Has anyone been to an actual physical store that sells sex toys? I never have, (my small town, doesn't have one) but it seems to me they have a creepiness to them. Has anyone had any good experiences with sex toy shops? Are there any reputable chains? Horror stories, and funny anecdotes, would also be welcome in this thread.
Brick and Mortar Stores
hornypoet69
12/29/2010
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There is a local chain in my town, in the ten years I've lived here they've closed several of them so now it's reduced to just two or three. It isn't creepy at all, but the selection sucks. It's all lower end stuff, similar to what you would find in Spencers. A lot of the One Size Fits All type lingerie made of Halloween costume material. One of them used to have a decent selection of glass dildos though.
There are also a couple of head shops that have tons of gorgeous dildos (right next to the pipes). lol
There are also a couple of head shops that have tons of gorgeous dildos (right next to the pipes). lol
12/29/2010
I've been in lots of them while traveling. It's sort of a rush.
There are classy ones in bigger cities, where everything is brightly lit and laid out like a boutique. Then there are the highway-side ones, that are 70% porn, but sometimes have some decent toys in the mix. And then there are the head shops, and finally the ever-scary adult bookstores, where the lights flicker and everything's covered in a fine layer of grit.
There are classy ones in bigger cities, where everything is brightly lit and laid out like a boutique. Then there are the highway-side ones, that are 70% porn, but sometimes have some decent toys in the mix. And then there are the head shops, and finally the ever-scary adult bookstores, where the lights flicker and everything's covered in a fine layer of grit.
12/29/2010
hornypoet69
Does anyone have any experience with the Castle Megastore chain? I have heard good things.
12/29/2010
I live near Chicago so there are tons. I've been in a few and none of them have been creepy. I was offered a job at one when I browsing because I obviously knew what I was looking at and talking about. I turned it down because they wouldn't let me warn people about the danger of jelly toys. They didn't even have a large jelly toy selection but enough.
12/29/2010
Quote:
In many retail environments, the information just needs to be phrased in a way less alarming than a "warning" in order to meet expectations. So instead of holding up the jelly toy and warning about porosity, bacteria, phthalates, and the need for a condom, you'd hold up the glass and silicone toys, and explain that they can be sterilized and are free of chemicals. Let the customers come to their own conclusions regarding the toys without those safety features.
Originally posted by
TitsMcScandal
I live near Chicago so there are tons. I've been in a few and none of them have been creepy. I was offered a job at one when I browsing because I obviously knew what I was looking at and talking about. I turned it down because they wouldn't
...
more
I live near Chicago so there are tons. I've been in a few and none of them have been creepy. I was offered a job at one when I browsing because I obviously knew what I was looking at and talking about. I turned it down because they wouldn't let me warn people about the danger of jelly toys. They didn't even have a large jelly toy selection but enough.
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I also assume that jelly toys are often purchased for short-term use in many situations. If you're going to throw it away in the morning, or at the end of the weekend or vacation, then cost outweighs the possibility of a thorough cleaning.
12/29/2010
Quote:
Of course I wouldn't go around telling people in a way that would make them scared. There is enough stigma around sex toys. Especially considering those who are buying the jelly toys are often the first time buyers. They didn't want anything said about them. Like I wouldn't have been able to say that silicone toys were sterilizable, only that one toy was sterilizable at a time. Like if they were looking at the pure wand I would be able to say, "oh the pure wand can be sterilized too!" but not "stainless steel can be sterilized" because it would lead them to not buy the jelly toys. I just didn't like the way I would have to sell. I work in retail and my biggest concern is making sure the customer is happy and informed. I wouldn't have been able to fully do that at the place that offered me the job.
Originally posted by
ToyGeek
In many retail environments, the information just needs to be phrased in a way less alarming than a "warning" in order to meet expectations. So instead of holding up the jelly toy and warning about porosity, bacteria, phthalates, and the
...
more
In many retail environments, the information just needs to be phrased in a way less alarming than a "warning" in order to meet expectations. So instead of holding up the jelly toy and warning about porosity, bacteria, phthalates, and the need for a condom, you'd hold up the glass and silicone toys, and explain that they can be sterilized and are free of chemicals. Let the customers come to their own conclusions regarding the toys without those safety features.
