Author Topic: 0.001 inch shim stock from Anti-Theft device (Read 1151 times)

Ed McCullough · « **on:** May 19, 2024, 01:00:50 AM »

I need to replenish my supply of the 0.001 inch thick metallic shim stock that we get from Anti-Theft devices on expensive merchandise in stores. What stores use those these days? Which merchandise in the stores have these anti-theft devices on them. I need to go shopping.

Age · « **Reply #1 on:** May 19, 2024, 07:06:21 PM »

Good question. I was kinda wondering about that myself. I got a bunch of them years ago, (can't remember from whence

) but I just about gave them all away. Now, if I loose the one I glued between two Popsicle sticks, I may be in trouble. $:-\$

Lockjaw Larry · « **Reply #2 on:** May 19, 2024, 07:44:37 PM »

Never fear, the world hasn’t ended, yet. Amazon has a good selection of steel, stainless steel, and brass shims for a price. They also offer several selections of feeler gauges, which are very tough and lasts forever. It would be inexpensive to share an order amongst friends. Just send your donations..💲💲

Ed McCullough · « **Reply #3 on:** May 19, 2024, 08:24:24 PM »

We are chromatic harmonica players, another term for cheapies, skin flints, Penny Pinchers. What are the names of the stores that use the anti-theft devices that look like tiny white boxes glued to the packaging of expensive items that shoplifters like to steal?

They are marvelous for checking and adjusting clearance between reeds and the sides of the reed slots.

Age · « **Reply #4 on:** May 19, 2024, 08:47:15 PM »

Quote from: Ed McCullough on May 19, 2024, 08:24:24 PM

We are chromatic harmonica players, another term for cheapies, skin flints, Penny Pinchers. . . . .

Yeah, you tell'm Ed!

Ed McCullough · « **Reply #5 on:** May 21, 2024, 12:07:19 AM »

Maybe these things that we used to use are not made these days. I looked for this in the internet and did not find those little white boxes that look like miniature coffins.

Can you find this item in the internet? One term is "anti-theft tag". It might be that anti-theft tags are all flat items, and the device we are looking for has a different name.
Can you find this in the internet?

Gnarly He Man · « **Reply #6 on:** May 21, 2024, 12:35:31 AM »

I found some recently, they were more narrow than my other ones.
I assume they are the latest version.

Here’s a link to the old ones.

https://www.trusttag.com/anti-theft-device/security-tags/security-strips/

Ed McCullough · « **Reply #7 on:** May 21, 2024, 01:20:20 AM »

Gnarly,
Did you find the physical items in a store, or did you only find description of them in the internet?
If you found them in a store, what is the name of the store?

Lockjaw Larry · « **Reply #8 on:** May 21, 2024, 08:14:49 AM »

Good old Amazon shines again… but at a cost of about $10 / 100 sticks. That’s my $.02 worth.

Ed McCullough · « **Reply #9 on:** May 21, 2024, 08:21:05 AM »

Larry,
That is very helpful.
If something can be found in Amazon, I always also like to look in eBay.

Lockjaw Larry · « **Reply #10 on:** May 21, 2024, 08:32:27 AM »

Ed, I prefer Amazon over other sellers because most any item can be returned to local Kohl’s store with no hassle. I have purchased from an EBay seller, later had a problem and could not locate that seller.

Plus I get free shipping with my annual Prime membership. Between my wife’s frequent purchases and my occasional buys it pays us to subscribe to Prime. Besides free shipping we have access to lots of free perks, like free music and videos to watch whenever we want.

Another benefit is they keep records of each purchase so it’s easy to reorder any item, any time.

Ed McCullough · « **Reply #11 on:** May 21, 2024, 09:53:45 AM »

Amazon sounds great. Also had little problem with ebay. Something arrived last week that was definitely not as good as advertised. I started the return process, got a refund to my PayPal account. Because the dollar value was so low, about $5, seller didn't not want to be bothered by my returning it

Ed McCullough · « **Reply #12 on:** May 21, 2024, 09:57:18 AM »

I always look first in eBay, because I think the prices are lower there. EBay gives many, many choices. Sometimes an overwhelming number of choices, but I can sort through them.

brorat · « **Reply #13 on:** May 21, 2024, 10:32:25 AM »

Quote from: Ed McCullough on May 21, 2024, 09:53:45 AM

Amazon sounds great. Also had little problem with ebay. Something arrived last week that was definitely not as good as advertised. I started the return process, got a refund to my PayPal account. Because the dollar value was so low, about $5, seller didn't not want to be bothered by my returning it

I use Amazon for pretty much everything from batteries to underwear

Every once in a while I'll buy something (like a golf glove for my grandson) that doesn't work out, and I initiate a return. There have been a half dozen times over the years that they give me a refund and just tell me to keep the item.

