Bargain shoppers love to save money, but it looks like women may have the deck stacked against them.
Once again, gender-based price differences have been getting some attention. You might not worry too much about what you pay for deodorant or shampoo, but if you're a woman you are likely paying more than a man for very similar products.
Personal finance expert Andrea Woroch has noticed the difference.
"Women are paying more than men on the same types of products, daily toiletry items like deodorant, shaving cream, razors, and even dry cleaning."
This probably isn't the first time you've heard about the price discrepancy. Five years ago Consumer Reports showed us that women are paying more for those common toiletry items. In some cases, Consumer Reports said it found a difference of up to 50 percent.
"On a single shopping trip you may be only paying a couple dollars more, over time it really adds up," Woroch told Ruth to the Rescue.
Those dollars and cents do add up to quiet a large difference, almost $1,400 dollars a year for women.
The "Pink Tax" Debate
Some metro-Detroiters are aware of the price discrepancy and know about the colorful nickname.
"The Pink Tax is basically like pretty much a lot of female products are just more," said Sami Kerwin of Detroit. "I don't like it, I think it's just another way to get money out of us."
Ruth to the Rescue found some people who didn't know about the "Pink Tax", and it can be difficult to spot. As you may have noticed, men's and women's products are often sold in separate aisles, which makes price comparison difficult.
Our Ruth to the Rescue consumer unit took a trip to the Target in Allen Park and found some noticeable difference.
*Target's "Up and Up" brand two-in-one shampoo and conditioner for men is $3.99, while the women's version is $4.29.
*Men's Dove deodorant cost $3.89 and most of the women's deodorants cost $4.89, a full dollar more The women's deodorant not only cost more, but women get less product despite paying more. The women's deodorant contained just 2.6 ounces compared to the 3 ounces in the men's version.
*Degree deodorant's twin-pack for men cost $3.99, but the women's twin pack cost $7.39.
Woroch says companies are counting on women who, on average care more about their appearance.
"I think women are willing to pay more for personal care in general. They're willing to pay more to look good and feel good," she said.
Shopper Reaction
Ruth to the Rescue asked Target shoppers what they thought of the price differences and they were not happy.
"Its pure capitalism right there. They're trying to get more out of every person," says Michael Schenavar of Riverview.
Nancy DeMaria didn't understand why a price difference even existed. "My reaction is that they're trying to stick it to the women," she said.
"I don't like it. I think it's just another way to get money out of us, for things that we're supposed to use," said Sami Kerwin of Detroit.
Companies Respond
We reached out to Unilever, the maker of Dove and Degree about the products we purchased.
A company released a statement saying in part, "Retailers are free to set the prices at which they sell out products ... The products inquired about are in different product lines with different technologies, and therefore have varying suggested retail prices."
As for the Target brand shampoo, the retail giant says it's goal is to have competitive prices in whatever market it is in.
In a statement the retailer said "In this case the item's price likely reflects the price of a similar item at our competitors' stores in the same area."
Can You Avoid Paying More?
Is there anything you can do to avoid paying more? Several women say they cross gender lines to save a few bucks.
"I will buy men's shaving cream and men's razors," said personal finance expert Andrea Woroch.
Sam Kerwin of Detroit agrees, "I use men's razors now because I don't like spending $15 to $20 on razors, cause it's just a little bit ridiculous."
"I would probably consider buying men's products, provided they were odorless," says DeMaria.
There's also the option of flexing your consumer muscle and demanding changes from the companies who set the prices, both manufacturers and retailers.
"You can write to the brands and to the companies that you like to use their products, and tell them that you're not really happy with the price difference and you're noticing," says personal finance expert Andrea Woroch.