Barbie Talking
Discount the Talk
The pinnacle of the festival season – Diwali – is just a week away and there is a lot of discounts, exchange schemes out there trying to entice shoppers. It goes without saying that if they have managed to discount a washing machine (and pretty much everything else) for you, then the usual maximum retail price (MRP) is really about making money at a bigger margin, all at your expense.
The smart shoppers always come out in hordes around major festive seasons. In India, it roughly starts from the month of August and lasts until October. Abroad, the Thanksgiving and Christmas shopping binges are when the major sales happen. This period should be labeled the smart shopping season.
Ever wondered though, how some retailers in India might be undercutting brands? Let’s take the example of clothing brands like Barbie and Lilliput, which have dedicated stores in upscale malls like Atria (in Mumbai) and possibly elsewhere in India. I’ve noticed that some large supermarkets and hypermarkets that retail these brands will offer a discount to coincide with the single format stores and actually plug their sales as if it were something unique.
Seen those advertisements enticing you with ‘Up to 50% off on Barbie clothing’? Well, around the same time, the brand itself is having an up to 75% sale attheir in-house store. But in the shopping frenzy of buying everything from groceries, toiletries, stationery and food, people tend to do their clothes shopping in the very same place for convenience sake. So, the bigger sale discount offer on at the other branded store is hardly ever noticed.
I’ve actually visited a supermarket chain and a single format brand store in the same week, during a sale period and witnessed the stark difference. One is empty with sales staff trying to summon up enthusiasm to work through the day and the other is doing roaring business with people stepping on each other’s toes, trying to grab at stuff. Guess which is the successful one and which just got stiffed?
After observing this for a while, I’ve often wondered if I could walk into the supermarket and buy a pair of Barbie jeans for my neighbour’s cute little girl and ask them to give me the original brand discount of “up to 75%” and then tack on what they are offering of “up to 50%” and walk off with a whopping 125% discount on those jeans?
Realistically, depending on what I buy, let’s say I get 50% off from the brand (instead of the entire mythical 75%) and an additional say 30% off (instead of the entire 50% that’s being touted by the supermarket), then I still should get 80% off right? Well, it’s elementary math but not cool marketing from the supermarket management’s perspective and they never pass on this discount that the brand is anyway offering in the first place.
Otherwise, I would pick up those jeans, if priced at Rs 2,000 MRP prior to the sale, with the cool 80% off (if given) I would pay only Rs 400! Without this grand discount, at the supermarket chain, I’m paying (at 30% off) Rs 1,400. Meanwhile, I stand to pay less at the luxury store selling this brand exclusively during the sale period because it works out to Rs 1,000 at the 50% discounted rate value.
Not many people realize this and if they do, they are not questioning the wisdom of the great discount talk that is happening in these places. I wonder why? It’s your money and your right to ask pertinent and relevant questions, especially if your kids insist on using only branded merchandise. Without knowing it, you might be actually helping in undercutting the brand’s snob value, for the very things you buy with so much pride…and at such expense.
About the Author
I own a website for second hand things in India called www.seconddealnsteal.com. It’s an e-listing service for bargain deals. For more on me Google me or my site and find out!
What is the song where the girl is talking about not being a Barbie and living in a dollhouse?
Lol.
Help!!
I’ve been hearing it on the radio a ton but i don’t know what it’s called.
