised that they had forgot to remove the security tag from the top.

A couple of days later when she was back in town, she popped back into the shop to get the tag removed, but at the particular moment she couldn't find the receipt for the item and they refused to remove the tag!

They basically said that they have no way of knowing whether or not she swiped the item and as such were erring on the side of caution and assuming she has stole it (my paraphrasing of the conversation of course!).

In the end she did manage to find the receipt at home and returned to get the tag removed, but it would have been an interesting situation if she was unable to find the receipt!!

getoverit

Stepherunie wrote: »

Happened me in Ms Selfridge in Cork once I was walking around for ages until they noticed in some other shop and said it to me.

Went back to Ms Selfridge and was given a voucher for 20% off my next purchase with them, though I would have just preferred an apology, the sales assistant was very rude.

The sales assistant had every right to be rude to you. You would have set off the alarm leaving miss selfridge when you originally purchased the top, and you were too stupid too walk back in and check if everything was ok. I work in retail and never apologise to people like you, its your fault the tag was left on and you did not walk back in when the alarm went off. YOU DO NOT DESERVE AN APOLOGY! Get over it!!

getoverit

jabaroon wrote: »

I know someone who bought an item of clothing in one of the big department stores in town. When she got home she realised that they had forgot to remove the security tag from the top.

A couple of days later when she was back in town, she popped back into the shop to get the tag removed, but at the particular moment she couldn't find the receipt for the item and they refused to remove the tag!

They basically said that they have no way of knowing whether or not she swiped the item and as such were erring on the side of caution and assuming she has stole it (my paraphrasing of the conversation of course!).

In the end she did manage to find the receipt at home and returned to get the tag removed, but it would have been an interesting situation if she was unable to find the receipt!!

Once again, another case were some dumbass didnt return to the store UPON LEAVING, when the alarm would DEFINETLY HAVE BEEN TRIGGERD!! So many idiots walk out of the shop i work in every day, triggering the alarm, they stop and look back in the door, shrug their shoulders and then walk off. I have no sympathy for them whatsoever, come back in the next day with your reciept and i will remove the bloody tag, but you will not get an apology!

dudara

getoverit Please do not drag up old threads, and secondly, please try to be some way polite to other posters.

I've noticed previous posts of yours have not been particularly helpful. Please take the time to read the charter for this forum.

dudara

getoverit

dango wrote: »

Just because my post count is <1000 i'm suddenly new to the internet... [condescending]

I asked a question in consumer issues about a consumer issue only to be met with "that's absolutely ridiculous" and "compo culture isn't nice" and a humorous off topic quip about job losses and higher insurance premiums. If that isn't someone trying to sh*t on a topic i don't know what is [rude]. None of the above were at all helpful and has tried to detract from the thread. As has been seen there have been a few people with similar questions that have brushed aside. With such responses it's no wonder why people would be afraid to ask questions. I'd appreciate if you would let someone with knowledge from a legal perspective answer as you are talking about something which you don't know about [ignorant].

You just would not understand, i bet you dont work in retail? Because to the people who do, your question sounds pathetic, some people are so sad nowadays, just looking to pick a fight in retail to try and get somthing free.

getoverit

dudara wrote: »

getoverit Please do not drag up old threads, and secondly, please try to be some way polite to other posters.

I've noticed previous posts of yours have not been particularly helpful. Please take the time to read the charter for this forum.

dudara

oh sorry, my bad

lindtee

On the first day of the winter sales in Cork, I was going from shop to shop with my purchases. The alarm went off I'd say in half the shops I entered and exited. No idea what caused it....the staff didn't seem to take any notice in any shop. When I went into zavvii, I noticed that every second person who came into there, with shopping bags, were setting off the alarms too....weird..(they'd look a bit bewildered and look around sheepishly as I did) But what would cause all the alarms to go off?(my son was well embarrassed btw-he thought I was robbing stuff from loads of shops:eek::eek:)

tbh

getoverit wrote: »

Once again, another case were some dumbass didnt return to the store UPON LEAVING, when the alarm would DEFINETLY HAVE BEEN TRIGGERD!! So many idiots walk out of the shop i work in every day, triggering the alarm, they stop and look back in the door, shrug their shoulders and then walk off. I have no sympathy for them whatsoever, come back in the next day with your reciept and i will remove the bloody tag, but you will not get an apology!

have you ever thought about getting a job you liked?