I usually check multiple places for pricing, but on average Amazon is right with the lowest. The things that push me that way are the free shipping (with Prime, which my wife and I more than recoup!), easy returns, fast refunds, Prime video for movies, series, and documentaries, and easy finding and re-ordering of stuff I've liked. Convenience and time are worth a few pennies to me.

Initially, I hesitated to use Amazon because of the impact on local "mom and pop" stores. With more thought, I realized that mom and pop can sell through Amazon!

Ed McCullough · « **Reply #14 on:** June 25, 2024, 09:59:31 AM »

I found two more old caches with the shim stock from the Anti-Theft devices. Yahoo! Yippee! Hot dog,! Cold cat! I found an old tuning meter and some other tools. I also found a 16 holer that I had worked up into good condition.

brorat · « **Reply #15 on:** June 25, 2024, 12:50:02 PM »

Quote from: Ed McCullough on June 25, 2024, 09:59:31 AM

I found two more old caches with the shim stock from the Anti-Theft devices. Yahoo! Yippee! Hot dog,! Cold cat! I found an old tuning meter and some other tools. I also found a 16 holer that I had worked up into good condition.

Christmas in June!

Ed McCullough · « **Reply #16 on:** July 20, 2024, 01:36:45 AM »

I just found another small collection of those thin metal pieces.

Age · « **Reply #17 on:** July 20, 2024, 06:19:10 PM »

I protect my little bundle with my life. (till I misplace again

) Pretty sure they're where they supposed to beright now, so when my "sandwiched between two popsicle stix" jobbie disappears, I'll just grab another'n out the stash box.

Scotty · « **Reply #18 on:** August 15, 2024, 05:20:30 PM »

Just for the record, Ed, those anti-theft devices are not always on the most expensive items. They used to be attached to every CD and DVD case, and I've found them on pocketbooks (even moderately priced ones), middle-priced clothing and all kinds of sundries. The problem with really expensive clothing is that they tend to hide the devices where they're not always caught by the salesperson, AND don't always trigger the alarm when one exits. I once bought the most perfect pair of dress pants on sale for a special occasion - a neighbour's daughter's Wedding, with the perfect jacket as well...and AS I put them on felt this hard thing hitting my ankle. Imagine my surprise to find this huge device still firmly affixed to the inside seam. I had almost no time to come up with something else to wear that particular night and make it to the Wedding on time. TRES frustrating. Since I'd already cut off all the price tags, it was quite the problem taking them back to the store to have them remove the tag...being scrutinized as if I'd stolen them! Luckily, I'd bought several items and was able to circle this one on my store receipt (which I always keep). Thinking about it now, when they're removed, the clerks toss them into a bin along with broken clothes hangers, etc. I wonder if you could go to a department store and ask if you could have some, explaining just what it is you need them for, even opening one up to show which part you require (could help to have a chromatic along)?

scotty

Lockjaw Larry · « **Reply #19 on:** August 15, 2024, 08:15:23 PM »

Friends, do not fret. .001” stainless steel shim stock is quite common and inexpensive when bought in bulk. It would be easy for one person to purchase a supply, scissor into appropriate sizes and mail to interested parties. Perhaps someone would care to calculate costs of each shim using the attached example found on Amazon?
My personal stash will likely last me more years than I have left.

Ed McCullough · « **Reply #20 on:** August 15, 2024, 08:28:27 PM »

Scotty,
I cannot remember the last time I saw one of those Anti-Theft devices on an item in a store.
I found several collections of them in my own possessions during the last few months, so I no longer need more.

Age · « **Reply #21 on:** August 16, 2024, 12:32:40 AM »

I have a dozen or so around here somewhere. If they show up, I'll let ya'all know.

Scotty · « **Reply #22 on:** August 16, 2024, 02:14:56 AM »

Quote from: Lockjaw Larry on May 19, 2024, 07:44:37 PM

Never fear, the world hasn’t ended, yet. Amazon has a good selection of steel, stainless steel, and brass shims for a price. They also offer several selections of feeler gauges, which are very tough and lasts forever. It would be inexpensive to share an order amongst friends. Just send your donations..💲💲

fwiw Larry, I still have the HUGE set of pristine feeler gauges I got from my father-in-law (RIP) many, many years ago. He kept all of his tools in immaculate condition but this set hadn't been used at all and has so many of the reeaaallly thin gauges which I use for my own chromatics. When I traveled (mostly to SPAH/Garden State), I did take a couple of the anti-theft ones in a tiny case, but at home, the feeler gauge is it.

scotty