“Dollhouse” – Priscilla Renea
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT7GuYLpCLE
Talking Barbie Commercial 1968
|
|
Barbie Talking Townhouse Playset Mattel (2001) New MISB $569.05 |
|
|
BARBIE TALKING TOWNHOUSE/40 DOLLS/RED CAR/BIKE/SCOOTER $390.99 |
|
|
Barbie #1115 1968 MIB Talking Barbie Brunette Mute $399.95 |
|
|
Barbie #1115 1968 MIB Talking Barbie Blonde Mute $399.95 |
|
|
Vintage Barbie Sears Exclusive Talking Barbie Doll Dinner Dazzle Gift Set #1551 $399.99 |
|
|
*RARE* Vintage MOD 1970 TALKING BRAD (AA) #1114 Christie’s BF Barbie_NRFB $380.00 |
|
|
Vintage Barbie: 1969 Talking Barbie Stock no 1115 NRFB & MINT DOLL & BOX $364.99 |
|
|
Talking Ken #1111 1968 In Bold Gold #1436 1970 He Talks! Mod Vintage Barbie $349.95 |
|
|
Vintage Mod Barbie Ken NEW TALKING BRAD #1114 NRFB MIB MINT *RARE* Christie´s BF $329.00 |
|
|
New Talking Brad #1114 1969 Barbie Mod Vintage $339.95 |
|
|
Barbie #1126 1970 MIB Talking Christie $299.95 |
|
|
Talking Ken 1969 #1111 In Casual Scene #1472 Mod Barbie Vintage $249.95 |
|
|
Barbie Dolls Doris Day And Rock Hudson Pillow Talk 2011 $158.36 |
|
|
Vintage Blond 1967 Talking Barbie all intact w/ original ribbons $199.00 |
|
|
BARBIE ELECTRONIC TOWNHOUSE W/VOICE & LIGHTING TALKS! $190.00 |
|
|
RARE NIB Teen Talk Ik Praat Met Je Dutch Barbie Foreign $191.25 |
|
|
BARBIE SEARS EXCLUSIVE TALKING KEN FABULOUS GURUVY FORMAL GIFT SET & RARE! $199.99 |
|
|
RARE NIB Teen Talk Ik Praat Met Je Dutch Barbie Foreign $180.00 |
|
|
1968 Talking Barbie Brownette NICE $185.00 |
|
|
Vintage Brownette 1967 Talking Barbie all intact w/ original ribbons $175.00 |
|
|
TALKING BUSY BARBIE 1971 STOCK 1195 MIB NRFB EXCELLENT! $179.99 |
|
|
VINTAGE TALKING BARBIE PRETTY FACE MOD 1966 TAKE A L@@K! NO WAIT BUY IT NOW $165.00 |
|
|
Lot of 3 vintage talking christie, talking barbie and talking PJ-clear out price $147.49 |
|
|
#2083 NRFB Mattel Foreign SAMPLE Te Parle French Super Talk Barbie Doll $170.00 |
|
|
Vintage Talking Brad Doll Mute 1971 Ken & Barbie Doll Pal Original Outfit $149.99 |
|
|
NIB BARBIE DOLL 1969 TALKING KEN $152.99 |
|
|
Vtg 1968 Talking JULIA (Barbie) NRFB ~ Box is Sealed ~ Diahann Carroll $149.99 |
|
|
RARE NRFB Teen Talk Dulces Palabras Barbie Foreign $143.99 |
|
|
DARK BRUNETTE TALKING BARBIE W/ SWIMSUIT & ORIG COVERUP $149.99 |
|
|
VINTAGE MOD STACEY BARBIE DOLL TALKING TNT w/ TWINKLE TOGGS $124.99 |
|
|
vintage barbie Talking Ken with bendable legs with wrist tag and box VHTF $125.99 |
|
|
VINTAGE BARBIE 1969 JULIA MOD TALKING DOLL STILL TALKS WITH WRIST TAG MINTY DOLL $134.99 |
