Everyone who has bought shelf pull or even customer returned apparel will recall receiving clothing with the dreaded “Security Tags” attached. I am talking about the tags placed on the clothing at the retail store in an attempt to curb retail theft. Retailers will place tags all or higher priced items with the presumption that in store shoplifting will decrease.
If you have purchased Shelf Pull clothing with the intent to resell in your apparel store or on ebay, chances are you have struggled with security tags. If you are buying shelf pull apparel buy the pallet I recommend purchasing the tools to actually remove the tags safely. If you cannot remove the tags from the apparel you will not be able to resell the tagged item, thereby increasing your cost per piece. There goes your profit!
There are several varieties of tags from the plain sensormatic to the all out dye tags. Dye tags cannot be removed (or so they say) without a special tool. I did find some entertaining Youtube videos, which offered some “How to” advice. Practice makes perfect, so experiment around if you are not going to purchase the actual tag removers.
Here are a couple of videos showing the removal of the “Dreaded” security Tags. The first video shows the process for a manual ink dye tag removal that with practice, might actually work. The second video shows sensormatic tag removal with an electronic machine known as a AMD3050. The AMD3050 electronic remover is expensive, but if you are buying shelf pull apparel by the pallet and truckload it is well worth the $300-$400 price tag. You can also find this remover on ebay used from time to time.
Here are the two most popular tags you will find when you purchase shelf pull apparel. The Super Tag by far is the most used today. The Gator tag is considered ‘Old School’, but still in use. Both tags are secured to clothing and contain sensors that Alert the store when one is passed through a security zone at all store exits.
Here are two tag removers that will simplify the chore of removing the two forms of tags shown above. Both the MK125 and Gator tag remover can be found on ebay. Expect to pay at least $50 - $150 for the tool. In the long run you will make up for the expense of buying the removers as without it…that $350 leather jacket you just found in the pallet will be unsalable!
