Re: Hidden security tags in Old Navy jeans
by Arthur
A year ago I wrote about the security tag I found in my Old Navy Jeans that was setting off alarms in other stores. The square tag with the text “remove before washing or wearing” was hidden in an unusual place inside the jeans and sewn into fabric where I hadn’t noticed it before. I argued that Old Navy should tell customers about these RFID tags or simply move them to a place where you can see them. The post has brought forward some interesting comments of angry customers versus angry Old Navy employees.
Clearly I’m the only one who was setting off alarms at other stores. Someone commented:
They should inform their buyers, this is not a normal tag and not something you are prepared for. I set off alarms EVERYWHERE I went with these jeans on and finally it was a Target security officer that asked if I had bought them at Old Navy, Banana Republic, or the Gap, and he informed me of the hidden tag. The tag was deep on the inside below the right pants pocket and I didn’t even pay attention to it as it was yet another tag.
This was exactly my view when I posted about this. The problem is its location; it isn’t in the usual place with the other tags — instead it is further down and behind a pocket. I don’t think it is common to look there.
This view is not shared by everyone. One Old Navy employee wrote:
You are actually stupid, because there is huge lettering on the tag that says “remove before wearing or washing” and there is also a line that says “cut here” with a picture of scissors next to it”….i think that’s guidance enough for me…unless you are too frickin STUPID to cut a tag out of some pants…honestly…who needs directions to cut a tag out of some pants.
As I and others wrote it’s not about the tag itself or that the writing on it is unclear or that it is difficult to cut it off. It’s all about the position. It would solve a lot of problems if the manufacturer moved the tag up to the waistline where all the other tags are, and make it more conspicuous by for instance making it red.
A year ago I wrote about the security tag I found in my Old Navy Jeans that was setting off alarms in other stores. The square tag with the text “remove before washing or wearing” was hidden in an unusual place inside the jeans and sewn into fabric where I hadn’t noticed it before. I argued that Old Navy should tell customers about these RFID tags or simply move them to a place where you can see them. The post has brought forward some interesting comments of angry customers versus angry Old Navy employees.
Clearly I’m the only one who was setting off alarms at other stores. Someone commented:
They should inform their buyers, this is not a normal tag and not something you are prepared for. I set off alarms EVERYWHERE I went with these jeans on and finally it was a Target security officer that asked if I had bought them at Old Navy, Banana Republic, or the Gap, and he informed me of the hidden tag. The tag was deep on the inside below the right pants pocket and I didn’t even pay attention to it as it was yet another tag.
This was exactly my view when I posted about this. The problem is its location; it isn’t in the usual place with the other tags — instead it is further down and behind a pocket. I don’t think it is common to look there.
This view is not shared by everyone. One Old Navy employee wrote:
You are actually stupid, because there is huge lettering on the tag that says “remove before wearing or washing” and there is also a line that says “cut here” with a picture of scissors next to it”….i think that’s guidance enough for me…unless you are too frickin STUPID to cut a tag out of some pants…honestly…who needs directions to cut a tag out of some pants.
As I and others wrote it’s not about the tag itself or that the writing on it is unclear or that it is difficult to cut it off. It’s all about the position. It would solve a lot of problems if the manufacturer moved the tag up to the waistline where all the other tags are, and make it more conspicuous by for instance making it red.
January 6th, 2008 at 4:06 am
I just found the same tag you’ve been talking about. I’ve been dealing with store alarms going off for almost 2 months and I even thought it was my cellphone. I’ve been frustrated to no end. I can’t believe that any normal person would be expected to look inside where the inseam meets the seat of the pants for something like a security tag without being told. I was shocked when I found mine and I’m so glad I read your article about this. I was expecting a somewhat bulkier tag, somewhere obvious. I can’t believe that the store clerks don’t mention this. I think the Old Navy clerk who replied to you in absolutely out of line.
February 26th, 2008 at 6:52 am
yeah….i know this sounds bad but could i say that my pants are setting off a tag when im actually stealing stuff?
that would be useful
February 28th, 2008 at 11:29 pm
I’ve worked at Old Navy for almost two years now. And after having to deactivate tons of clothing I can tell you the company has done a better job at putting them in plain site. I used to forget about the tags in some of my clothes, but now a lot of them are making it hard for you to not notice them. Plus, it’s the big ticket items like pants and jackets that have the tags in them. We try to let our customers know about the tags should they set off an alarm.
I do understand the frustration of some of the employees on your blog. We have a lot to deal with when being at the cashrap. We can’t please everyone.
March 19th, 2008 at 11:10 pm
I regularly buy stuff at Old Navy and I’ve never had my stuff go off at other stores. Even so, washing machines should damage the tags.