80 Years of Subtle Sexism

[Stout]

How 's this for evidence women pay more for everything, and not by choice: http://www.businessinsider.com/pink-tax-makes-female-consumers-pay-more-2015-12

That article is based on the same study as the one you previously cited. The one I did my own research on based on the links embedded in the PDF linked to in that article as well as my own online shopping research.

It looks like the study had wanted their conclusions first then set out to find some data to back them up. Try it yourself, you'll soon find that the links don't make it easy to confirm the study's findings.

One thing that's weird in the CBS article is this quote from Department of Consumer Affairs Commissioner Julie Menin.

“We sent letters to the CFEOs all of the manufacturers asking them to change this pricing,” Menin said.

They sent letters to the manufacturers ? why on earth would they do that rather than send letters to the retailers ? If I can find both the men's and women's version of the same shampoo ( VO5 ) at a different retailer from the one cited in the study then that's evidence that the manufacturers are wholesaling the product for the same price with the retailers being the parties that are responsible for the price "differences".

 

[TragicMonkey]

I would expect the price of a product to be higher for one sex when the product in question is usually culturally geared to the opposite sex, because the sellers would hope inexperienced buyers and a niche market would permit raising prices. There's probably also money to be had from both sexes who are embarrassed to buy a unisex product sold in packaging geared toward the opposite sex. Hand lotion is the same for everyone, but I'd wager men would prefer not to buy it in pink bottles with flowers on, and may pay extra not to do so.

 

[Stout]

the pink girls bike versus the blue boys bike. There is no reason the pink items should cost more, I'm pretty sure whatever makes it pink isn't significantly more expensive than whatever makes it blue.

You need to find those examples in the actual study, (It was a green bike, not a blue one if you're referring to the the CBS article) then go do a little comparison shopping of your own to see if this is some sort of trend or merely a snapshot of one item in one store on one day. Are the items the study claims are identical really identical or they only kinda sorta look the same.

Link to study...PDF file

 

[truethat]

You need to find those examples in the actual study, (It was a green bike, not a blue one if you're referring to the the CBS article) then go do a little comparison shopping of your own to see if this is some sort of trend or merely a snapshot of one item in one store on one day. Are the items the study claims are identical really identical or they only kinda sorta look the same.

Link to study...PDF file

Girls can't ride blue bikes. Their delicate feet can't work the pedals and they always chip their nail polish on the handlebars.

I say this as a mom who had a son walking around in Pink Dora the Explorer shoes when he was little because he liked pink and and liked Dora. I was actually happy because they were $5 cheaper than the Spiderman ones that were exactly the same.


People need to stop blaming buying decisions and personal choices on "sexism in the industry"


ETA seems the shoe prices are holding steady


http://www.amazon.com/Nickelodeon-D...ords=dora+the+explorer+light+up+toddler+shoes

Nickelodeon Dora The Explorer Athletic Shoe (Toddler)
5 out of 5 stars 12 customer reviews
List Price: $34.99
Price: $29.99 & FREE Returns on some sizes and colors. Details
You Save: $5.00 (14%)

http://www.amazon.com/Stride-Rite-U...14703&sr=8-3&keywords=spiderman+toddler+shoes

Stride Rite Ultimate Spider-Man Light-Up Sneaker (Toddler/Little Kid)
4.4 out of 5 stars 17 customer reviews
List Price: $56.00
Price: $20.19 - $55.95 & FREE Returns. Details
Sale: Lower price available on select options
Fit: As expected (71%)
Special Size:

 

[TragicMonkey]

We could do our own study. We're a geographically diverse bunch. Next time we each go shopping, let's make note of some product pricing. I suggest looking at items that are used by both sexes but marketed separately to each with gender-specific differences.

 

[truethat]

Amazon would be a good place to do it. But there's also a marketing campaign for PINK that ties into it. It's a total rip off played up as a Breast Cancer Awareness movement. I think they must thank their lucky stars they claimed the PINK ribbon first.

People have preferences for colors and whatnot and it's not sexism. It's business. If you see draw and a willingness for people to pay more, you up the price.

