I’ve found that at Walmart and other stores including Circuit City, CompUSA, etc., if I walk out holding the receipt in my hand or “reading” it, I never get stopped. I’ve pretty much removed their cause for concern, and in fact turned the tables by seeming to check my receipt to see that *I* didn’t get ripped off.
The only place you can’t do that is BJ’s (and perhaps other shopper’s clubs) that have a policy of checking your cart and marking your receipt when you leave.
Ohio Shoplifter Detention Law
http://downloads.ohiobar.org/pub/busres/fineprint/osba_fine_print_issue005.pdf
I can't remember, but my Sam's membership contract probably has a clause allowing them to do this. I didn't have a contract with Wal-Mart allowing that last time I checked. Still, whenever I go I don't really care if the old lady wants to look at my receipt. It gives her a job, and my kid gets a kick giving it to her -- they usually draw smiley faces and give it back.
I asked the gal at Sam’s about it, and she said “Its to make sure that you have all of your items”. (A good response - no doubt learned in training).
It would be fun to cross-reference this thread with the thread about the Home Depot policy of not chasing shoplifters!
Now the one that DOES get me mad is that I have to get my psudephed from the pharmacist! (Sure - your store is open 24 hours, but the pharmacy is open like 10:30a - 3:30p on the weekend!?)