The New Intimacy

Help!

Skip to last post
Set alerts
Updates
Forum search
Contributor: Pretty in Green Pretty in Green
Hi everyone...
This is my first time seriously considering buying a vibrator. I am worried about buying something that's made in China as they don't always make the best product. Can anyone suggest a good vibrator that's not too expensive that you like that's not made in China?!
Thanks!!!
05/20/2009
  • Upgrade Your Hands-Free Play!
  • Long-distance pleasure set for couples
  • Save Extra 20% On Love Cushion And Toy Set!
  • Complete strap-on set for extra 15% off
  • Save 50% On Shower Nozzle With Enema Set
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5
All promotions
Contributor: bodymodboy bodymodboy
Quote:
Originally posted by Pretty in Green
Hi everyone...This is my first time seriously considering buying a vibrator. I am worried about buying something that's made in China as they don't always make the best product. Can anyone suggest a good vibrator that's not too ... more
Uh...I'm not even going to touch the racism in that comment with a stick.
05/20/2009
Contributor: Boxers Over Briefs Boxers Over Briefs
Quote:
Originally posted by bodymodboy
Uh...I'm not even going to touch the racism in that comment with a stick.
Actually, there are sometimes problems with the quality of materials coming out of China and has nothing to do with racism. I remember hearing something about poisonous dog food, toys made with lead based paint, and right now there's a problem with Chinese drywall.

But for Pretty in Green, I can't really help you there.
05/20/2009
Contributor: bodymodboy bodymodboy
Quote:
Originally posted by Boxers Over Briefs
Actually, there are sometimes problems with the quality of materials coming out of China and has nothing to do with racism. I remember hearing something about poisonous dog food, toys made with lead based paint, and right now there's a problem ... more
You do realize that American companies are the ones providing them with the product and material (i.e: Walmart), and the penny a day wage workers assemble the products? It's cheaper for the company because the workers work for next to nothing. It has nothing to do with it's from China, it has to do with that companies want to cut corners.
05/20/2009
Contributor: Victoria Victoria
You can try the 'Leon' by Feelztoys at this link - it's a traditional vibe, since you didn't say what exactly you're looking for. Once you get a better idea of what you want, look at the makers of the products. Or ask about specific companies - as there are hundreds of companies making vibrators for the market and not all of them are coming from China.
05/20/2009
Contributor: Boxers Over Briefs Boxers Over Briefs
Quote:
Originally posted by bodymodboy
You do realize that American companies are the ones providing them with the product and material (i.e: Walmart), and the penny a day wage workers assemble the products? It's cheaper for the company because the workers work for next to nothing. It ... more
I understand that it's beneficial for companies to cut corners when there's a high demand for cheaper products, but it's precisely because of this incentive that governments enact regulations to prevent firms from cutting those corners which would harm consumers. The problem with China is that they have poor regulatory standards, and poorly manufactured products slip through.

I'm not saying that China is bad or that they aren't trying to solve problems like these, I'm just saying that the idea that China creates unsafe products is not entirely unfounded.

These are old articles, but they explain why people would have poor impressions of Chinese manufacturing. link link link
05/20/2009
Contributor: Pretty in Green Pretty in Green
Quote:
Originally posted by bodymodboy
You do realize that American companies are the ones providing them with the product and material (i.e: Walmart), and the penny a day wage workers assemble the products? It's cheaper for the company because the workers work for next to nothing. It ... more
Bodymodboy,

I am not saying that I am oppose to them because they are made in China, but I simply don't want to risk inserting something into my body that may or may not be safe.

Maybe it is true that they have their materials shipped in from the US, but how would I know or be able to guarantee that is the case? Because there is less regulations about the environment of which these products are made, I just simply want to decrease the chances of something going wrong.

