A mom and small business owner has been left “distraught” after her interaction with the supposed “owner” of Crumbl cookies.
In a viral TikTok, Morgan Harris (@morganchaisebeauty) tearfully explains what led to the unpleasant exchange. The Tuscaloosa, Alabama, woman says she has been doing lashes for eight years. She has had a physical location for her small brow and lash business, Chaise Beauty, for about three and a half years.
Harris says she received word that the first Crumbl location in her town was opening nearby, and she was excited to support a new business. She planned to buy cookies on opening day. However, she thought there was more she could do as a business owner. Remembering her own grand opening in which she partnered with other businesses, she decided she would offer Crumbl some gift cards to her store to give to employees or pass out to customers.
She called the location first to make sure it was OK. The worker she spoke to said she’d talk to a manager. Harris heard the manager say yes and also spoke with the manager personally to confirm that it was acceptable. She then spent $54 of her own cash at FedEx to have 100 $10 gift cards to her store printed. She then had one of her workers walk it over to Crumbl on opening day, the day she recorded the video.
Harris emphasizes that her employee did not pass them out to customers. She also notes that the line was very long. So rather than buying cookies then, she planned to do it later in the day.
Things went south before she had a chance
While with a client, Harris received a call from someone claiming to be the owner of Crumbl. She is unsure if this person owns the entire company or just the location that opened up near her.
“I’ve just never been spoken to this way or treated this way by another person or another company, especially not being a big company,” she says.
Harris says the woman she spoke to was mean, aggressively asked to speak to the owner of her business, and was basically yelling at her. She adds that the woman accused her of trying to infringe on Crumbl’s business and said if Harris ever had anything to do with Crumbl again, she would send a cease and desist and take legal action.
She hung up before Harris could get a word in edgewise, then called back five minutes later, claiming that none of the managers agreed to receive Harris’ gift cards. Harris contends that she called, has a recording because all of her business calls are recorded, and would never drop off something at a business without asking. She maintains that she was just trying to be a good local business owner and not trying to steal business from Crumbl, especially since she runs a salon and not a bakery.
However, the woman once again said she would take legal action and hung up before Harris could defend herself.
The interaction left Harris in tears, wondering who she spoke to and whether she needs to prepare for legal action. She asks viewers if they know any lawyers in her area.
“I don’t have any money to sue for,” she says.
She also addresses Crumbl, asking if it could reach out to her to clear up the situation.
“I don’t want you guys to feel like there was ill intent from us because, again, I’m not some big corporate. I’m not another cookie company coming in trying to steal your customers,” she says. “We were just sharing our support for you guys here, whether it was to your employees or to your customers, whoever.”
‘We ride at dawn!’
In the comments section, viewers supported Harris. Some assured her that the owner could not sue her for what she did and offered legal counsel. Some said they would not be supporting the new store. One even said if it was any consolation, at least Harris looked pretty when she cried.
“I’m an attorney and you have crossed no boundaries!” user JGC wrote. “They can’t send a notification to a salon, you are a non compete company. You’re ok.”
User Chels said, “Hey girl, I know the CEO of Crumbl and I know they would never think that was okay. I sent this to them and I hope everything works out! Don’t cry pretty girl!!”
One viewer offered an alternative to Tuscaloosa residents who didn’t want to support Crumbl. They wrote, “Reminder for the people of tuscaloosa who want good cookies: chip is just down the street from crumbl and is 1000x better!”
@morganchaisebeauty Please tag @crumblecookies ? ♬ original sound – Morgan Harris
Can a business owner get in trouble for sending gift cards to another business?
Business gifting company Goody states, “In most cases, sending or accepting gifts should not cause legal or compliance headaches. While following rules and regulations, companies can also aim to give meaningful and memorable gifts to employees, business associates, clients, and partners.”
The company advises business owners to check their own company’s policies on giving gifts to clients and business partners. It also recommends asking the receiver if the gift is acceptable according to their own policies.
Goody recommends avoiding gift cards, not because of situations like Harris’, but for tax reasons.
It states, “Gift cards – no matter the amount – are considered taxable income. To avoid the headaches of tax reporting or gifting a tax bill to your staff, it’s better to stick to physical gifts – which feel more personal and meaningful anyway.”
The Mary Sue reached out to Harris via email and TikTok comment and direct message. It reached out to Crumbl via media relations email and to the CEO via LinkedIn direct message. It also contacted the Tuscaloosa Crumbl location via email.
Have a tip we should know? [email protected]
