The New Intimacy

Do you look at where any of your "sex toys" are made?

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Contributor: Bignuf Bignuf
A teacher I know went toy shopping for her kindergarten class. She has a tough time of it, since she will not purchase ANY toys for her class from a certain nation that produces almost everything on our shelves these days. The problem is, in the recent past, that nation has been accused of shipping us toys with lead, toothpaste with toxic melamine, dog treats with still undefined possible toxins, etc, etc. Seems there is little in the way of safety controls, so she will buy no toys from there.
Last night, it occurred to me I have never, ever looked at where my thousands of sex toys are made! I am going to start looking now, but have to ask this.

First, does anyone check where their sex toys are made, when shopping? Two, has there ever been any issues with chemicals or materials in Sex toys?

Even if there had been, I am almost guessing that no one would report it, and if you wanted to, WHO would you report that your "privates got red and sore" (or whatever) when using a toy from some un-named nation.

Am I concerned for nothing, or is this a real issue?
Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):
I always look where my sex toys are made.
19
I never look where my sex toys are made.
9
This never occured to me.
44
Other?
15
Total votes: 87 (79 voters)
Poll is closed
09/22/2011
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Contributor: ToyGurl ToyGurl
SOMETIMES I look to see where they are made. I prefer toys made in the US. It has nothing to do with racism, but I've noticed a better quality in my U.S.A. manufactured toys. For example the batteries are usually AA, AAA rather than watch batteries and they don't break easily.

Also, toys made in Germany seem to be well-made as well. I've only seen a few though.
09/22/2011
Contributor: Rossie Rossie
I'm more concerned about the material and reliability of the company, than where the toy was made. Some of my stainless steel toys are made in China, if the manufacturer has good quality control, I don't think there's any problem. But of course, there's always some who are trying to save a buck here and there, then there's no telling how safe their products are.

By the way, just found an imitator marketing fake Njoy products, buyers beware!!!
09/22/2011
Contributor: Beck Beck
I only buy certain brands, the ones I know. That way I know I am getting a decent product.
09/22/2011
Contributor: Illumin8 Illumin8
I think I've only looked at a couple. But now that you mention this, I'm probably going to be looking a lot more!
09/22/2011
Contributor: Gunsmoke Gunsmoke
I've looked mostly at brands and materials - but I'll start to look at point-of-origin to educate myself - thanks for the suggestion.
09/22/2011
Contributor: PussyPurr PussyPurr
Far and away the majority of sex toys are made and/or assembled in China. It definitely makes a difference to me...they just do NOT have the quality controls that US manufacturers have to abide by. Plus, considering that the industry is unregulated anyway, you definitely want to look into where and how your toys are made. The Dutch EPA did a study on sex toys that found hazardous levels of such substances as cadmium and lead link

Considering the delicate areas I put these toys, I would rather err on the safe side and go with a manufacturer that is scrupulous about quality control.
09/22/2011
Contributor: unfulfilled unfulfilled
I never thought about it, but it is something I would want to be aware of b/c I don't want to be putting toxic chemicals in/on my deliate parts.
09/22/2011
Contributor: Yaoi Pervette (deleted) Yaoi Pervette (deleted)
I've looked at the country of origin on packaging before. I try to buy American whenever possible generally. It can be difficult. Even companies like LELO are manufacturing in China now.
09/22/2011
Contributor: Sex'и'Violence Sex'и'Violence
the thought honestly never crossed my mind. Good point though.
09/22/2011
Contributor: P'Gell P'Gell
Most Doc Johnson toys are made in the USA! A lot of good quality toys are made in Germany, like FunFactory, JoyDivision etc.

Yeah, I do look. My fear is getting a substance in the toy that isn't listed, which is so common in stuff made in China. From what I have heard, people IN China can't even buy sex toys, in most provinces. Yet, so many manufactures will use their labor and put more Americans out of work.
09/22/2011
Contributor: Ms. Spice Ms. Spice
the funny thing about globalization is that almost everything you own was made in a different country. A lot of companies that claim stuff is made in the USA are saying it's assembled in the states, but the parts more than likely came from a different country (either China or a developing country). The same is for products all over the world, including European states. I laugh when I hear scenarios like this because the only thing that you can ever get truly "American made" is wheat (and that's if it's not grown in Siberia, Russia).