|
|
DISNEY STORE MY SIZE TALKING PRINCESS ARIEL LITTLE MERMAID DOLL 37 “ TAL $120.75 |
|
|
VINTAGE BARBIE DOLL TALKING JULIA IN ORIGINAL BOX ORIGINAL OUTFIT WRIST TAG $130.00 |
|
|
GORGEOUS PLATINUM BLONDE SIDE PONYTAIL TALKING BARBIE HEAD ORIG ELASTICS & BOWS! $125.00 |
|
|
VINTAGE GO GO COCOA BRUNETTE TALKING BARBIE IN ORIGINAL SWIMSUIT $125.99 |
|
|
Barbie TALK WITH ME BARBIE 1997 CD ROM Windows Barbie talks & mouth moves MINT $100.00 |
|
|
Barbie Pillow Talk Giftset Doris Day Rock Hudson NRFB $109.99 |
|
|
RARE NRFB Teen Talk A Propos Barbie Foreign $112.49 |
|
|
Huge Vintage Mod Barbie Lot Talking & Free Moving Barbie,Case, Clothes & More EX $119.99 |
|
|
BARBIE TALKING FOLD UP TOWNHOUSE with BATTERIES $119.00 |
|
|
VINTAGE 1994 MCDONALDS TALKING DRIVE -THRU RESTAURANT BARBIE DOLL PLAYSET NEW $100.99 |
|
|
PILLOW TALK GIFTSET 2011 $99.99 |
|
|
NIB BARBIE DOLL 1994 MCDONALDS TALKING DRIVE-THRU RESTAURANT $89.99 |
|
|
Mattel 2nd Mod Talking Barbie doll and WOW! SHE TALKS Groovy!! $89.99 |
|
|
GORGEOUS LIGHT BROWN SIDE PONYTAIL TALKING BARBIE HEAD ORIG ELASTICS & BOWS! $95.00 |
|
|
VHTF NRFB TALK WITH ME BARBIE FOR COMPUTER 1997 $74.99 |
|
|
1967 ORIGINAL VINTAGE BRUNETTE TALKING BARBIE $84.99 |
|
|
2011 Pillow Talk Giftset $79.99 |
|
|
Mattel 1st Mod Talking P.J. Barbie doll and WOW! PJ TALKS Groovy!! $79.99 |
|
|
NEW BARBIE SERAFINA INTERACTIVE TALKING CAT FRENCH MINT MIB $59.97 |
|
|
Talk with Me Barbie playset includes CD new 1997 NRFB $73.80 |
|
|
2011 Doris Day & Rock Hudson “Pillow Talk” Giftset $75.99 |
|
|
BARBIE DOROTHY TALKING BARBIE 1999 DOLL NEW SEALED IN BOX $69.95 |
|
|
NRFB DENTIST Blonde Barbie & Brunette Patient (1997) Per Box Barbie Talks! $69.95 |
|
|
“WORKING WOMAN.” BARBIE.. TALKING DOLL. NIB.. $69.95 |
|
|
*SOLD OUT*2011 CELEBRITY DOLL COLLECTION: PILLOW TALK GIFTSET BARBIE*NIB-NRFB* $80.00 |
|
|
TALK WITH ME BARBIE DOLL w/CD INTERACTIVE SET – NIB-b68 $79.99 |
|
|
NEW! 2011 “PILLOW TALK” ROCK HUDSON & DORIS DAY BARBIE DOLLS $69.99 |
|
|
2011 PILLOW TALK GIFTSET DORIS DAY & ROCK HUDSON $64.99 |
|
|
TALKING BARBIE: Mod talking PJ -she talks! In original mini with hair beads $68.00 |
|
|
vintage barbie Talking nape curl blonde beautiful face $69.99 |
|
|
“Pillow Talk” Starring Doris Day and Rock Hudson***Barbie Pink Label $69.00 |
|
|
BARBIE 1997 “TALK WITH ME” , TALKING BARBIE DOLL $49.99 |
|
|
Barbie Collector Pillow Talk: Doris Day And Rock Hudson Doll Gift Set $64.99 |
|
|
The Osbourne Family Ozzy Talking Doll NRFB MIB $64.99 |
|
|
