Department Stores Giving Away Makeup

Ladies, drag queens, and anyone else who likes to cake on the make-up, it's time to cash in on someone else's settlement. The NY Post is reporting that department stores are handing out big-name brand cosmetics to anyone willing to stand in line, as part of a price-gouging class-action suit that has finally been settled. They suggest hitting up Bergdorf's and Saks for a speedier transaction, though Macy's and Bloomingdale's will also be taking part (Lord & Taylor has already run out of product). The giveaway runs through next Monday, and "customers are only supposed to get one item, but there's an honor system. People have gotten seconds and even thirds." In fact, the Post reporter scored over $300 worth of makeup after visiting five stores. One woman the paper talked to also hit up all the shops, saying she probably spent close to $7,000 on makeup between 1994 and 2003—the years the stores violated antitrust laws by fixing prices.

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By Jen Carlson in News on January 22, 2009 11:15 AM

Comments [rss]

CR

"customers are only supposed to get one item, but there's an honor system. People have gotten seconds and even thirds."

Markowitz's wife again?!?

NannyState

Christine Quinn barged ahead of the line just to find out that Lancome discontinued their line of spackle 3 years ago?

dbc

Please stop spreading misinformation. This is not a "giveaway". The items are being distributed to members of the class, which is defined in the class action settlement as current US residents who purchased specific brands of department store cosmetics during the period May 29, 1994 through July 16, 2003; employees of those specific brands, their immediate family members, and some other parties are not eligible. Additional information is available at http://www.cosmeticssettlement.com/.

The distribution relies on the honor system--just show up and affirm that you are a member of the class--but many dishonest people are taking advantage of the way in which the settlement is being administered. As a result, many class members, like me, who are owed compensation due to the price-fixing debacle, are literally being left out in the cold--the Macy's line is outside on 35th Street. I went to Macy's yesterday hoping to collect my one allowed item, but turned away after observing the line. There were mothers with children who weren't even born before or during the class period hoping to score multiple items because they were in parties of 2 or more. Despicable.

Ivete

Don't bother trying the Soho Bloomingdale's they are out!

robingee

"customers are only supposed to get one item, but there's an honor system. People have gotten seconds and even thirds." In fact, the Post reporter scored over $300 worth of makeup after visiting five stores"

So I guess the Post reporter has no honor. Shocking.

smitty

Do you have to have a receipt or can you just show up?

Steven

This started on Tuesday. Some people are reporting stores are giving out more then one per person. I think they want to get rid of their stock and not be bother with it anymore.