For Costco (in the US) and every other store I just walk past the guards. If they say something, I just say "no thanks". I decided I'd be happy to just stand th

For Costco (in the US) and every other store I just walk past the guards. If they say something, I just say "no thanks". I decided I'd be happy to just stand there while they call their manager and then the real police, but I've never had too. IANAL but they can't detain you if they don't see a crime, much like a citizen's arrest. In any case if you are calm and polite the downside isn't that bad for you. My guess is they are just counting on customers trying to be nice. From FindLaw: "Though these laws vary, store owners and their employees generally are allowed to detain an individual when they have probable cause to suspect shoplifting. However, any such detention of a suspected shoplifter must be reasonable in length and manner. Detentions without probable cause, for an unreasonable amount of time, or in an unreasonable manner may leave the store open to liability for false imprisonment and possibly other claims. What constitutes probable cause to suspect shoplifting comes down to case by case specifics. Mere suspicion typically will not suffice. Most states require that the store or its employees have evidence which would lead a reasonable person to believe that shoplifting had occurred or was in progress. If the store bases its detention of a suspected shoplifter on information from a non-employee informer, that informer must have a reasonable basis for suspecting shoplifting." [1] [1] https://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/shoplifting.html https://criminal.findlaw.com/criminal-charges/shoplifting.ht...