BARBIE “Talk of the Town” , 2003 Special Edition,# B6376 , NRFB $65.99 |
|
|
Barbie Collector Pink Label Doris Day Rock Hudson Pillow Talk Set 2011 NIP New $72.99 |
|
|
BARBIE TALK OF TOWN COLLECTION 2002 DOLL NEW NIB GIFT $58.00 |
|
|
Pillow Talk giftset Doris Day and Rock Hudson barbie dolls barbie collector new $59.99 |
|
|
MOD Barbie Blond Talking Barbie Head, Excellent $65.00 |
|
|
1999 Mattel Working Woman Talking Career Barbie # 20548 ~ Mint In Box $69.99 |
|
|
Doris Day & Rock Hudson Pillow Talk Barbie Giftset NRFB 2001 #V7160 $69.99 |
|
|
1995 TEACHER TALKING BARBIE DOLL w/ 2 STUDENTS – MIB -b72 $69.99 |
|
|
Barbie Pillow Talk Rock Hudson and Doris Day Gift Set Brand New! $69.99 |
|
|
Talk of the Town Barbie Brunette Hispanic Doll 2003 $47.92 |
|
|
Barbie PINK LABEL COLLECTOR 2011 “Pillow Talk”, #V7160 Hudson and Day NIB $58.89 |
|
|
Vintage Barbie PJ TALKING P.J. ORIGINAL OUTFIT WristTag $65.00 |
|
|
TICKLE ME ELMO BARBIE DOLL & ELMO PLUSH TALKS 1st ISSUE $68.83 |
|
|
BARBIE 1997 “TALK WITH ME” NRFB, TALKING BARBIE DOLL + $27.95 |
|
|
PILLOW TALK BARBIE COLLECTOR DOLL! PINK LABEL COLLECTION 2011 NIB $55.00 |
|
|
Talk of the Town Barbie Blonde Caucasian Doll 2003 $44.00 |
|
|
Talking Barbie Doll Blonde $65.00 |
|
|
Barbie Talking Christie Original Outfit #1126 $65.00 |
|
|
NIB 2003 TALK OF THE TOWN BARBIE SPECIAL EDITION $65.00 |
|
|
Barbie Collector-Doris Day & Rock Hudson-”Pillow Talk”-Pink Label-2011-NRFB $54.99 |
|
|
***MINT-NIB*** ROCK HUDSON AND DORIS DAY ‘PILLOW TALK’ BARBIE ***SOLD OUT*** $54.99 |
|
|
BARBIE DOLL RAPUNZEL PRINCE STEFAN KEN TALKS 2001 NRFB $55.00 |
|
|
2011 Barbie Pillow Talk Giftset, Rock Hudson/Doris Day, Pink Label, New in Box $62.99 |
|
|
BNIB Barbie Collector Pink Label “Pillow Talk” Dolls Giftset $62.95 |
|
|
Vintage Barbie Nap Curl Talking Barbie Doll wearing Pink Knit Swimsuit – Mute $59.95 |
|
|
NEW DORIS DAY & ROCK HUDSON IN PILLOW TALK NRFB! $49.99 |
|
|
Mattel / Ban Dai Talking Takara Japanese Barbie Very Very Rare Doll LQQK $39.99 |
|
|
Pillow Talk Set-Rock Hudson and Doris day-2011 $50.00 |
|
|
LOOSE NUDE 12″ TALKING BILL CLINTON + HILLARY & 2 BARBIE DOLL INTERNS- BDY38 $60.00 |
|
|
BARBIE I LOVE LUCY & ETHEL JOB SWITCHING EPISODE TALKING DOLLS MISB…. FREE S/H $59.99 |
|
|
Barbie As Dorothy The Wizard Of OZ Talks Light Up Slippers 25812 074299258121 $59.99 |
|
|
Talking Barbie Outfit #1115 Swimsuit & Cover-Up $59.99 |
|
|
Barbie Pink Label Collector Pillow Talk Doris Day And Rock Hudson Doll Gift Set $59.99 |
|
|
Barbie Collector Pillow Talk: Doris Day And Rock Hudson Doll Gift Set, New $59.95 |
