Shoppers say store manager in Middleburg Heights was denying them Black Friday doorbuster deals

MIDDLEBURG HEIGHTS, Ohio - Two Black Friday shoppers said a northeast Ohio Sears store manger is changing the rules about Black Friday doorbuster deals.

Rachelle Wright and Teresa Flowers told NewsChannel5 investigators that the manager at the chain's Middleburg Heights location told them they will each only be allowed to purchase one doorbuster item when the store opens its doors at 8 p.m. Thursday.

"It does say you're limited to one per household, but of each item, not just one item... Nowhere does it say you're only allowed one doorbuster," said Flowers about the Sears' advertisement for its Black Friday bargains.

Flowers and Wright said the manager also told them he would not allow Flower's daughter to purchase a 32-inch television that is on sale for $97. They said the manager told them: "It's against the law for her to buy a TV under the age of 18."

The close friends have camped out overnight with their kids on Black Friday for five years so they can be the first in line to enter stores for Black Friday sales.

"We've never had this experience before at any of the stores we've been to," Wright said.

The Sears store was not open when NewsChannel5 investigators went to talk to the shoppers. We contacted Sears corporate office. They sent us a statement.

"Sears works hard to delight all customers on Black Friday. In this case, the ad for the 32" HDTV states "Limit 1 per household." The intent is to allow as many families as possible, the opportunity to purchase one of these televisions."

After our story aired at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sears handed out tickets to customers in line for the 32" televisions to be given out. No other televisions other than those with a ticket will be given out until 4:00 a.m., when the 50" televisions will be given away. The 32" TV's were under $100. The 50" TV's are $299. Also, a customer does not have to be over the age of 18 to purchase a television.