JACKSONVILLE, FLA. -- In this modern day battle between the sexes, its all about the bottom line. If you wear a tie, you pay one price and if you wear a skirt you may pay another.
The products are basically the same but there's a big difference in price.
"I think it's ridiculous that female deodorant costs more," says Lauren Morgan.
Fran Stone doesn't think its fair either.
"That's not fair, but my product may have more in it," Fran says.
And when Brandon Freeman heard about the difference in prices, his response was, "I think a man just goes in and grabs whatever."
So we sent the Fran and Brandon shopping to find out. We gave them a list with the same items on it and sent them shopping. They shopped on the same day at the same time.
Fran was surprised.
"I've never noticed that before, I do some shopping for men, but haven't paid much attention to that fact. It's very interesting. Not fair, but very interesting."
Brandon was surprised too.
"It's not really fair for the ladies and they're the exact same product. I don't mind it. It helps the guys out."
Brandon paid $1.79 for his Arbesol shaving cream, while Fran paid $2.99 for the women's version in a skinnier can.
Nivea Body wash for men, $4.99. For women its $6.99. Fran's speed stick cost her $3.29 and Brandon paid $3.19 for Speedstick for men, once again men pay less for more.
Even Excedrin Menstrual Complete has the same active ingredients and the same amount of pills as the regular pain reliever, but it cost women a dollar more. We even found the price of smelling good may be more for women too.
"Women will pay more because we like to smell good and men can just throw on anything," says Ariel Butler.
A bottle of Tommy Girl is $27.99, but the Tommy for men is only $24.99 and the same goes for Curve Crush. Women pay nearly 6-bucks more for a smaller bottle. And all of the fragrances have similar ingredients.
By the time Fran and Brandon finished shopping: Fran's total was $28.67 and Brandon's was $18.75. Fran paid nearly 58-percent more than Brandon for products that are nearly identical.
Consumer reports sparked some outrage recently revealing some products used by women and men have similar ingredients, although they may show up on store shelves at different prices. Manufacturers say there's a good reason for the price differences. They say women shave in the shower, so their shaving cream comes in a more expensive rust can. Nivea says their Women's body wash has skin sensation technology, but no matter the explanation, the secret is out.
Some women say no way to what amounts to a gender surcharge.
"I don't think I'll buy men's products because I'm afraid I'll start to grow hair on my face or something," said Amy Fullerton.
And Brandon says its not the guys fault.
"I'm sorry, I don't make the pricing."
