Free?

I’ve been told my whole life that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably isn’t true to begin with. Therefore, when I heard the news that Dillard’s was giving away free makeup, I turned the channel. Yeah right, people are just handing out free products with names like Estee Lauder and Ralph Lauren at no charge. Then my husband told me about the offer.

Once again, I brushed off the news and assumed it was a media hoax. The next day my friend sent me a text and asked me if I got my free product at Dillard’s. She told me that she went last Tuesday night and got a big tub of Sarah Jessica Parker shower gel. Okay, enough of this doubt, I needed to take action.

First, I made a game plan, which included research. I Googled Dillard’s and the words “free” and “makeup.” I held my breath and pushed enter. Immediately, 144,000 hits appeared on my screen. (I’ve come to believe that if you can Google something, it must be true). A report out of Reno said the massive giveaway started when the cosmetics industry was sued by several women from Northern California.

The women accused the industry for allegedly price-fixing their products and over-charging customer for about a decade. According to the report, the department stores and makeup companies denied the claim, but eventually settled the case in court. The settlement demanded that the companies involved give away $175 million in free products. At this point, I’m still thinking there is a catch, because $175 million worth of mascara and perfume excites and exhausts me!

According to the settlement, if a person bought make-up at a department store between 1994 and 2003, he or she would most likely qualify. All someone had to do to receive a free make-up product was sign a petition saying that you bought a make-up product from the participating stores, including Dillard’s and Macy’s during that period. At this point, I’m in my car and heading to Park Plaza.

I decided to go after work to beat the rush. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a herd of angry women rushing into Dillard’s demanding free merchandise. There was short line and a pleasant lady with a clipboard. I looked to the head of the line and to my dismay, only saw two products to choose from. My little Chanel heart just sank.

After signing my name, I approached the table of free products and tried to smile. There was a pile of light blue boxes and a stack of oblong, white boxes. One container wiped away wrinkles, the other promised a moisture surge. Honestly, this is not the atmosphere I expected. Everyone was calm, patient and happy with the lack of free products. I wanted to see trays of perfume, gold leafed bowls flowing with mascara and lipstick. Instead, I encountered a very pregnant Clinique saleswoman with a good attitude, who recommended the moisture surge.

I took my small box, smiled at the helpful woman and left the store. A couple days later I Googled the face cream and discovered that it retailed for around $35. A smile spread across my moisture surged face and established my belief that if something sounds to good to be true, Google it and then go.