I am so sorry to hear about your experience at Walmart. Certainly, these employees over-stepped their bounds and should be held accountable for their actions.

You are never required to stop for store employees, for any reason. It is illegal for them to detain you, even if you were stealing from their store.

They can request that you stop but they are not allowed to do anything if you refuse, except call the police.

As for COSTCO, I allowed my membership to expire with them years ago because COSTCO kept increasing their membership rates. However, unless, their membership contract specifically requires members to stop at the door for “inspection,” as a condition of membership, they cannot require you to halt at the door.

Do note however, if you do not stop to have your receipt highlighted by a staff member, it may be difficult to return an item, depending on store policy.

Do be sure to make a complaint with the manager and consider putting in a call to the District Attorney’s office or your local Attorney General about the stores business practices.

Thanks for sharing your horrific experience.