Bad Batch?

I ordered off the ELF website a couple of months ago and the deal at the time was spend over $25 and you received a free palette. I received the Baked Eyeshadow called California. I am extremely disappointed with ELF and this palette, I will add that most of the products I have bought are excellent quality, effective and always surprised by the low cost.
I literally cannot get any powder on my brush (dry or wet) at all, also tried using the sponge tipped applicator and my finger with the same result. The only way I can get any powder, is to scrape off a few millimeters using a knife and still it's pigmentation is poor. Because it was free and a 'one-off' I did not send them an email, until I was talking to a friend of mine who also received the same palette and she had the same issues as me. We placed our orders with in a couple of weeks of one another, I am not sure if this was a bad batch, or if it is normally this poor of quality - I would be disappointed to think that ELF is giving them away because of this. Anyway, don't let this review paint a negative picture of the company and the products as a whole, just be wary if you are thinking of purchasing this specific palette.