Do you prefer to buy sex toys from online or regular stores and why?

Contributor: Inga mk Inga mk
Online stores vs Regular stores - comments on advantages and disadvantages are highly appreciated
Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):
Mainly Online Stores
357  (81%)
Mainly Real Stores
12  (3%)
Both
74  (17%)
Total votes: 443
Poll is closed
03/09/2010
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Contributor: LicentiouslyYours LicentiouslyYours
I prefer online stores because the selection and quality is far superior to what's available in toy stores where I live. It's also more discreet, with better access to discounts and sales, and of course... the thousands of reviews that tell you just exactly what you need to know before you waste $50 or $100 on the worst toy EVER!
03/09/2010
Contributor: TitsMcScandal TitsMcScandal
I buy mostly online. You can find great deals and read reviews. The stores that I have been into just don't have that great of a selection.
03/09/2010
Contributor: Luscious Lily Luscious Lily
The only things I've ever bought in person were cuffs and a flogger, directly from the craftsmen. I buy all of my sex toys online, for the discretion, the deals, and the information.
03/09/2010
Contributor: EffinSara EffinSara
I prefer to *shop* in person, so I can feel the softness of the materials, the strength of the vibration, etc. But I actually buy toys online so that I can get the best deal.
03/09/2010
Contributor: TacoODoom TacoODoom
i want to give up on my degree and open a femme-centric smut shop, not all pink and frou-frou but rather warm and inviting, with a good selection of products and a holy crap ton of erotica books... *sigh*... whats that you say midterms next week.
03/09/2010
Contributor: Sir Sir
I've only rarely shopped in-store. I prefer online, from my experiences.
03/09/2010
Contributor: removedacnt removedacnt
I prefer online, because I can browse as long as I want, compare prices and features, & read reviews. I also like the convenience of not having to drive somewhere and spend the gas, or being able to make a purchase at any hour of the day or night. Plus online tends to be less expensive and does not have sales taxes.

The only thing I still purchase in stores sometimes, is lingerie.
03/09/2010
Contributor: Carrie Ann Carrie Ann
I used to shop almost exclusively in stores. We have some great ones in my area. But the deals I can get online are better and, well, yanno, I have a loyalty to EF these days.
03/09/2010
Contributor: Jul!a Jul!a
The last time I was in a sex shop there wasn't a huge selection or variety, and none of the lingerie fit me. Granted I can't try it on online here, but at least here with an item I'm really unsure about I can attempt to request it as an assignment, lol

Also, the pricing online I find to be much better. I can't toss out a 3 digit code at the register in a brick and mortar store to get a discount, but I can here
03/09/2010
Contributor: Sundae Sundae
I have only shopped online so far. I'd love to have a chance to look in store and poke and prod things to my heart's content, but my city really just doesn't have the sort of stores that I'm looking for. Most of them are your typical, run of the mill ones focusing on porn and generally low quality toys. I found one that stocks njoy and lelo and the prices here in Australia are literally double those online, even factoring in currency conversion, so I can't see why I'd want to shop there when I can get awesome deals here and have all the time in the world to read and make decisions.
03/09/2010
Contributor: Colossus Colossus
Online stores seem to have much better variety and pricing, plus at brick and mortar stores, some of the things you may look at may seem more embarrassing in person
03/09/2010
Contributor: Victoria Victoria
The selection and the prices are definitely better online. And sadly, I have found that many people in the brick and mortar stores do not have in-depth product knowledge, so there's no way to know how well the products might work. The reviews here make a big difference.

Just being able to shop from home is nice.
03/09/2010
Contributor: Kynky Kytty Kynky Kytty
Quote:
Originally posted by Victoria
The selection and the prices are definitely better online. And sadly, I have found that many people in the brick and mortar stores do not have in-depth product knowledge, so there's no way to know how well the products might work. The reviews ... more
My thoughts exactly.
03/09/2010
Contributor: Miss Cinnamon Miss Cinnamon
I buy online because there's more information and more variety. Also, more time! When I'm in a brick and mortar store, I feel like I'm being pressured to make a purchase, or I'm being a bad customer. I also agree with Victoria that the people behind the cash register aren't always the best informed about products. I'm lucky enough to have a pretty sex-positive, informed sex store close by, but their prices are much higher than what I can find online.
03/09/2010
Contributor: Miss Jane Miss Jane
I buy online because there just *aren't* sex toy stores in my area, and when I've made the drive to one I've mostly found cheap utter crap. If I lived near a large city where I could go to a quality brick and mortar store I'd do it, but as for now it's all online for me. Plus, I am kinda partial to EF.
03/09/2010
Contributor: Sammi Sammi
I've never been in one. We've had 2 in town, that have opened and been shut down rather quickly. I've been in a Lingerie/Gown store where they had a small selection in the back room, but I never ventured back that far.

