That happened to me once too... but thankfully it wasn't such a long trip to take them back to the store.

A couple months ago I filled some prescriptions at a compounding pharmacy about half an hour from my house. Got the bag home and one of the bottles was empty. They had forgot to put the pills in there. I always check the bottles now before I pull out of the parking lot.

Is there a store closer that has the security tab remover? I'd think most stores would do it for you.

I hate when that happens and ALSO when returning, you set off the sensors when you go in the door.

"I'd think most stores would do it for you."

Uh, no. I don't think they would. There are more than one type of security system and they don't interchange. But more likely stores won't do this because it would defeat the purpose if shoplifters could just go to another store to have the device removed.

Toni_ne, I would speak up and complain loudly how this has inconvenienced you and ask to be compensated. Maybe they could give you a gift certificate if you ever intend on shopping there again and not boycott the place.

This has happened to me more than once and you can believe I made a big stink about it. Twice the problem was discovered before I left the mall because the device set off the alarm when I was entering another store and they insisted upon a search of my bags, purse, and person. There is no excuse for this especially since it happens so frequently.

Getting home and finding that one has purchased a useless item, again no excuse. They owe you.

A friend and I were shopping in a mall many miles away from home. She bought a blazer, and since we were going to a luncheon a little later, she decided to just wear it. She paid for it, and we left the store. No alarms went off. Later she realized the tag was still on it and we went back, through the same door, and still no alarm.

The clerk removed the tag; didn't seem to be concerned about it.

Toni, If I were you I would email Pennys and ask them what they suggest you do about it. You should not have to lose the price of the jeans, plus I think they would like to know when these things happen.

Sue

A few years ago my mom had the white plastic tag still attached to a blazer. The store sent someone out to her home to remove it!

It was funny, while in WM yesterday, a girl in her late teens came through the door and the alarms went off. One lady in Customer Care commented to her colleague that she probably won't have the receipt.

Sure enough the young girl went to the desk and wanted to return 3 identical DVD sets. Asked for the receipt and she didn't have one. The refused to refund her money without a receipt.

Good going on the clerks. She may have shoplifted them (since the bells went off when she was entering the store), and would have ended up with cash in her pocket.

I'd suggest you calling and speaking to a supervisor or manager and asking if you can mail the jeans to them to their attention. I'd then ask if they could/would reimburse you for the cost of 'your' postage, maybe in the form of a gift card. If they agreed to it, I'd then mail the jeans with Delivery Confirmation on the box. Postage can be preprinted on line (with free Delivery Confirmation) and in most cases you can arrange for your carrier to pick the box up. It need not be in any special sort of box, like those you get from the PO.

Sue

Here is a link that might be useful: USPS print postage and schedule pick-up.

When I worked for the Non-Profit Thrift Store I had Community Service Workers in the Warehouse. We got a Donation of a bunch of jeans with the tags on them. One of the young girls volunteered to remove the tags. I didn't ask her how she knew how to do it. LOL! She put the tag in a vise grip and took a nail and broke the little glass which released the tag.

A few years ago I was invited to an out of town wedding. I ran out at the last minute to buy a dress and then headed 500 miles north for the wedding. As I'm getting dressed for the wedding the next day (with only moments to spare), I discover the ink tag in a place that cannot be hid. I was furious and had to wear a pair of slacks and top to the wedding. I took it back to the store about a month after I got home from the wedding to return it since I would probably never wear it again (nor did I get a chance to wear it to the wedding). Because I waited more than 30 days to return it, they would remove the tag but would not take the dress back even for store credit. Ten years later it still hangs in my closet and has never been worn.

This happpened to me once. I actually had bought a new shirt and packed for a trip. When I got there I found the ink security tag. I luckily still had the receipt in my purse and went to a local (same brand) store.
Do not try to force it apart on your own.... I was told the ink is permanent.
If you have a receipt, you might try a local store to see if they would have a compatible machine to remove it.

160 miles...I would insist on compensation.

As long as you have a receipt for the merchandise any JC penney store will remove the tag. I've done it before.

:0)

thanks for the stories. Sounds like we have all learned to precheck our clothes before we need to put them on.

I'm going to bring the jeansback sometime soon and yes I will ask for some compensation, even if I feel weird doing so. I doubt our town has a place that has ink tags and the one place that possibly does, I'm concerned it would be a tag remover from different company which might cause the tag to spill anyway. I don't have the best of luck, so it's going back to Penny's. There is a reciept and it's ready to go!
I wish I could send a couple of you in my place, I would make double what they usually give for a mess up like this. lol

I remember once, back to school shopping, I had bought a pair or package of socks. When I got it home, there it was, the security device. I was tired and didn't want to go back to the store. So I took it downstairs to my husband's workshop, set it on a table and whacked it with a big hammer. It shattered and I was very proud of myself. No hidden package of ink, just a few pieces of plastic. I'd suggest OP try my method. Hope it works for you. Or hang on to the item and receipt and take it back next time you go there.

Toni, have you googled for info on how to get it off safely? I've heard of people doing it with no ink exploding or leaking.

Frankly, I'd try it if calling them doesn't do any good. If ink leaks out, take them back to Penneys and make them refund your money, it was THEIR mistake.

