Politically Correct Item Descriptions

[katzrul15]

It is time for me to list several Holiday Barbies (we split a pallet with another Seller) and I have 138 Barbies to list.

Mine are all assorted Holiday Barbies, minus 2.  

What do I use in the title for those that previously would have had AA in the title?  (AA used to be a fairly common search)

There appear to be 9 that are of orient reference - but 3 that vary.  So use......??

The (2) Barbies that are not "holiday" appear to be sort of princess-ey dolls, but have a Barbie logo.  Think Geisha-ish.  And I would call her.......??

Appears the drop-down menu will let me "add" whatever I wish to call them for "nationality".  

Thoughts, suggestions?  Just don't use one and make people guess?  Just call them all Barbie and be done with it?  

[simba6]

I wonder how much longer Barbie will be "correct"? While not as over the top as chief Wahoo, her days could too be numbered.

[katzrul15]

Part of the reason I ask, is when listing a "barbie" doll, e-Bay asks you to complete "nationality".

AA (african american) is still a choice.  I used to put AA in the title, but have not in quite some time since having a buyer really upset about it.

And "asian" seems really broad, but is also an e-Bay choice.  

I do find it "odd" that e-Bay still has the same choices as before as a "search" item specific.  But I am tempted to just type in "does not apply"?

And I agree about "barbie"......maybe her time is about up - except I split a pallet and need to get them listed.  🙃

[katzrul15]

---

@wastingtime101 wrote:

I looked at the Mattel website to see how they're handling the new woke culture. They don't mention anything in their doll titles other than hair color. They don't have search filters to choose based on coloring or body type. You're supposed to use the photos to choose a doll you like instead of search filters. The description of every doll says the product line offers a wide array of skin tones, body types, accessories (like wheelchairs) and hair colors.

I suppose that's the PC way to do it? But that's not going to help you with eBay search. I don't know what the proper answer is, but I'm giving your thread a boost and hope someone else can help.

Did you sift through sold Barbies from the last couple months to see how they were listed and what titles/specifics were used? That's probably a good starting point.

---

@wastingtime101 

I did look at "solds" and terapeak and also the current ones listed.  It appears most Sellers have abandoned the AA usage, etc.  The "ethnic" suggestion is a good one, but still seems like it would offend?  

So am guessing............Holiday Barbie, the Year and say Blonde or Brunette.......

[wastingtime101 · Accepted solution]

That's the direction I would lean Kat Lady. Unless you see an overwhelming use of words like "Asian" or "Black" in sold listings, then figure that time has passed and go the route Mattel has.

Holiday Barbie Brunette with Red Plaid Dress

Simple and clean - let the photos do the talking on this one.

[a_c_green]

---

@monroe67 wrote:

If they were mine, I would use as a main photo a very, very good and flattering and accurate picture of each doll's face, showing the hair style, and then photos of the full doll.

---

I once photographed some dolls for a listing elsewhere, a Cher doll and a couple of Charlie's Angels dolls, and posed them looking straight at the camera, at eye level. I have to say that the effect was so good that it creeped me out when I came across the photos later on... there's that very brief moment when you lock eyes on the photo and the "eyes" that are looking back at you, and your brain does a quick flip-flop over whether you're looking at a real person. This doesn't happen so much with generic or cartoonish dolls, but these were created to resemble the real people they were modeled on, and these were really good likenesses.

---

@monroe67 wrote:

 In other words, trying to focus on the beauty of the product rather than label any colors or styles.  

---

Agreed, although I would definitely add item specifics that include the exact words on the packaging that were used to describe the doll. Collectors will be searching for those phrases.

[wastingtime101]

---

@katzrul15 wrote:

The (2) Barbies that are not "holiday" appear to be sort of princess-ey dolls, but have a Barbie logo.  Think Geisha-ish.  And I would call her.......??

---

Barbie 2003 Brunette Floral Kimono Obi Fan Doll of the World Princess Japan

Barbie 2007 Brunette Floral Kimono Obi Fan Doll of the World Japan New Year

Barbie Maiko 2005 Brunette Floral Kimono Obi Umbrella Gold Label Japanese

Something like that for an item title. There appear to be a few different Geisha-style Barbies. ID the doll and go from there. Use the Mattel collection name.

[katzrul15]

---

@a_c_green wrote:

---

@monroe67 wrote:

If they were mine, I would use as a main photo a very, very good and flattering and accurate picture of each doll's face, showing the hair style, and then photos of the full doll.

---

I once photographed some dolls for a listing elsewhere, a Cher doll and a couple of Charlie's Angels dolls, and posed them looking straight at the camera, at eye level. I have to say that the effect was so good that it creeped me out when I came across the photos later on... there's that very brief moment when you lock eyes on the photo and the "eyes" that are looking back at you, and your brain does a quick flip-flop over whether you're looking at a real person. This doesn't happen so much with generic or cartoonish dolls, but these were created to resemble the real people they were modeled on, and these were really good likenesses.

