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greatvaluemeeseeks t1_j28b404 wrote

A small sticker is placed on or hidden inside high theft items. Older systems used a strip of metal that can be magnetized and demagnetized. The cashier swipes the tag across a special spot on the counter and it demagnetizes it; if they don't demagnetize it it sets off the alarm at the store's entrance when you walk past it.

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Pleasant_Broccoli451 OP t1_j28bayv wrote

Ok I understand that magnet part! That makes total sense but how about the normal products with a normal bar code printed on the packaging?

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DblDtchRddr t1_j28dgft wrote

Those products don't set off security alarms. You can literally stand there playing catch across a security door with a can of Red Bull, and it won't set off the alarm, unless the store has put a security tag on it.

(Don't actually do this. While you won't set off the alarm, retail establishments generally don't appreciate these kinds of shenanigans.)

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