I also assume that jelly toys are often purchased for short-term use in many situations. If you're going to throw it away in the morning, or at the end of the weekend or vacation, then cost outweighs the possibility of a thorough cleaning. less
I also assume that jelly toys are often purchased for short-term use in many situations. If you're going to throw it away in the morning, or at the end of the weekend or vacation, then cost outweighs the possibility of a thorough cleaning. less
12/29/2010
I have been to a fairly nice store called "Lover's Lane" in the Chicagoland area. Before we found EF, we shopped there several times. It's actually a very non-threatening store and the people who work there are very helpful and don't make you feel like you should be embarrassed or worried about being in such a place. I have not been back there since finding EF though. It's just not worth the extra cost and drive all the way down there. Plus they have a "no return" policy, no matter what is wrong with what you bought. I didn't care for that.
12/29/2010
hornypoet69
Quote:
Don't most places that sell sex toys have a no-return policy? Make sense, considering the nature of the product. I wouldn't want to buy something that someone else might have used, then returned.
Originally posted by
removedacnt
I have been to a fairly nice store called "Lover's Lane" in the Chicagoland area. Before we found EF, we shopped there several times. It's actually a very non-threatening store and the people who work there are very helpful and
...
more
I have been to a fairly nice store called "Lover's Lane" in the Chicagoland area. Before we found EF, we shopped there several times. It's actually a very non-threatening store and the people who work there are very helpful and don't make you feel like you should be embarrassed or worried about being in such a place. I have not been back there since finding EF though. It's just not worth the extra cost and drive all the way down there. Plus they have a "no return" policy, no matter what is wrong with what you bought. I didn't care for that.
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12/29/2010
There is a big one here that is nicely laid out and bright but the selection is crap. I don't think they have ever heard of LELO let alone sell them. Great novelty items there though for parties and such
12/29/2010
Quote:
Yikes, no, I disagree with that policy. A good retailer needs to be willing to educate the customer fully, and if educated customers steer clear of the junk, then stock less junk. Of course, in my own retail experience, that just made customers whine about the lack of available junk, so maybe I'm wrong. Walmart isn't the biggest retailer in the country because people prefer quality, that's for sure.
Originally posted by
TitsMcScandal
Of course I wouldn't go around telling people in a way that would make them scared. There is enough stigma around sex toys. Especially considering those who are buying the jelly toys are often the first time buyers. They didn't want
...
more
Of course I wouldn't go around telling people in a way that would make them scared. There is enough stigma around sex toys. Especially considering those who are buying the jelly toys are often the first time buyers. They didn't want anything said about them. Like I wouldn't have been able to say that silicone toys were sterilizable, only that one toy was sterilizable at a time. Like if they were looking at the pure wand I would be able to say, "oh the pure wand can be sterilized too!" but not "stainless steel can be sterilized" because it would lead them to not buy the jelly toys. I just didn't like the way I would have to sell. I work in retail and my biggest concern is making sure the customer is happy and informed. I wouldn't have been able to fully do that at the place that offered me the job.
less
12/29/2010
Quote:
Castle is what we have where I live. I have had good experiences there. The sales reps at the stores I frequent are very knowledgeable and really love to talk to someone who knows and appreciates the higher end materials. They stock the new Vanity by JOPEN line, as well as the LELO line and have a good selection of glass toys too. I wish they would carry the NJoy line and have a better selection of BDSM items. Gotta love the 20% military discount they offer too. Sometimes that discount will get me pretty close to Eden's prices. Mostly though, I go to Castle to look and feel something I am eyeing on Eden, then come back to Eden and purchase. I was born and raised in Missouri. I am a Show Me kinda girl, and I need to see and touch before I buy!
Originally posted by
hornypoet69
Does anyone have any experience with the Castle Megastore chain? I have heard good things.
Some of the people that go into Castle are creepy looking, but so are some of the people that frequent the grocery store by my house that doesn't stop me from going in.
I would love to get a job at Castle! Too bad they aren't hiring the hours I am looking for. I'd be all over it!
12/29/2010
Quote:
True. But if there is something wrong with an item you purchased, a store should take it back. And they definitely shouldn't put a broken, or even used, item back on the shelves. Regular stores don't, at least they shouldn't.
Originally posted by
hornypoet69
Don't most places that sell sex toys have a no-return policy? Make sense, considering the nature of the product. I wouldn't want to buy something that someone else might have used, then returned.
12/29/2010
I have been to 2 different chain type stores. When I was new to toys I was pretty happy with their selection, but now I can't find anything that is of good quality. I have been to 1 chain that did have Lelo toys, but not a very large selection. Other than that, their selection was mainly lingerie and that was not what I was looking for. Also, prices at the stores I have been to have been pretty high.
12/30/2010
Total posts: 14
Unique posters: 8