RECORD STORE TALES #1040: The Tag Jar
As your typical mall music store in the 1990s, we had the usual magnetic tag security system. The idea was fairly simple. At the store entrance there was a magnetic detector that you had to pass through. Our merchandise was tagged with these little magnetic strips, about an inch long. If you passed one of these strips through the detector by the door, a loud siren would be triggered. It was one of several loss prevention methods we used.
There were two ways to utilise the security tags. One was to double up with a re-usable security case. These cases locked the CD into a longer “long box” length package. This package was tagged on the inside with the magnetic security system. At the front counter, a special key would unlock the security case. You’d then put another CD in there and re-use it. The other method involved tagging the CD or tape itself, in an inconspicuous place on the spine of the cellophane. In this case, a special magnetic device behind the counter would “de-tag” the disc. It was not totally reliable so you wanted to use the device three or four times, running it over the tag. You wanted to make sure you properly de-tagged the item before the customer left the store.
Since no customer liked setting off the security alarm, it was heavily emphasized: make sure you de-tag! And we had a jar where you had to pay a dollar if you were caught checking out a customer without de-tagging. The boss warned us: everybody screws this up, it’s just a matter of time until you do. I was like, nahhh man, not me. I was hired in July and my first dollar went into the tag jar before Christmas.
The money in the tag jar went towards paying for our annual Christmas dinner. The boss invited one of his personal friends to join us, which in hindsight seems weird. It was a nice dinner though, and we worked hard earning it. My first Christmas there was a busy one and we were both buying and selling discs the whole time, all at one little tiny counter.
The security alarms were loud. You could hear them down the hallway of the mall, all the way down to the Zellers store. That’s how I got caught one time. I was hoping the boss didn’t hear me while he was out doing his bank run, but he did, and I had to pony up my dollar. I couldn’t remember if I de-tagged the guy or not, which meant I probably didn’t. But sometimes I swear it was just that the device wasn’t de-tagging properly. Some box sets also had two or three tags on the shrinkwrap. There were multiple ways to screw it up.
Thieves always find ways around your best security measures, and ultimately the tags were not worth the cost and were phased out in future stores, in a new and innovative way: ditching new product almost altogether in favour of a 90% used strategy. But that’s a whole other story.
mikeladano.com 
They still use those tags out here. I hate it when they stick them on the booklet, so you potentially rip it when you tear it off. Fucking dumbasses.
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Who the fuck would do that??
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Dumbass pot smoking teenagers!
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Just an FYI so you know. I know you’re fond of the big guy. In a metaphorical sense I’m now a vegetarian. The Meat and I are finished. We shan’t work together again. This is permanent and sadly a long time coming. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. I know you were fond of him.
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Oh, you and Uncle Meat had a falling out?
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Afraid so. It should have ended in June, but we have grown apart and need to stay apart.
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I hope it was mostly amicable.
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Is it ever? Lol. No it was pretty far from amicable, though I tried. Nobody likes being told it’s over. I’ll always love that big guy.
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Does that mean no more Max the Axe too?
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Max finds him as difficult to work with as I do, but the new Max album is still coming and I will still buy it and promote it. I still listen to the music. I doubt I will be playing anything with Meat on my show anymore but who knows.
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Huh. I had no idea Meat could be a pain. I just thought he was an easy going guy with a crass sense of humor.
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Meat and I are both very strong willed creative individuals. I think he needs a creative outlet where he calls the shots, he would be very good at it. I truly wish him nothing but the best. I will always love that big asshole! There’s just no way for us to continue anymore.
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Ah, you’re both type a’s. He should get a beret and get into the Canadian film industry as a director.
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I’m not usually a type A. Only when it comes to my creativity. He could be any number of things. He’d be a good stand up comic. He’d be brilliant as a music show host.
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I get it. I want my creative projects done my own way too. Never compromise!
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Unfortunately that’s all I can say because he doesn’t like me talking about it publicly, which runs contrary to my own drive for self expression. But I’ll honour his wish and that’s all I can say.
Conflicted to the last!
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I understand. Too bad you couldn’t work something out. He’ll be missed.
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We tried to work it out in June, and we got six more months out of it, but it was not meant to last. This time it has to be permanent.
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I remember a lot of the high volume places put the CDs in a reusable case with the tag on the case. It made searching for CD’s a nightmare and they took up so much room.
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Yes they did. It was a constant battle for space.
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I don’t remember having tags at the store I was working. We did have those long cases you had use a tool to get the CDs out and then put another in. It was a PIA.
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I used to get enjoyment watching some employees fidget trying to get the disc out. lol….
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HAH! One time at A&A, they couldn’t get it out, so they just gave me the whole thing including the security box. That was hard to open at home…needed heavy duty tools lol.
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