Self-detaching anti-theft device for retail environment

A method for operating a security tag, comprising:

• placing a pin of the security tag in a fully engaged position wherein (a) an end of the pin resides within an aperture formed in a first portion of a single enclosure spaced apart from a second portion of the single enclosure by a gap and (b) an elongate body of the pin extends through the gap, where the first and second portions of the single enclosure oppose each other and have static positions relative to each other at all times of the security tag's use, and the gap is defined by an insert space sized and shaped for receiving at least a portion of an article to be protected by the security tag;
• communicating a wireless signal to the security tag attached to the article when a successful purchase of the article has been verified, where the wireless signal includes a detach command for initiating a detachment of the security tag from the article;
• and
• causing a mechanical component of the security tag to be released in response to a reception of the wireless signal at the security tag;
• resiliently biasing the pin towards the second portion of the single enclosure whereby the pin of the security tag transitions from the fully engaged position to a fully unengaged position without any human assistance or mechanical assistance by a device external to the security tag, the pin being fully retracted into the second portion of the single enclosure when the pin is in the unengaged position, where the pin is fixedly coupled to the single enclosure.