Would you ever buy sex toys from a sex shop in person and in public?

Contributor: pyratess pyratess
This summer I went to a sex shop in Provincetown with some friends as a joke. It was kind of weird but interesting to see products I was familiar with from seeing here on EF like Lelo vibrators and Liquid Silk lube (products that I actually really wanted). But I felt weird about buying something like that with my friends so I didn't. How do you feel?
Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):
Yes
87  (67%)
No
14  (11%)
Depends on who I was with
15  (12%)
Depends on what I was buying
9  (7%)
I would go in just to browse/joke with friends
1  (1%)
Other
4  (3%)
Total votes: 130
Poll is closed
09/24/2012
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Contributor: funluvinmama funluvinmama
I have been to 2 different stores and was uncomfortable the whole time I was in both stores. I prefer Eden so much more.
09/25/2012
Contributor: KrissyNovacaine KrissyNovacaine
I don't mind stores, but I like the selection online better. Some things like bondage gear is nice to buy in person, so it can be tried on.
09/25/2012
Contributor: Gone (LD29) Gone (LD29)
Yes, I've bought several things from local stores both here and where I used to live in PA. I definitely like the feel of some stores more than others, but when I have one I feel comfortable with I've got no problem shopping there and talking to the staff.

That being said, for various reasons I like shopping here more.
09/25/2012
Contributor: Rin (aka Nire) Rin (aka Nire)
Yup! My first toy was an in-person buy with my mother present, and I browse a few different sex shops whenever I go downtown with my friends. It's a lot of fun and the shops I visit are clean, well-lit, and have a friendly atmosphere. No dark hole-in-the-wall stores for me.

Obviously, I prefer to shop online because of the convenience and better prices, but shops are nice for viewing things in person and if you'd rather not wait for shipping (plus you can occasionally find good prices, or prices that would be the same online once shipping was thrown in).
09/25/2012
Contributor: travelnurse travelnurse
I bought things at shops many times before Eden
09/25/2012
Contributor: Falsepast Falsepast
It really depends on what I'm buying.
09/25/2012
Contributor: potstickers potstickers
I only go to nice shops where I feel completely comfortable and the employees are friendly and helpful. I've never been to one of those gross places you're probably thinking of. So yes, I would go, and I would have have bought sex toys at these stores.
09/25/2012
Contributor: Kittybit Kittybit
Quote:
Originally posted by pyratess
This summer I went to a sex shop in Provincetown with some friends as a joke. It was kind of weird but interesting to see products I was familiar with from seeing here on EF like Lelo vibrators and Liquid Silk lube (products that I actually really ... more
I've been to a couple of independent nice boutiques and have never felt uncomfortable. I'll definitely buy in person if need be.
09/25/2012
Contributor: Alan & Michele Alan & Michele
We've bought from a local shop a few times, but find better prices and selections online.
09/25/2012
Contributor: deltalima deltalima
Quote:
Originally posted by pyratess
This summer I went to a sex shop in Provincetown with some friends as a joke. It was kind of weird but interesting to see products I was familiar with from seeing here on EF like Lelo vibrators and Liquid Silk lube (products that I actually really ... more
Probably not.
09/25/2012
Contributor: ksparkles16 ksparkles16
nope...I'm pretty poor so I use my points for toys, lol.
09/25/2012
Contributor: kitty1949 kitty1949
Yes, I have. I love browsing around at toy stores. If I see something I like, or want to see how it works, the employees are typically very helpful and will show you the product. I used to be embarrassed but now I have no shame. I talk with the other customers and employees and it's just a grand ol time.
09/25/2012
Contributor: epiphanyjayne epiphanyjayne
If I can't be real with my friends or family, then why am I at a sex shop with them. I wouldn't have any issues with any of my friends.
09/25/2012
Contributor: Sima-pusya Sima-pusya
Yes
09/25/2012
Contributor: GirlOnGirl GirlOnGirl
Yes, I have in the past. I sometimes attend workshops/classes that are offered at sex toy shops and when I do I always try to buy something as a courtesy.
09/25/2012
Contributor: T&L T&L
Before we discovered EF we went into a couple and purchased items and only felt uncomfortable once but that was because there were so many people in the store that it was shoulder to shoulder and you literally had to ask people to move just to see the products! I don't have any clue what the huge draw was that night but we found EF not long after(thankfully) and have made all but one purchase from EF since! The one purchase was a double bullet vibe that we needed RIGHT THEN! I'm sure you can relate, hehehe!!
09/25/2012
Contributor: naturegirl naturegirl
Quote:
Originally posted by kitty1949
Yes, I have. I love browsing around at toy stores. If I see something I like, or want to see how it works, the employees are typically very helpful and will show you the product. I used to be embarrassed but now I have no shame. I talk with the other ... more
Yeh...why be coy about it? If you are in a sex toy shop all those present know why so you may as well engage in conversation with them. Admittedly, I usually only go to Anne Summers here in the UK which are on many High Streets and almost considered mainstream. Shame?? Nah!
09/25/2012
Contributor: K101 K101
Quote:
Originally posted by pyratess
This summer I went to a sex shop in Provincetown with some friends as a joke. It was kind of weird but interesting to see products I was familiar with from seeing here on EF like Lelo vibrators and Liquid Silk lube (products that I actually really ... more
No, I don't frequent those shops ever just because the nature of them. I am a strictly online shopper for adult products.

