Parents, beware.
A new study is out from the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs showing toys geared for girls cost more than the almost-identical toys geared for boys.
Researchers compared almost a thousand different products with boy and girl versions. The products were virtually the same, except for their gender-specific packaging.
The study found the items for girls cost an average of 7 percent more than the items geared towards boys.
While the study involved stores in New York City, 41 Action News decided to investigate the matter in the Kansas City area.
Names of specific stores are being withheld due to privacy, but the findings were as follows:
- Store #1 – A gender-neutral scooter cost $29.92, while an almost-identical pink one with tassels cost $32.82.
- Store #2 – A dinosaur mobile cost around $50, while a very similar one with a “Frozen” princess theme cost around $55.
- Store website #3 – A gender-neutral kitchen set cost $138.99, while an almost-identical one featuring pastel colors cost $172.61.
Financial planner Kevin Taylor of Ameriprise Financial says if customers do not like the prices, there is something they can do about it.
“It can be as easy as deciding to buy the blue razor instead of the pink one,” said Taylor.
However, if you don’t want to give up your preference for pink, Taylor said consumers can band together to bring about change.
“The best way any consumer can arm them self is with more knowledge," he explained.
Taylor said by using social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, consumers can raise awareness of what they believe to be unjustified prices.
In this day and age, he said, awareness can be raised quickly.
“If you let consumers know, they will band together and there will be change."
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Tom Dempsey can be reached at tom.dempsey@kshb.com.