 

[Magrat]

Amazon would be a good place to do it. But there's also a marketing campaign for PINK that ties into it. It's a total rip off played up as a Breast Cancer Awareness movement. I think they must thank their lucky stars they claimed the PINK ribbon first.

People have preferences for colors and whatnot and it's not sexism. It's business. If you see draw and a willingness for people to pay more, you up the price.

Speaking of the pink ribbon, just because something has a pink ribbon and even says breast cancer awareness doesn't mean they are raising money for research or anything. That's a common misconception. It usually means they're aware stuff with pink ribbons sell more.

 

[truethat]

Speaking of the pink ribbon, just because something has a pink ribbon and even says breast cancer awareness doesn't mean they are raising money for research or anything. That's a common misconception. It usually means they're aware stuff with pink ribbons sell more.

We all know that already dear.

That's why this study is skewed anyway. Many women buy for the pink ribbons so the marketing of things PINK are targeting those customers.

A better comparison would be the same product. Without gender specifications. Is it more expensive to buy a pink lap top versus a blue one?

You can't compare products with different marketing rules. There's a reason that the Spiderman sneakers are more expensive. It's not sexism.

 

[Stout]

Amazon would be a good place to do it. But there's also a marketing campaign for PINK that ties into it. It's a total rip off played up as a Breast Cancer Awareness movement. I think they must thank their lucky stars they claimed the PINK ribbon first.

People have preferences for colors and whatnot and it's not sexism. It's business. If you see draw and a willingness for people to pay more, you up the price.

Is that what that's all about ?

I see women walking around in tops emblazoned with the word PINK yet, curiously, the tops aren't pink at all. I'll see a black top with the word printed in grey, or some such colour combination.

 

[Myriad]

At my warehouse club I buy the pink-tinted "women's" shaving gel because it's cheaper for larger containers than the green-tinted "men's" of the same company and brand. In this case, buyers of the "men's" product pay extra for the high-tech emphasis on the packaging (shiny chrome and black canisters, and phrases like "advanced formula" which go along with being more expensive to pay for all that advancement).

In general, the pattern seems to be that men pay more for the things men are stupid about, and women pay more for the things women are stupid about. And marketers are very good at discovering which is which.

 

[TragicMonkey]

Is that what that's all about ?

I see women walking around in tops emblazoned with the word PINK yet, curiously, the tops aren't pink at all. I'll see a black top with the word printed in grey, or some such colour combination.

And I've seen many buttocks emblazoned with the word 'Juicy' despite the buttocks in question appearing as a sere and desolate wasteland the likes of which would plunge experienced Sahara or Gobi explorers into the uttermost depths of despair. There is little truth to be found in advertising, and truly juicy rears are as rare as gemstones.

 

[truethat]

At my warehouse club I buy the pink-tinted "women's" shaving gel because it's cheaper for larger containers than the green-tinted "men's" of the same company and brand. In this case, buyers of the "men's" product pay extra for the high-tech emphasis on the packaging (shiny chrome and black canisters, and phrases like "advanced formula" which go along with being more expensive to pay for all that advancement).

In general, the pattern seems to be that men pay more for the things men are stupid about, and women pay more for the things women are stupid about. And marketers are very good at discovering which is which.

Good example. There seems to be a whole lot of marketing campaigns for companies that used to make women's products now marketing to men with bold silver, black or gray packaging.

http://www.amazon.com/Dove-Care-Sil...83&sr=8-2-fkmr2&keywords=dove+women+deodorant

The men's is more expensive than just regular deodorant without the gender specifics.

http://www.amazon.com/Dove-Fresh-An...83&sr=8-3-fkmr2&keywords=dove+women+deodorant

 

[Myriad]

Good example. There seems to be a whole lot of marketing campaigns for companies that used to make women's products now marketing to men with bold silver, black or gray packaging.

http://www.amazon.com/Dove-Care-Sil...83&sr=8-2-fkmr2&keywords=dove+women+deodorant

The men's is more expensive than just regular deodorant without the gender specifics.

http://www.amazon.com/Dove-Fresh-An...83&sr=8-3-fkmr2&keywords=dove+women+deodorant

Yeah. At first I thought that was about changing habits, as in, "If I'm going to be talked into using face moisturizer, it's at least going to be Turbo Octane Ion-Active Linebacker Cold Steel Special Forces moisturizer and not some girly stuff." But deodorant and shaving cream started out as predominantly men's products, and they're doing it too.