If what you say is true that companies only goes there in order to cut corners, then if I purchase their products wouldn't it be encouraging these companies to continue to cut corners? I am sorry, but that is not really acceptable to me...
05/20/2009
Contributor: Pretty in Green Pretty in Green
Quote:
Originally posted by Boxers Over Briefs
I understand that it's beneficial for companies to cut corners when there's a high demand for cheaper products, but it's precisely because of this incentive that governments enact regulations to prevent firms from cutting those corners ... more
Thank you Boxers over Briefs. My thoughts exactly...
05/20/2009
Contributor: Epiphora Epiphora
Honestly, you should worry more about what material a products is made of than where it is made. Or just buy from a reputable company.
05/20/2009
Contributor: Lithaewyn Lithaewyn
Quote:
Originally posted by Epiphora
Honestly, you should worry more about what material a products is made of than where it is made. Or just buy from a reputable company.
Agreed. I don't believe an excellent company would allow unsafe materials to be in their products.
05/20/2009
Contributor: Victoria Victoria
I think it would best, when we have a new community member, to offer advice and be welcoming. Some people aren't used to being able to learn more about material safety, because frankly most retailers don't offer that info on their sites! Here link is a short but hopefully helpful guide to vibrator materials from our site. Many first time shoppers have never heard of phthalates nor understand the differences between materials. This is a great opportunity to teach and to share. Thanks!
05/20/2009
Contributor: bodymodboy bodymodboy
Quote:
Originally posted by Epiphora
Honestly, you should worry more about what material a products is made of than where it is made. Or just buy from a reputable company.
Very true. I know a lot of women who don't know that you actually have to WASH jelly toys, or that they are porous. Some have had the same jelly dong for years! *shudders* That bacteria...
05/20/2009
Contributor: Adriana Ravenlust Adriana Ravenlust
Quote:
Originally posted by bodymodboy
Very true. I know a lot of women who don't know that you actually have to WASH jelly toys, or that they are porous. Some have had the same jelly dong for years! *shudders* That bacteria...
You're kidding me? Not washing toys? Eww.
05/21/2009
Contributor: Epiphora Epiphora
Quote:
Originally posted by bodymodboy
Very true. I know a lot of women who don't know that you actually have to WASH jelly toys, or that they are porous. Some have had the same jelly dong for years! *shudders* That bacteria...
Okay, that is terrifying.
05/21/2009
Contributor: Perish Perish
Quote:
Originally posted by bodymodboy
Uh...I'm not even going to touch the racism in that comment with a stick.
There is absolutely no racism in that at all. China does infact manufacture alot of cheap things. It's not that they mean to make it cheap but it is the most cost effective way of creating and selling their export like that. I don't mind my things to being made in China that much unless if it is indeed a sex toy.
05/21/2009
Contributor: bodymodboy bodymodboy
Quote:
Originally posted by Perish
There is absolutely no racism in that at all. China does infact manufacture alot of cheap things. It's not that they mean to make it cheap but it is the most cost effective way of creating and selling their export like that. I don't mind my ... more
Perish, to be blunt, did you even read my argument? It is racist to assume that because something gets made somewhere, that is not America, it is in fact racist. I am not going to explain anti-racism/anti-oppre ssion 101, but the fact is, America is providing the wages and supplies. So it's American corporations fault for the faulty material, but because of trade amendments, since it is in fact made in a different part of the world, it must be stamped with that country. So, it makes it look like it's all China's fault.
05/21/2009
Contributor: bodymodboy bodymodboy
Quote:
Originally posted by bodymodboy
Perish, to be blunt, did you even read my argument? It is racist to assume that because something gets made somewhere, that is not America, it is in fact racist. I am not going to explain anti-racism/anti-oppre ssion 101, but the fact is, America is ... more
Correction: It is racist to assume that because something gets made elsewhere, that is not America, that somehow it's of lesser quality and reflects on the people in general. Blanket statements that "Oh it's true that China makes poor quality stuff." are proof of that.
05/21/2009
Contributor: Chou Wang Chou Wang
Quote:
Originally posted by bodymodboy
Very true. I know a lot of women who don't know that you actually have to WASH jelly toys, or that they are porous. Some have had the same jelly dong for years! *shudders* That bacteria...
That's not so true, the bacteria can only survive as long as there is nutrition (as anybody else). As bacteria doesn't eat any rubber composite it's basically not a problem at all. Moreover a problem can only occur while sharing or using the toy without sterilizing having an STD (you might get it back). Obviously anal/vaginal swap is dangerous too. Otherwise it is virtually impossible to get anything from the toy that only you are using.

Most of the manufacturing is being outsourced to Asia, so I totally agree with Epiphora here.
05/21/2009
Contributor: Backseat Boohoo Backseat Boohoo
Quote:
Originally posted by Epiphora
Okay, that is terrifying.
But unfortunately, very true. A lot of women buy one crappy toy as a joke, or just because it's all they can find, and they don't know anything about taking care of it or protecting themselves. It just doesn't cross their minds that a dildo could be dangerous.
05/21/2009
Contributor: Vibrator Happy Vibrator Happy
Quote:
Originally posted by bodymodboy
Uh...I'm not even going to touch the racism in that comment with a stick.
I went through a couple of Vibratex vibes (these are not from the US) until I decided to use my favorite Vibratex vibe after my second favorite vibe, just before the orgasm. (if I make it that far)
05/21/2009
Contributor: Nashville Nashville
Quote:
Originally posted by bodymodboy
Uh...I'm not even going to touch the racism in that comment with a stick.
It's actually not a racist comment and I'm extremely annoyed that because people that are not interested in products from certain parts of the world would be considered racist- if you go to Mexico, India, or Russia, if you didn't drink their water would you be considered racist?

I know a lot of people that do not want to buy products made in China because they don't have the same stringent regulations that we have here in America. The issue with the chemically-tainted milk used in their baby food is one of the more current issues that countries (27 European nations as well) have banned products from China.