---

@monroe67 wrote:

 In other words, trying to focus on the beauty of the product rather than label any colors or styles.  

---

Agreed, although I would definitely add item specifics that include the exact words on the packaging that were used to describe the doll. Collectors will be searching for those phrases.

---

They just say Holiday Barbie and the year - no additional descriptors.  

[wastingtime101]

---

@katzrul15 wrote:

---

They just say Holiday Barbie and the year - no additional descriptors.  

---

I just PMd you a link for Holiday Barbies. See if those dolls match what you have. It should give you a good base to work off of.

[popblox]

I sell a ton of dolls from all races/nationalities, but I never put the race in the title. The item specifics ask for 'Ethnicity' (instead of race), so I always fill that in w/ African American, Caucasian, etc. If I don't know for sure, I just use the option 'Multiracial'.

I frequently get orders for multiples of dolls with the same ethnicity, so it seems like buyers at least know how to use the right filters to get what they want (in dolls anyway). I don't sell Barbies though, so those buyers might have different expectations.

It doesn't really matter if it is/isn't PC, it's more about whether or not it'll sell. From a fellow doll seller, I wouldn't put the race/ethnicity in the title. Doll collectors know what they're looking for and they know how to find it - a listing that has the ethnicity in the title, item specifics, and description can be off-putting to some because it kinda over emphasizes/calls too much attention to the fact that it's not 'white'.

As for the Geisha-ish doll - Geisha is a specific high class profession, considered traditional and respectable. I don't think the term itself is racially insensitive, rather how appropriately it's used. Does she have the white makeup/kimono? If so, I would put something like 'Geisha Style Inspired Barbie Princess w/ Kimono' in the title, then Japanese/Asian American as the ethnicity.

[eleanor*rigby]

Being just out of the age range for Barbies, I thought  the "AA" your first post was referring to "Alcoholics Anonymous." I thought that was pretty woke of Mattel . . .

[femmefan1946]

It's been my experience that those who are angry that they can't use quasi-racist terms any more are more likely to complain about SJW/woke culture than those in the SJW/woke culture are to complain about the quasi-racist terms.

[katzrul15]

---

@eleanor*rigby wrote:

Being just out of the age range for Barbies, I thought  the "AA" your first post was referring to "Alcoholics Anonymous." I thought that was pretty woke of Mattel . . .

---

Oh my goodness, that is hysterical!!

Please do not give Mattel any ideas!!! 

[katzrul15]

---

@wastingtime101 wrote:

---

@katzrul15 wrote:

---

They just say Holiday Barbie and the year - no additional descriptors.  

---

I just PMd you a link for Holiday Barbies. See if those dolls match what you have. It should give you a good base to work off of.

---

Your link is SO helpful.  Wish it could be posted here as it is perfect.  Mattel has removed ALL usual identifiers.

I will say, calling the former AA doll Brunette with Curly hair is an interesting choice, yet accurate.  Would think someone might find that offensive, so I might pass on the "curly" description.

Thank you again - I searched so many places - did not think "mattel"!!!

[katzrul15]

It does not have a white face, but does have everything else.  Thanks for the insight on using the item specifics that e-Bay supplies that are still politically incorrect, but evidently dictate search. 

Wow.  So very complicated!  But...want to get this correct.  Goal is to not offend anyone, intentionally.  But, do want to be found in search!

ETA: True die-hard Barbie collectors are all about the collection, the "box" etc.  I usually put a disclaimer in the description as the boxes are not "pristine" enough for many collectors.  These are not "fresh" from a factory case.  I thought these were supposed to be ToysRUs exclusives, but it does not say that.  Some of the outer brown boxes have ToysRUs shipping labels, so likely not exclusive to them, just shipped to their warehouses before they went under.

[richard1rst]

---

@femmefan1946 wrote:

It's been my experience that those who are angry that they can't use quasi-racist terms any more are more likely to complain about SJW/woke culture than those in the SJW/woke culture are to complain about the quasi-racist terms.

---

I'm not quite sure what you are saying.  All of the terms I used in my message were, I believe, socially acceptable proper terms. I do not make it a practice to use "quasi-racist" terms even though I have observed that many in particular groups do use them to describe themselves.  Check out the bar scene from Rush Hour (assuming you can find an uncensored version).

I don't complain about the "woke" culture even though I do find some of their pronouncements ridiculous. I can not call my sister a mother, I have to use "birthing parent". As if a birthing parent could be anything but a mother.  Or did I misunderstand your intent?