Big retailers price black, white Barbies differently

cnbc.com ^ | Dec. 9, 2014 | Katie Little

[PROCON]

Why are black Barbies priced differently than white Barbies?

It's a tough question and one that some of America's biggest retailers are having to answer amid the biggest shopping time of the year.

For example, Tuesday afternoon Wal-Mart's website listed an African-American ice skater Barbie for $11.87 while the Caucasian version costs just $9.88.

The retailing giant said the pricing discrepancy was an unintended error.

"They should always be the same price, across all ethnicities," a Wal-Mart spokesman said Tuesday evening. "This is just a pricing error. We corrected it immediately."

[molson209]

Well have you ever seen one ?

[Bob]

It has already, hasn’t it?

[Fester Chugabrew]

I think it’ll be a keeper anyway.

[MuttTheHoople]

They’d have been called “wacist” if it was cheaper.

[Will88]

I didn’t know African-Americans could skate ?

A few have come along:

Debi Thomas

[tomkat]

*FIST*

             

[Fester Chugabrew]

At least Ken’s last name ain’t Johnson.

[PROCON]

Well have you ever seen one ?

Shani Davis

[left that other site]

You mean...It’s Twoo?

[UCANSEE2]

Black paint costs more than white paint.

[Bullish]

You mean welfare queen Barbie isn’t as pricey?

[PROCON]

Black paint costs more than white paint.

Well, there you go, more BIG PAINTSTORE racism; we need a Congressional Hearing...

[UCANSEE2]

Let’s go lay down in front of the Barbie Display and play dead.

[lakecumberlandvet]

African-Americans? I don’t even know any African-Americans. Most of the people I know, black, white or otherwise, are Americans. Born in America just like me. Only a couple of people I know have even been to Africa. And they’re white. Maybe I can be a European-American. After all, my ancestors came from Europe. But I wasn’t born in Europe. Heck, I’ve never even been to Europe. So I don’t think I can be hyphenated. I guess I’m stuck with just being an American. Oh well.

[Bullish]

Oops, figged it was the other way around but that just wouldn’t be PC now would it?

[PROCON]

Let’s go lay down in front of the Barbie Display and play dead.

ROTFLMAO, 2nd keyboard I lost tonight...

[Bullish]

And to think you’re insensitive enough to talk like that right before the holy celebration of Kwanza.

[UCANSEE2]

we need a Congressional Hearing...

Is Sandra Fluke busy ?

[willywill]

“I could see the black Ken doll being priced a bit ‘larger’.........”

I’m hoping that’s not true

[UCANSEE2]

I don’t even know any African-Americans.

Obama. He's from Africa. I don't know about the 'American' part though. That might be pushing it.