So no, I really don't pay attention to where things are made; I buy it and hope for the best. I know which companies to stick to so I really don't worry
09/22/2011
Contributor: RosesThorns RosesThorns
I do look sometimes... but other times I dont.
09/22/2011
Contributor: Ash1141 Ash1141
I've never looked at this.
09/22/2011
Contributor: PussyPurr PussyPurr
Plus, keep in mind customer service. What if you have a problem or a question about a toy?
09/22/2011
Contributor: mizzmilla mizzmilla
I usually look
09/22/2011
Contributor: - Kira - - Kira -
I look sometimes if I happen to be curious, but I don't make a point to look every time.
09/22/2011
Contributor: KrazyKandy KrazyKandy
I have actually never noticed it before but I feel like I should start looking at these things before I buy.
09/22/2011
Contributor: wetone123 wetone123
I have found that where Most toys are made are not listed as a rule. If made in USA or Germany it is usually listed. Thats why I always say where the toy is made in my review. I never know until I recieve the toy. California Exotics toys usually are made in China...
09/22/2011
Contributor: The Curious Couple The Curious Couple
I've never thought of that before. Now I'm wondering about all of my toys!
09/22/2011
Contributor: The-IT-Guy-And-My-Secretary The-IT-Guy-And-My-Secretary
Quote:
Originally posted by Bignuf
A teacher I know went toy shopping for her kindergarten class. She has a tough time of it, since she will not purchase ANY toys for her class from a certain nation that produces almost everything on our shelves these days. The problem is, in the ... more
I usually dont look to see where the toy is made but I would look at the material. Now that I have been reviewing and learning the difference between a good toy and a bad toy I have been paying attention to alot more things. This may be one of them.
09/23/2011
Contributor: Breas Breas
I've never really thought about it before actually lol
09/23/2011
Contributor: K101 K101
Usually and I usually am happy to find toys made in US, but my first priority is the quality. I wouldn't base my decision on where it's made, but I am happy when they're made in the us. I find a lot of made in japan toys that I'm fond of, but haven't ever got to try them yet. They seem to be great though.
09/23/2011
Contributor: potstickers potstickers
I tend to prefer toys made by Vixen, Whipspider, and Tantus, and one of the reasons is that I like knowing they're made in the USA. Also, I love supporting local business.
09/23/2011
Contributor: M121212 M121212
I am a curious person when it comes to where things are made. I also like supporting smaller and more artisan-oriented companies. Part of that is a trust issue but most of it is wanting to support people doing good work and making high quality things. I identify as being a small scale artisan crafts person and enjoy supporting others who do this. I also like to buy things that are manufactured closer to where I live if possible for enviro/support local economy issues. I'm not a purist, but I am curious & enjoy learning more about the companies I purchase from.
09/23/2011
Contributor: ToyGurl ToyGurl
Also, I don't know if anyone mentioned this, but when I shop anywhere other than EF (which I don't anymore, but I used to) I would always look the toys up online before I bought them. There are companies that make fake toys that look like other brands. Like I'm telling you they make them to look almost exactly alike.
09/23/2011
Contributor: Errant Venture Errant Venture
I'd be interested to know which country your friend won't buy things from. I'm pretty sure I know, but I'd like to be certain!

No, I've never checked, but I have had a couple of problems with some badly made toys in the past - things breaking off, thankfully not while it was inside her!
09/23/2011
Contributor: married with children married with children
I always look where everything I buy is made. I know, somethings you do not have a choice. They are all made overseas. But other items you still have purchasing power on. You can let these companies know that you do not want your final product being made over sea's by cheap labor, and bad safety practices. I stopped buying some work clothing because the company stopped making them here in America. I do my best to buy from my neighbors first, then anywhere in American second. I only buy imported when I do not have a choice.
09/24/2011
Contributor: MrWishyWashy MrWishyWashy
Never really thought about it, thought never crossed my mind.
09/24/2011
Contributor: Incendiaire Incendiaire
Doc Johnson toys are all stamped with "Made in America", so it's hard to escape knowing where those are made.

I know Rocks Off is a British company and they make their toys in the UK.

I'm also aware that Fleshlight products sold in Europe are made in Spain.

The only other brand I own is Tantus, and I admit I've never looked up where they made those, but I assume it's somewhere in the U.S.

I tend to avoid cheap toys, so I like to think I'm safe from poorly made Chinese goods.
02/23/2012