shop at Old Navy and get free RFID tags.
Dgswaner
Posts: 795
perhaps this is old news, I was helping my daughter remove the tags from her new clothes, and one said "remove before wearing or washing", and was sewn to the inside of a pair of pants, I removed it and looked, I'm pretty sure it's an RFID tag. I don't have a reader so I can't test it. I'm not sure if it's for inventory or loss prevention, but I thought it was quite interesting. I'll post a picture if there is any interest. I think I ruined the tag tho.. I gave it a good yank to get it off.
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DGSwaner
"When in doubt, use C4" - Jamie Hyneman, Myth Buster
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DGSwaner
"When in doubt, use C4" - Jamie Hyneman, Myth Buster
Comments
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DGSwaner
"When in doubt, use C4" - Jamie Hyneman, Myth Buster
Yes, those panels / frames are the antennas for an RFID reader, but for a different frequency than the ones Parallax deals in.
There's a good article on RFID on the Wikipedia. Do a Google search for "wiki rfid".
I always just keep walking and I get "Sir, Sir, Sir" and then they give up and go back.
I also like to tell them "No you cannot see my reciept.". And I just walk out.
In my opinion these to not deter thieves. They are smart enough to remove the tag. All they do is annoy customers that are not doing anything wrong.
Bean.
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There is a fine line between arrogance and confidence. Make sure you don't cross it...
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He added that the stop & check keeps prices down, as pilferage scams·drive up prices for·everyone.·
Store detectives often wait to detain shoplifters just stepping out the door.· Surely, that's not illegal.· Laws vary by state.
If the store detective detains you, he'd better be 100% sure you have stolen something. Otherwise unlawful detention.
These systems are only to make honest customer THINK that the store is controlling stealing. Like I said anyone that is going to risk getting caught for shoplifting is going to remove the tag from the item.
Has ANYONE EVER seen someone stopped who has shoplifted something ? I haven't. But I've seen hundreds of customers stopped and embarrised because the alarm went off.
BTW it IS against the law to remove the tag from the item before you pay for it. And it IS against the law to hide an item before you pay for it (like under your coat, or in your pants). So you don't even have to walk out of the store to get arrested.
P.S. Sorry for taking this thread so far off topic...
Bean.
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There is a fine line between arrogance and confidence. Make sure you don't cross it...
Post Edited (Bean (Hitt Consulting)) : 2/19/2009 3:21:06 AM GMT
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· -- Carl, nn5i@arrl.net
in my walmart, you would be detained by store security perhaps.
we are trained to ask for reciept when big item goes through, or if the alarm goes off..
they are not rfid things though.. I havemanuals from the detectors an stuff.. they are tuned circuts and detect metals or something to trigger.. not actualy rfid.
I Hear on NPR that a competent greeter is the best form for loss prevention that a store can implement... perhaps best means most cost effective. but a criminal walking in to a store, who is greeted with eye contact is far less likely to steal. which I think sounds accurate. However I don't think the 90 year old greeters walmart has qualify.
I destroyed the Old Navy tag trying to get the fabric off of it, trying to find the IC #. but it wasn't like any security tag I've seen on clothes.
is it possible that they aren't on every garment, but say one per case, that way shipping could almost be automated? just a thought. guess I'll have to take a tour of an old navy warehouse to know for sure!
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DGSwaner
"When in doubt, use C4" - Jamie Hyneman, Myth Buster
As one who just does not like the onerous "loss prevention" movement afoot, here is my favorite move:
Go and purchase your item. When at the register, be sure and ask for a gift receipt. Keep this handy, storing your purchase receipt safely where ever that works best for you.
As you leave, hand it to the door nazi, with a polite, "Here, will you hold this for me?" and keep moving. They will take it every time, look down to locate where they are going to apply their mark, while you are headed out the door.
It's then perfect! They have all the information they need, and you suffer almost no loss in time. I figure a few thousand of these might send the right message!
Have fun kids!
If the little alarm deal goes off, I walk. If I'm asked to show my receipt, I surrender the gift receipt, and continue to walk. I've had one person attempt to detain, and interestingly it was a wall mart too! (Almost never shop there for a lot of reasons.) I stated my rights and just politely kept walking, offering to gladly continue the conversation on the way to my car. They stopped, knowing I knew the score. What they are operating with is the correct assumption that most people don't know how that all works.
They need to be able to document your theft from the shelf to exit, or their detention is an illegal one. That burden is there so that it's costly enough to detain that they work hard to get it right. IMHO, that's equitable too. In my life, there have been a coupla mistakes, and I'm happy to stop, discuss it, and move on knowing they were just trying to pay attention. That's different from a door nazi, or unstable automation.
Personally, I believe there are ways to do solid business and this just isn't one of them. A hostile relationship with ones customers isn't exactly the kind of thing that builds loyalty. THIS IS WHY THEY HAVE THE LOSSES THEY DO. It's really that simple! Qualified people at check out, well designed retail space, and good attitude will cut the losses just as much as door nazis will. The real bonus is the customer loyalty. If doing business is pleasant, service is good, and the operation is efficient, that's attractive enough to visit more than the minimum. Win Win.
In my life, I've brought a potential thief to good establishments too. When I shop some where and they know my name, I know theirs, kids, family, etc... it's really easy to just say, "Hey Bob, keep an eye on asile 9. Have a good weekend!". This all cuts both ways.
The problem is that is just a bit more expensive. Sorry, not my problem. I am perfectly happy to pay a small premium though. Doesn't bother me in the least. Either I've got enough to handle my obligations, or I don't, and that's trouble anyway. This renders that percent or few more or less worthless all things considered.
In a member establishment, I gladly show my receipt as those are the terms of entry and to transact everywhere, but the pharmacy where in my state, it's not legal to restrict access. That's a different ball game. The customer relationship is intact, and I'm getting a price concession to do business there. Perfectly equitable, and something I'm not inclined to challenge in the least. They are earning the business and working hard to give me value.
The non-member establishment with the door nazi is simply trying to push the cost of loss prevention onto us (time), and cut costs further by lowering training requirements, thus enabling more turnover and with that worker instability comes lower wage pressure. It's just not cool.
I'm sorry as well!! Just had to comment on Bean's post!
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Post Edited (potatohead) : 2/21/2009 6:38:17 AM GMT
However I've noticed Walmart and most stores don't actually REQUIRE you to have your bag checked as you leave the store. If there's more than 1 or 2 people getting their bags checked, I simply walk around them and exit the store - and I've never been questioned or stopped.