Department stores give away cosmetics under settlement

Posted to: Business
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By Kathy Adams
The Virginian-Pilot
© January 24, 2009

Department stores throughout Hampton Roads and the United States are paying penance with free cosmetics.

As part of a settlement of a class-action suit accusing 14 retailers of price fixing, they’re giving away $175 million in free products through Tuesday, or until supplies run out. They began handing out the free goods Jan. 20, according to the settlement Web site.

Make-up counters at stores including Dillard’s, Macy’s, Nordstrom and Bloomingdale’s are giving away moisturizers, perfumes, mascaras and other cosmetics worth about $20-$25.

The only caveat: the honor code. Only customers who purchased cosmetics from participating make-up counters such as Estee Lauder, Clinique and Lancome between 1994 and 2003 are eligible for the giveaway, but no proof of purchase is required.

Customers may receive one item each.

For more information, visit www.cosmeticssettlement.com.

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I wonder how many

Submitted by EvanJ on Mon, 01/26/2009 at 9:34 am.

I wonder how many people will have to be fired to cover that loss. $175 million is a lot of salaries.

The Pilot

Submitted by CJackCity on Sat, 01/24/2009 at 7:35 pm.

Yesterday's news tomorrow. . . .and they wonder why newspapers and losing out to the internet.

LOL, Janine

Submitted by winsliad on Sat, 01/24/2009 at 7:21 pm.

I would never have known about it if this article hadn't appeared, but it's a bit too late. Gee, thanks. I actually do qualify as I've been buying Clinique for 10 years. I went to Greenbrier Mall this afternoon. Dillard's was totally out and Macy's had only some Estee Lauder skin repair product left.

Honor Code?

Submitted by desert_divine on Sat, 01/24/2009 at 6:07 pm.

LOL... that's a laugh... you're giving away stuff that is relatively expensive and expect people to use an honor code?

Thanks for telling us in a timely manner!

Submitted by janineb70609 on Sat, 01/24/2009 at 10:00 am.

This offer started Jan.20.....today is Jan.24
Guess I will race right over to my local mall department store to be told all the free items were given out the morning of JAN 20TH!

Were you short news items and just needed an out of date filler item to fill space?