New alarm system works.

[Arcus]

I used to have a wallet that would set those things off every time I went through them. I was confused because I couldn't find the security tag in it. After a few months of wear, I found a small rip in the lining and discovered that they had sewn it into the wallet. You couldn't remove it without cutting the wallet apart.

[TheSHAD0W]

Beware, one trick some thieves have used is to spread a few adhesive-backed stickers around in the parking lot and let people track them in, resulting in a lot of false alarms.

[Sparklyturtle]

I've been to a few places that had it but ignored it because it was over-sensitive. Back when Circuit City was still around, I went in looking for something and left without buying anything, and the alarm went off anyway.

I guess it got to the point where this was happening all the time, because another time I left with some items that I had paid for, and it went off again. This time they guy barely even looked at me and just said, "It's probably your phone!" and waved me on.

Had this happen at a grocery store. I had $100+ dollars worth of groceries. The clerk asked me, "Did you buy a steak?" I had, and showed him the receipt. He told me that steaks had been setting the alarm off all day.

[Dragon_Dreamer]

One thing I wish I'd done when Staples got rid of me was to take one of those stickers and stick it on the base of the door sensor. Sadly, I wasn't given the chance. :P

[Rayndel]

When I worked for the pet store I had a couple of ladies come in and return stolen stuff (don't get me started on that part, it's a good chunk of the reason I had a breakdown and quit). One had gone to the bathroom and the other was hanging out in one of the cat aisles. So I went to face the dog aisle across from her. Her friend joined her and they kept quietly talking to each other and watching me. They moved over an aisle, so did I.

They got mad and left and I was left with this parting shot, "You're bad at this!"

No, sweetie, I'm pretty sure getting you out of my hair without saying anything means I'm good at this.

[EricKei]

I am not a thief, so wouldn't have thought about this, but some of the dumbest criminals out there might not have thought of it as well.

I wouldn't worry. There is an entire subreddit dedicated to this anyway. Naturally, store security personell at many places keep a close eye on it in order to spot new trends and methodology to watch out for

[SailorMan]

When I was a student at LSU, I once went to the library to study. I'd brought along some books that I'd bought at Schoenhof's Foreign Books, in Boston. I was unaware that there were still some security strips in the books I'd bought, and was surprised when I set-off the alarm, as I was leaving.

The bar that you push-open as you're leaving suddenly locks into place when the alarm is set off; I knocked the wind out of myself as my body continued moving forward, and tried to 'fold in two' at bar level, which is about stomach height.

A thorough examination showed that I wasn't vamoosing with library property.

[Mental_Mouse]

That sort of RFID security gate has been a tough problem for a long time -- they're usually working near the limits of detection for whatever RF band they're in, which AIUI is furthermore a mixed-use band so the newest gadgets tend to step on it. And of course, security is a popular target for hucksters, where it's difficult to enforce even basic standards.

[Silent-Hunter]

My PDA used to set those alarms off sometimes. I haven't had it happen with any of the phones I've had yet.

[MadMike]

At least you HAVE security. We got nothin'.

I've been to a few places that had it but ignored it because it was over-sensitive. Back when Circuit City was still around, I went in looking for something and left without buying anything, and the alarm went off anyway.

I guess it got to the point where this was happening all the time, because another time I left with some items that I had paid for, and it went off again. This time they guy barely even looked at me and just said, "It's probably your phone!" and waved me on.

[Dave in MD]

With some people I will just straight stare at them. THey usually get the hint and leave. Sometimes with a threat to "call their lawyer".

When they say that I'm thinking, "honey the guy you call to get you off that possession charge isn't the right kind of lawyer."

[Rosco the Iroc]

Oh yea someone looks shady, you send someone to "front and face" that isle and what ever isle they move to you need to now cycle count, and price check or read the small print on the back.
They get the idea they need to move along.

[Mental_Mouse]

While I also love the "aggressive customer service" part, I wonder if the bolded part should be deleted. I am not a thief, so wouldn't have thought about this, but some of the dumbest criminals out there might not have thought of it as well.

If they're that dumb, I doubt they're reading here for advice. And it's an ancient trick anyway....

[Slave to the Phone]

Other trick is to have a security tag on you when you come in, setting off the alarm. This way when you leave with your stolen merch and the alarm goes off you can say it went off when I came in.
Our solution to that is, if you set off the alarm coming in you will have eyes on you till you leave. I like to call it "aggressive customer service".

While I also love the "aggressive customer service" part, I wonder if the bolded part should be deleted. I am not a thief, so wouldn't have thought about this, but some of the dumbest criminals out there might not have thought of it as well.

Unless, of course, you want to encourage folks to hold up their "I am going to steal" sign as they walk in.

[MoonCat]

"aggressive customer service".

I love it