Needless to say: you should never steal. But it can happen that you return home after shopping and find that the cashier has forgotten to remove the anti-theft plate. There is no need to go back to the shop to have it removed, because it can also be done at home with several very simple methods. Read on to learn more.
Steps
Method 1 of 7: with rubber bands
Step 1. Place the ink cartridge face down
It should be positioned where it protrudes from the plastic, on the opposite side of the pin, which is the round part of the cleat.
Step 2. Isolate the area where the tag is attached from the rest of the garment
If the cartridge breaks, the ink won't ruin the whole garment.
Step 3. Slide a rubber band around the cleat pin
The elastic must be large and strong to loosen the pin, but also thin enough otherwise it will not slip into the groove.
Step 4. Hold the widest part of the cleat with one hand
Step 5. Pull the pin with your other hand
The pressure of the pin will sooner or later give way, detaching it from the rest of the cleat.
If the elastic does not loosen the pin enough, try again by adding more rubber bands
Method 2 of 7: with the Screwdriver
Step 1. Lay the garment on the floor, placing the rectangular side of the cleat up
Step 2. Use the thinnest flathead screwdriver you can find
Try to thread it along the edge of the embossed square pyramid.
Step 3. Press hard
This way, the plastic should puncture.
Step 4. Repeat the second step along the entire edge of the pyramid, until you are able to completely remove it
Step 5. Remove the silver paper backing so you can see the metal plate underneath
Step 6. Use the screwdriver again to pry up one of the metal tabs holding the pin
Step 7. Now that the hole is clear, the pin should slide through it, freeing the garment
Method 3 of 7: with the Freezer
Step 1. Freeze the garment with the ink plate
With this method, an excellent result is achieved.
Step 2. Open the cleat
You can use your hands, pliers, or the rubber band method. In any case, it is better to freeze the plate and, with it, the ink to avoid damaging the garment if something goes wrong.
Method 4 of 7: Hit the Plate
Step 1. Gently pull the cleat from the garment several times
Do this about ten times, until the pin has loosened a little.
Step 2. Get a wide nail
It must be larger than the plate. The nail head should be at least as wide as a penny.
Step 3. Isolate the area where the tag is attached from the rest of the garment
Place the long side of the cleat on a surface.
Step 4. Poke the ink cartridge until it opens
Without using too much force, hit it repeatedly until it opens. It will take at least twenty hits before it works.
Be careful not to hit too hard, or the cartridge will burst
Method 5 of 7: with Nose Pliers
Step 1. Place the plate with the ink cartridge facing up
Step 2. Grab the rectangular side with the pliers
Step 3. Hold the other side of the cleat with another pliers
Step 4. Gently bend the sides of the cleat with pliers
Do not use too much force or the plate will crack, causing the ink to leak.
Step 5. Continue bending the plate until it opens
At this point, the pin will have loosened and you can remove it.
Method 6 of 7: Force the electromagnet
Many modern plaques actually contain an electromagnet rather than an ink pouch; you will realize this once you manage to open one.
Step 1. Put something between the plate and the top of the pin to loosen it
Step 2. Bend the pin back and forth until it breaks
Step 3. Push the plate so that the pin comes out of the hole it originally entered
Step 4. Break the plate
Method 7 of 7: Burn the Plaque
Step 1. Use a lighter to burn the "dome" part of the plate
Since it's plastic, it should catch fire in a matter of seconds.
Step 2. Use a knife or similar tool to remove the part you burned in the previous step
Step 3. Digging into the hole created, you should find some kind of spring
At that point it should come out easily.
Advice
- These methods work with rectangular plates closed with a round pin.
- A method that does not require physical strength can also be used. Place the rectangular plate with the tip facing up. Loosen the tip until you see the metal part and the two tabs holding the pin in place. Fold the tabs and, voila, you've removed the anti-theft plate!
- Do not use these methods if you are still in the shop.
- Some stores use magnets to remove the cleats. Therefore, try placing two magnets on the sides of the pin to remove it. Alternatively, use a very strong magnet (neodymium) on the raised part and pull the pin away.
- If it's a rectangular model that contains ink, use a grinding wheel on the back. Inside there is a pin held in place by small notches; to be safe, cover the side containing the ink with tape.
- You could also try to open it with pliers as if it were a walnut.
Warnings
- Do not steal.
- This method does not work with ink plates. In this case, it would be a good idea to put the plate in the freezer before proceeding to solidify the ink.
- Be careful with your hands when using the screwdriver!
