posted on June 30, 2001 09:07:13 PM
PC being Polictically Correct... not Personal Computer. LOL
OK, frequently I sell dolls on ebay. Many of the dolls I sell are ethnic dolls (lots of Barbies). If I sell a white/Caucasian Barbie I normally list her by her regular title, and mention in the text that she is the Caucasian version of the doll (also I always have pictures of each item). When I have an Asian Barbie or other doll, I put "Asian" in the title and the text.
When I have an African-American doll, I'm at a slight loss. I usually fit "AA" into the title, but it always bugs me because it doesn't "look" right... reminds me of Alcoholics Anonymous instead of African-American.
And, as a Canadian bidder reminded me (good-naturedly)... who's to say the Barbie is American?
I've searched other sellers auctions and it seems many are perplexed as well. Some list the black dolls are "dark skinned" which seems kind of silly to me (?). Others say Black. Others say AA or African American.
So.... any ideas? I feel it's important to somehow identify the doll as being African-American in the title somehow (since many of the non-caucasian dolls are more saught after, more difficult to find) but the words "African-American" eat up half my title space. Is "black" too ... I dunno. It just seems... tacky to put "black" in the auction's title when I don't say the Caucasian doll is "white".
Am I trying to hard? LOL I want maximum "search keyword potential" but I also don't want to offend potential customers (and mankind in general! LOL). I assume most people looking for the black version of a certain doll would probably search using the words "AA" or "african american"? Is this what you would guess?
I know when *I* have looked for the AA version of a doll, I always type in all of the above to capture all sellers who might be selling the doll... but I know many bidders don't go through that kind of trouble.
posted on June 30, 2001 11:17:41 PM
I would check current price guides and if barbie "Barbie Bazzar{" a collectors mag. and use the term used in the books. Then if someone calls you on your use, you can shift the blame. ED
edhdsn
You might try listing the doll in the Black Americana category (or list in two categories). Appropriate items seem to sell there pretty well.
. Internet Pioneers
posted on July 2, 2001 01:06:48 PM
I'd use "black" unless "AA" is widely used in the Ebay Barbie community. I'd also use "African-American" in the description.
posted on July 2, 2001 06:07:43 PM
I've seen "Af Am" used in other categories. "Black" should be fine also. But a perusal of the Barbie category should show you what other successful sellers are using.
Sadie (an Earthling with American citizenship, and of Sicilian descent)
[ edited by sadie999 on Jul 2, 2001 06:08 PM ]
[ edited by sadie999 on Jul 2, 2001 06:08 PM ]