Tainted baby food: link

Tainted Pet food that resulted in death: link

America is not angelic as we recently had our own national crisis with peanut butter and salmonella but intentional or accidental poisoning/tainting of food does not occur here as often as it does across the waters.
05/21/2009
Contributor: Nashville Nashville
Quote:
Originally posted by Backseat Boohoo
But unfortunately, very true. A lot of women buy one crappy toy as a joke, or just because it's all they can find, and they don't know anything about taking care of it or protecting themselves. It just doesn't cross their minds that a ... more
I know when I started I didn't have any information available to me, I bought a jelly vibrator and was diagnosed with repeated bacterial vaginosis because I didn't understand about the porosity of jelly or phthalatees.
05/21/2009
Contributor: bodymodboy bodymodboy
Quote:
Originally posted by Backseat Boohoo
But unfortunately, very true. A lot of women buy one crappy toy as a joke, or just because it's all they can find, and they don't know anything about taking care of it or protecting themselves. It just doesn't cross their minds that a ... more
A lot of the women I know have bought them from Spencers. It's sad that either they are afraid to buy it online (or their state bans vibrators. I believe Arizona still has that? I think it's an A-state. If I am wrong, please correct me.)
05/21/2009
Contributor: bodymodboy bodymodboy
Quote:
Originally posted by bodymodboy
A lot of the women I know have bought them from Spencers. It's sad that either they are afraid to buy it online (or their state bans vibrators. I believe Arizona still has that? I think it's an A-state. If I am wrong, please correct me.)
IE went nuts before I could continue:

buy it online or there are no shops available like Amazing.net or whatever. More places need more independent stores that are very sex positive, well-stocked, and in my personal opinion, feminist.
05/21/2009
Contributor: Boxers Over Briefs Boxers Over Briefs
Quote:
Originally posted by bodymodboy
Perish, to be blunt, did you even read my argument? It is racist to assume that because something gets made somewhere, that is not America, it is in fact racist. I am not going to explain anti-racism/anti-oppre ssion 101, but the fact is, America is ... more
Bodymodboy, if your friend offers to make you dinner every night for a week, and for the first six nights uses rat poison as an ingredient in their pasta, it would only be prudent to assume that there's a high risk of it happening again, and refuse to eat the dinner.

I would describe people who make such decisions based on historical trends as intelligent, not racist or prejudiced. To recognize that buying goods from China comes with a certain amount of risk is similarly logical. You then argue that the fault lies in America, however, even if it is American corporations that are providing the dangerous materials, the fact still remains that there is a higher frequency of dangerous products coming out of China. So even if the fault lies in American companies, the "Made in China" stamp is nonetheless an indicator of that increased risk.

Further, we are not passing judgment on the Chinese people - saying that a Chinese individual makes a shoddy product, or is poor at quality assurance - but rather recognizing that some factor or another, likely policy, allows for poor regulatory practices. So, once again, not racist.
05/21/2009
Contributor: DreamyLove DreamyLove
Quote:
Originally posted by bodymodboy
A lot of the women I know have bought them from Spencers. It's sad that either they are afraid to buy it online (or their state bans vibrators. I believe Arizona still has that? I think it's an A-state. If I am wrong, please correct me.)
A-state is probably Arkansas, and I remember reading something about Alabama trying to ban them as well.
05/21/2009
Contributor: DreamyLove DreamyLove
Quote:
Originally posted by Lithaewyn
Agreed. I don't believe an excellent company would allow unsafe materials to be in their products.
Exactly. There are companies that will manufacture their products in China, but be monitored and quality controlled, like what I've read about Lelo and Shaki toys. Don't know about the lower end companies like Cal Exotics and similar companies.
05/21/2009
Contributor: Miss Cinnamon Miss Cinnamon
Quote:
Originally posted by Pretty in Green
Hi everyone...This is my first time seriously considering buying a vibrator. I am worried about buying something that's made in China as they don't always make the best product. Can anyone suggest a good vibrator that's not too ... more
While I am touchy about anyone who implies that products made in China are unsafe (!), I understand your concern. You want what is safest for your body, and since China's reputation for production of goods as of late has been tarnished, you want to steer clear of those products just in case something terrible comes up, like "Cockroaches found in Chinese Sex Toys!"

However, just because a vibe isn't made in China does not guarantee quality, just as a vibe that IS made in China does not guarantee that it is inferior. Your best bet is to read the articles on material safety offered on this site and make use of material safety ratings, reviews, and star ratings to find the right toy for you.

The safest materials are those that can be sterilized, such as ceramic, glass, and steel. A drawback is that toys made of this material are usually more expensive. However, nonporous toys such as plastic are pretty safe too, and many good plastic toys are plenty affordable. I'd recommend starting out with a nice simple bullet and then moving on to something more specialized, but since you didn't specify, I'll just wish you the best of luck in finding the perfect first toy
05/21/2009
Contributor: kcordie kcordie
Quote:
Originally posted by Epiphora
Honestly, you should worry more about what material a products is made of than where it is made. Or just buy from a reputable company.
agreed
08/27/2010