I've had it happen, too, on an expensive sports coat for Woody. I was NOT happy (50 mile round trip) and questioned why I didn't beep when leaving but did upon reentry. They had no good explanations for me.

I haven't shopped in so long, I had no idea what you are talking about. I'm going to have to go in a store and see that.

Like Jannie I took a bra with the security device attached out onto the concrete driveway and hit it with a hammer. It shattered without ink leaking or other incident. I would not have cared if ink had come out. It saved me a 30 mile trip.

I used to work at the switchboard at JCP in CA. We sometimes had to send managers to people's homes to remove those ink tags. The ink tags don't cause alarms to go off.
Last year I bought some teeth whitening strips at Wally World and the alarm went off as I exited. Right away a store employee asked if I bought whitening strips. Apparently they get stolen a lot because they are expensive. The employee was very apologetic.

A mall clothing store was going out of business, and I bought my DD a long black skirt to wear in her orchestra performances. She wore that skirt once or twice a year. A year later we find a security device bolted to an inside seam even though she had worn the skirt a few times. Yes, she is slender. Someone told me to find a store that had that shape security device. I eventually found one store in town. They removed it for me when I explained that the store was no longer in business.

Mine must have been dual-duty, it had ink and it beeped when I went back into the store. I was too chicken to try to take it off myself, then. Now, I'm older and meaner. lol

How about emailing JCP, to see what solution they offer?

If it's less than satisfactory, you could send a rejoinder/counter offer suggesting that you're contemplating charging them for gas ... maybe time ... (and maybe storage in the intervening period, if they won't cover the gas cost and you have to wait for your next convenient trip). And if the offer is less than satisfactory, maybe a claim for inconvenience when you couldn't use the jeans.

Reasonable.

Courteous.

Determined. (That's when it's me - when it's you, it's "stubborn").

But know when to call it a day.

Good wishes for finding a solution with which you can feel comfortable.

ole joyful

I need educating. I am aware of the security devices that are round plastic devices attached to garments.

What is an ink tag? What does it look like? Where is it attached?

TONI! Read this link...... might save you a trip. Be sure to read all the way down to the bit about the magnets!

Here is a link that might be useful: You might be able to do this - A has tools, I know....

"If ink leaks out, take them back to Penneys and make them refund your money, it was THEIR mistake."

The ink tags I've seen on clothing clearly states 'Do Not Remove' citing the danger of ink staining and that they should be removed only by an employee at the store. If one were to ignore this warning printed on the ink tag and ruin the item, I'm sure the store would not refund the money.

Toni...wrap it in a baggie and duct tape around it...and cut the cord...maybe cover the article of clothing with plastic too...wear old clothes and do it outside.

Ya think????

Dilly Dally, JCPenney will refund your money if you have the receipt. What can they expect when their employees forget to remove the ink tag. The stores remove the ink tags by touching the cone shaped tip to a magnet.

Can you dispute the charge with the credit card company until the problem is resolved. Maybe that will give you more than the regular 30 days since it is such a long trip. Heck, I have had cars that would cost more in gas to drive that far than most pairs of jeans cost! No way should you have to deal with the problem!

Sometimes it is easier to call first, maybe like someone earlier said, they could send a messenger out.

Keep us posted.

I've brought back stuff to Penney's a few times when it was at the 6 month mark (I did have the receipt.) They took it and I got my money back. I couldn't believe it. I've found that they are a pretty decent store as far as returns and such, they just might give you your money back and your pants. That's what I'd try for.

Well, I felt like I had a whole group behind me today.
My son is going to the University in the city where I bought the jeans. I went up again to help him and his dorm mate get their room together. We were somewhat successful.
ANYWAY, I did go to customer service with the jeans and recieved a $10 gift card. They wouldn't give me two, so I left to get another pair of jeans since they fit my dd so well. I found some clothes for both my dd's to wear to school and quickly went to check out since son was waiting for me at school. I was amazed to see the same customer service gal from downstairs waving me over to checkout. She gave me an additional $10 bucks off besides the gift card. The jeans were %40 off, down to $25, minus the $20 for the trip back. $5 jeans! a price I really like!!
Bought the boys some dinner and took them all over town looking for a futon. Didn't find one either. They can do it this weekend, Enough city for me.

I'm going to read your link on Friday Flamey, I'm about ready to sleep sitting up, I'm so tired.

Surely a mail-order company like JCP can get the item picked up and a new one delivered. I probably do more business with them via my UPS man than I do in their bricks and mortar store. INSIST they handle it. Don't be a doormat. I'd be livid.

I'm glad you got it taken care of, Toni and that they treated you well, that says a lot about them. I'm really glad you saw that customer service rep again, too, that was nice of her to give you more off, I wonder if she had come upstairs to have a little chat with the clerk who didn't take the tag off in the first place. SHE is good at her job and a little note to JCP saying so (without giving too many $$$ details) would be a lovely thing to do.

Yeah, that link and the other one at the bottom of that page- FASCINATING read if you're mechanically inclined, which I bet you are, living on a farm. It could come in handy, that info, at some later date!