 

[Magrat]

Is that what that's all about ?

I see women walking around in tops emblazoned with the word PINK yet, curiously, the tops aren't pink at all. I'll see a black top with the word printed in grey, or some such colour combination.

That's Victoria's secret brand.

 

[Magrat]

And I've seen many buttocks emblazoned with the word 'Juicy' despite the buttocks in question appearing as a sere and desolate wasteland the likes of which would plunge experienced Sahara or Gobi explorers into the uttermost depths of despair. There is little truth to be found in advertising, and truly juicy rears are as rare as gemstones.

Perhaps we define things differently, as I wouldn't want a juicy rear, nor would I advertise if mine were. I'd shuffle quickly to the restroom.

 

[truethat]

You know Amazon is pretty nifty to look at for this stuff. It actually tells you how much it costs per ounce.

So women's classic Dove deodorant.

Dove Anti-Perspirant Deodorant, Original Clean 2.6 oz, Twin Pack
by Dove
$4.47($0.86/Ounce)Prime

Men's big ol' silvery manhood deodorant


Dove Men+Care Cool Silver Antiperspirant & Deodorant, 2.7 Fl oz
by Dove
$4.79($1.77/Ounce)

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...women+deodorant&sprefix=dove+women,pantry,296


Seems like they are realizing the guys will fall for the same marketing ploy. LOL

 

[TragicMonkey]

You know Amazon is pretty nifty to look at for this stuff. It actually tells you how much it costs per ounce.

So women's classic Dove deodorant.

Dove Anti-Perspirant Deodorant, Original Clean 2.6 oz, Twin Pack
by Dove
$4.47($0.86/Ounce)Prime

Men's big ol' silvery manhood deodorant


Dove Men+Care Cool Silver Antiperspirant & Deodorant, 2.7 Fl oz
by Dove
$4.79($1.77/Ounce)

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_s...women+deodorant&sprefix=dove+women,pantry,296


Seems like they are realizing the guys will fall for the same marketing ploy. LOL

Do they smell the same, though? I think it'd be better to compare products that are purely functional and bear no other attributes. For example, hair-removal wax strips. A product more commonly used by women, with different packaging for marketing to men, but the same exact functionality with no other side effects such as scent.

 

[Magrat]

Do they smell the same, though? I think it'd be better to compare products that are purely functional and bear no other attributes. For example, hair-removal wax strips. A product more commonly used by women, with different packaging for marketing to men, but the same exact functionality with no other side effects such as scent.

Or rogaine. Monoxidil is the same for men or women.

 

[truethat]

Do they smell the same, though? I think it'd be better to compare products that are purely functional and bear no other attributes. For example, hair-removal wax strips. A product more commonly used by women, with different packaging for marketing to men, but the same exact functionality with no other side effects such as scent.

I tried to pick something plain that's why I went for Dove. But that's a good point.

Here's two razors


Price: $4.99 ($1.25 / Count)

http://www.amazon.com/BIC-Comfort-A...ie=UTF8&qid=1451318666&sr=8-4&keywords=razors

About the Product
Triple blade closeness
Textured handle for added control
Pivoting head for a comfortable shave
Lubricating strip with aloe & vitamin e
Each package contains four razors

Price: $5.47 ($1.37 / Count)

About the Product
Triple blade
Lavender scented handles WTF? LMAO
Sensitive skin
Lubricating strip with lanolin and vitamin e

http://www.amazon.com/BIC-Soleil-Tw...ie=UTF8&qid=1451318666&sr=8-3&keywords=razors

 

[Ziggurat]

If women want to pay more for lavender-scented handles, that's their own bloody fault.