CINCINNATI, Dec. 11 (UPI) -- Target and Walmart said they have adjusted the price of black Barbie dolls after complaints about them being priced higher than the white versions.
Warren Johnson of Cincinnati said he was looking for a Barbie doll for his daughter on Target's website when he discovered the Barbie Fashion Design Maker Doll was priced at $23.49 while the Barbie Fashion Design Maker African-American Doll was $49.99.
Whats wrong with this picture? @WCPO #smhtarget pic.twitter.com/s7D7x9332Y
— Coach J (@jayven07) December 7, 2014"It kind of rubbed me the wrong way in light of all the things going on in our society right now," Johnson told WCPO-TV.
Johnson said he called Target customer service in Minnesota and was told the price difference was an error. He said he was offered the African-American version of the doll at the lower price.
Target issued a statement to WCPO.
"Both dolls should have reflected the same pricing, however, due to a systems issue this change did not occur. We appreciate you bringing this discrepancy to our attention and have since adjusted the pricing and product detail listing," the company said.
Both dolls were listed on the website Monday at $20.99.
Meanwhile, Walmart gave a similar explanation Tuesday for why the African-American version of the Barbie I Can Be a Skater doll was listed on the chain's website at $11.87 while the Caucasian version was $9.98.
"They should always be the same price, across all ethnicities," a Walmart spokesman told CNBC. "This is just a pricing error. We corrected it immediately."
Walmart said customers who overpaid for the African-American doll would be reimbursed with gift cards.
