Jan 2, 2009 5:00 pm US/Pacific
Cosmetics Giveway Set for January 20th
High End Makeup Manufacturers Pay $175 Million Settlement
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS 5) ―
Starting January 20th, for up to a week while supplies last, $175 million in free cosmetics will be given away to anyone who says they purchased from major department stores between 1994 and 2003.
Manufacturers involved in the settlement include Boucheron, Chanel, Clarins, Estee Lauder, L'Oreal, and others. Consumers can receive one product valued at about $20 regardless of how many items they may have purchased during the settlement window.
The original lawsuit claimed manufacturers and retailers set prices too high and conspired to never offer discounts. The defendants never admitted to wrongdoing, but agreed to the $175 million payout as legal fees mounted during the long legal proceedings.
Attorney William Abbott was hoping his clients who included frequent customers would benefit. Instead, he believes it'll be a free-for-all. "A class action case where the actual harmed consumers are never identified doesn't make a lot of sense," said Abbott.
In reality anyone can show up for the giveaway at department stores including Macy's, Neiman Marcus, Saks, and Nordstrom to name a few.
Sandeep Sood is a frequent buyer of these high end brands so the settlement applies to him. "I'm not going to stand in line... absolutely not," said Sood.
Ironically, Abbott said the manufacturers and retailers may reap the most benefits - in foot traffic at a time they need it the most. "It's a good publicity stunt. The case has been going on for many years. The fact that they could hit the settlement at this particular time is uncanny."
Following is a list of the items that will be available starting January 20th. The items are first come first served. There will be no rainchecks. Each consumer is who is part of the class action settlement may receive one item.
Boucheron (USA) Ltd.: Femme Eau de Toilette (1 ounce/30 ml)
Chanel, Inc.: Coco Mademoiselle body lotion (3.4 fluid oz)
Christian Dior Perfumes, Inc.: J'Adore Eau de Parfum (15 ml)
Clarins U.S.A., Inc.: Clarins Energizing Morning Cream (30 ml) OR Clarins Beauty Flash Bomb (30 ml)
Conopco, Inc.: Calvin Klein Euphoria Bath and Shower Crème (6.7 oz)
OR Vera Wang Princess Body Polish (5 oz) OR Lovely Sarah Jessica Parker Shower Gel (6.7 oz)
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc.: Estée Lauder Advanced Night Repair (15 ml/0.5 oz) OR Clinique Moisture Surge (30 ml/1 oz)
Guerlain, Inc.: My Insolence Eau de Toilette (15 ml)
L'Oréal USA, Inc.: Lancôme UV Expert 20 OR Lancôme Cils Design Pro Mascara OR Lancôme Fatale Mascara OR Lancôme Courbe Virtuose Mascara OR Lancôme Primordial Skin Defense OR Ralph Lauren Romance Shower Gel (6.7 oz.) OR Giorgio Armani ACM Shower Gel (6.7 oz) OR Lancôme Hypnôse Shower Gel
Parfums Givenchy, Inc.: Very Irresistible Givenchy Eau de Toilette (15 ml).
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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