Pleasant_Broccoli451 OP t1_j28bayv wrote on December 30, 2022 at 10:50 AM

Reply to comment by greatvaluemeeseeks in Eli5: How does a product know it's paid for? by Pleasant_Broccoli451

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?

DblDtchRddr t1_j28dgft wrote on December 30, 2022 at 11:18 AM

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.)