However, before I knew there was a such thing as toys online (lol) I had to buy from stores, and I hated it. It was not fun for me and the toys I bought were total crap. Of course that's not only because I bought them in-store, but still. It's never comfortable. There's always either some perv boys that make vulgar and disrespectful comments towards me, when just because I'm looking at adult products does not mean I'm a trashy whore and not a human being! UGH! Or either I'd get uncomfortable by trying to really look at things, read packages because somebody ALWAYS made some kind of wise-crack. Literally each time I visited any adult toy store. Not only that, but the nature of the ones I've been to is horrible, and... shady... and let's just say not the most kind things go in there.
09/25/2012
Contributor: AHubbyof2SexualMinds AHubbyof2SexualMinds
I've been to sex shops in person and bought stuff before, but don't know that I could with friends, it would depend on the friends I'm with.
09/25/2012
Contributor: Geogeo Geogeo
Quote:
Originally posted by pyratess
This summer I went to a sex shop in Provincetown with some friends as a joke. It was kind of weird but interesting to see products I was familiar with from seeing here on EF like Lelo vibrators and Liquid Silk lube (products that I actually really ... more
I would, but I get them with points here so I dont need to
09/25/2012
Contributor: PropertyOfPotter PropertyOfPotter
I've only been in a couple before and I didn't feel very comfortable about it.
09/25/2012
Contributor: Sirena Sirena
Before discovering thee joys of online shopping we only had our local sex shop to purchase from.
09/25/2012
Contributor: wicked weasel wicked weasel
At times its better, you get to feel and touch the toys on display;
if its gets displayed... And sometimes you get real good advice from
the salespeople... sometimes
09/25/2012
Contributor: Sera26 Sera26
I have been to those stores but I prefer EF so much more. I think they offer much better buys and I love the reviews. I actually had a close friend who was a cashier at a sex shop so we used to go hang out and keep him company sometimes. It was fun to spy on the customers too. lol, I'm terrible.

I almost bought something I wanted for my fiance and I from Spencer's recently just because I hadn't seen it on here but then EF got it in so I was able to buy it online, yay!
09/25/2012
Contributor: Love Obsessed Love Obsessed
I would go to a sex shop and I wouldn't be embarrassed about it at all.I've never been to an actual sex shop but,I would like to go to one one day.
09/25/2012
Contributor: roskat roskat
Before joining Eden: most likely no.
After joining Eden: Sure, who cares. But most likely I wouldn't, cause I have Eden now...
09/25/2012
Contributor: deemh deemh
I definitely would but buying something would depend on who I was there with and who else was in the shop.
09/25/2012
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
Quote:
Originally posted by pyratess
This summer I went to a sex shop in Provincetown with some friends as a joke. It was kind of weird but interesting to see products I was familiar with from seeing here on EF like Lelo vibrators and Liquid Silk lube (products that I actually really ... more
I usually know more about the toys than the person behind the counter but when I find the rare educated sales clerk I have a great time!
09/25/2012
Contributor: amazon amazon
Used to all the time, but now it's far more convenient and better value to buy online. We still go from time to time.
09/25/2012