I love shopping online. There's a lot of choices and information that I don't think you'd have in a brick and mortar store.
03/09/2010
Contributor: 00 00
Oh I definitely prefer to purchase online as I have a wider variety of items to choose from than are available in the two small local Adult stores in my area. Not only that, but I have found that the pricing online is often a lot better than purchasing in brick and mortar stores.
03/09/2010
Contributor: Kayla Kayla
I like the fact that there are reviews here on EF. Plus, the selection of most brick stores includes mostly cheap toys that can possibly be dangerous and the cashiers rarely know.
03/09/2010
Contributor: JustYourAverageGuy JustYourAverageGuy
Online - More discreet, more selection, usually better prices, better reviews. product knowledge available and the ability to compare side by side.

I like stores if I need a toy TONIGHT (or some lube) but thats rare, although I have no issue shopping in a store, I just prefer online.
03/09/2010
Contributor: Angel deSanguine Angel deSanguine
I shop online mostly however there are a few shops that I will make a pointed effort to top in and purchase every couple of months from. They're great local businesses that are actually trying to do right by the consumer and sell at a reasonable price. Yes, they have some low end toys, but they also have some nice high end stuff and I purchasing it and commenting on it shows there's a demand for it. Aaaand one of the stores happens to be out in the boondocks and gets high end stuff and can't turn it over because they're so in the boonies so they mark it down... enter moi to snag a Revolve, Beyond #3 and a Curve for 76 bucks total for all three. (and I know it is what it is because it was in the boxes not display shelved)

*mad dash to the car clutching my bag and slamming the door before squealing loudly and shrieking at my husband 'Do you have ANY IDEA the deal I just scored?!?!?!?!'*
03/09/2010
Contributor: Sir Sir
Quote:
Originally posted by Sir
I've only rarely shopped in-store. I prefer online, from my experiences.
I did not really explain why, did I?

Well, I prefer online because in-store does not have a really good selection and prices tend to be higher than they should be. The only things that I buy in stores are lubricants, which I actually do not even buy at sex-specific stores. Online is great for a lot of reasons, but that could just be because Edenfantasys is really good. I am not sure about other online stores - they're sometimes just as bad as regular stores.

Lingerie, however, is a different story. I prefer to buy lingerie in-store so that I can have my partner try things on and make sure that they fit her correctly.
03/09/2010
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
I buy online because of the chance to research the products and the selection. The discrete packaging makes it easier to bring into the house with two preteens busy watching everything I do. The stores in this area are just pathetic in their selections and in the product knowledge of the clerks.
03/10/2010
Contributor: Liz2 Liz2
Online based on selection, quality and price. I live in an area almost devoid of adult toy stores. The stuff is way overpriced and too much jelly, plastic and mystery ingredients.
My b/f does stop by Babeland in Seattle when on business trips for ideas and surprises. A visual experience does have value but overall online works for me.
03/10/2010
Contributor: Heartthrob Heartthrob
Quote:
Originally posted by Inga mk
Online stores vs Regular stores - comments on advantages and disadvantages are highly appreciated
Every single time I go into our local sex shop this one salesperson follows me around. I can't stand it, so I prefer to shop online for everything now.
03/10/2010
Contributor: Gary Gary
I pretty much buy everything online nowadays
03/10/2010
Contributor: jaybaybay79 jaybaybay79
I'm all about online shopping!
03/11/2010
Contributor: Jill Ingoff Jill Ingoff
I think 80% of what I buy is from online lol
03/11/2010
Contributor: Pleasureman Pleasureman
Quote:
Originally posted by Inga mk
Online stores vs Regular stores - comments on advantages and disadvantages are highly appreciated
Sigh, I'm just too shy to stay in a sex store any length of time. I do all my shopping online at Eden.
03/11/2010
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
If I know what I want, I'd get it from EF. If I just want to check stuff out, I'll go to a b&m store so I can see it, touch it, smell it, etc.

I also LOVE to educate the people working at the store. I try not to be an ass about it, but some of these people are almost dangerously clueless (except one store in Ann Arbor).

Another difference I've noticed is that you will almost NEVER see the store owner in the b&m stores (except the one). That really makes me feel like they're just in it for the money, in all the worst ways.
03/11/2010