The New Intimacy

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

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Contributor: Serafina Brightside Serafina Brightside
Quote:
Originally posted by 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 ... more
I completely agree with your statement!
07/23/2010
Contributor: Serafina Brightside Serafina Brightside
Quote:
Originally posted by 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.
That's a good technique.
07/23/2010
Contributor: Serafina Brightside Serafina Brightside
Quote:
Originally posted by 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 ... more
The points you're making are fabulous. I agree with you on this one hundred percent. That's exactly what I do, and this is the best sex toy review site I have ever been to. It's the perfect toy store to shop at!
07/23/2010
Contributor: Serafina Brightside Serafina Brightside
Quote:
Originally posted by 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
That is so true!
07/23/2010
Contributor: Serafina Brightside Serafina Brightside
Quote:
Originally posted by 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 ... more
Amen to that and completely agreed!
07/23/2010
Contributor: Serafina Brightside Serafina Brightside
Quote:
Originally posted by 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.
That's definitely true.
07/23/2010
Contributor: Serafina Brightside Serafina Brightside
Quote:
Originally posted by 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 ... more
HAHAHAHA Good point.
07/23/2010
Contributor: Serafina Brightside Serafina Brightside
Quote:
Originally posted by 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 ... more
Yes, I know what you mean about the kids. As a mom-to-be, I'm already in for it, aren't I? Don't want to be a bad influence. Good points, by the way.
07/23/2010
Contributor: Serafina Brightside Serafina Brightside
Quote:
Originally posted by Jill Ingoff
I think 80% of what I buy is from online lol
Haha, me too. I just hate the credit card number thing. I get so worried about identity theft.
07/23/2010
Contributor: Serafina Brightside Serafina Brightside
Quote:
Originally posted by Pleasureman
Sigh, I'm just too shy to stay in a sex store any length of time. I do all my shopping online at Eden.
Amen to that. Me too. I don't like to be watched as I shop, and I can't think if I'm being watched. Especially over a sex toy! (I'm a goth, so every time I go anywhere someone thinks I'm going to steal something!)
07/23/2010
Contributor: Serafina Brightside Serafina Brightside
Quote:
Originally posted by 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 ... more
Well, most of the human kind is in it for money. It sucks....
07/23/2010
Contributor: NightNight NightNight
I prefer to do almost every kind of shopping online because of the huge information gap between online and physical stores. Sex toys are usually expensive purchases for me, even if I am taking advantage of the lower prices online. After finding EF's review program I will never buy a toy without heavily researching it again.

That being said, there are circumstances I would buy from a brick & mortar store. When I've needed something urgently, like lube, I go to the store. Otherwise I would only go to the store to see a product in person and get a better sense of its true size, color, material, weight, etc. That is part of the research that can't be done online, sadly! Sometimes I wish EF had real stores because I know they'd have sample products on display for just about everything, right?? B^)

There are also times I want to go to a store just because it's like walking through a candy shop. I have no intention of buying something on impulse, but it can be fun and funny (or scary, depending on the store).
07/23/2010
Contributor: AU AU
I would not be able to step into a sex toy store now. But I used to happily frequent one! I even brought my male friends (not sex partners) with me. I was such a different person then! I have to keep a fairly clean image now and I have come to know too many people to keep it that way if I wanted to shop at a store. I started ordering online and liked the change quite a lot. The local toy stores don't feel classy enough, I always felt a little icky while shopping locally. These places look as sexy as aging video rental stores, they are clearly aimed at college aged guys who don't give a damn--they just want to buy some porn and leave. The selection of toys here is often depressing, too. Maybe if I lived in a bigger city I would have a better time shopping in a store?
07/23/2010
Contributor: Passionate Pastor Passionate Pastor
Online definitely. We have only bought from a regular store once while on vacation.
07/30/2010
Contributor: clp clp
I like both. For the most part, I shop online because of quality, availability, etc.,. But there is something to be said for going into stores and perusing with a partner. It is its own form of foreplay...
07/30/2010
Contributor: XXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXX
I prefer to buy from regular stores because i see what i'm buying !
07/30/2010
Contributor: Isadorabelle Isadorabelle
I prefer to shop online. I'm on a fixed budget and find the prices, especially on this site, to be really competitive.

Plus, there's the privacy factor. It's nice that no gossiping people see where you shop. What goes on in my bedroom is my business! Haha.
07/30/2010
Contributor: Kinky Skier Kinky Skier
i only get my toys here, its a privacy thing
08/03/2010
Contributor: oohlookasquirrel oohlookasquirrel
I buy nearly all of my sex toys online, since I discovered that it was an option.

If you live near a good sex toy store, it's worth a visit. When I lived near the Smitten Kitten in Minnesota, it was great to be able to touch all of the toys and turn them on and feel the vibrations or hold them in my hand. I went there on a day with a sale and got a good bargain on a toy I'd been drooling over for a long time but really needed to see in person. Sometimes looking at a computer screen is just not the same.

Even if I lived near a good sex toy store, I would do a lot of research and price comparing online. The reviews on sites like this are immensely helpful. Still, there are a handful of toys I wouldn't have bought if I'd been able to see them in person. Maybe I will "grow into them" or find a friend who might want them.
08/03/2010
Contributor: Valyn Valyn
It seems like most stores are so overpriced.. But.. real stores are much better for outfits, as you can at least hold them up to your body to see if they'd fit.
08/03/2010
Contributor: Liz Liz
I have absolutely no issue walking into a store and buying something if I need it immediately, but I generally prefer to shop online because the selection and prices are so much better.

Having said that, it's a dream of mine to one day open a brick-and-mortar sex toy store.
08/04/2010
Contributor: sexyhellokitty sexyhellokitty
I only buy from EF.
08/09/2010
Contributor: Blinker Blinker
I prefer Eden above all other toy stores but of course for more BDSM equipment I look elsewhere. Anyway local toy stores generally don't stock a lot and when they do stock quality toys, they are WAY overpriced. While Lelo's Ella is only $40 or so here, in a store I've seen it sell for as much as $90. People who don't know any better are paying twice as much for a piece of silicone! Plus some of the toys are just old and dusty. No one wants old toys, especially after cheaper materials break down after a year or so.
08/10/2010
Contributor: deltalima deltalima
It's just more convenient to go online and get my toys and things.
08/10/2010
Contributor: Evoluchun Evoluchun
i like both for alot of reasons
08/10/2010
Contributor: Sensual husband Sensual husband
I live where there are a few sex store within an easy drive and go in a and take a look around once in a while and have bought from them. I find online you get so much of a better selection. I also find being able to read reviews and prosuct descriptions make online a much better option for me.
08/10/2010
Contributor: YoungCouple YoungCouple
I have this dream where I could Franchise with EF and start a classy brick and mortar store. Hardwood floors, lot's of light, good toy selection especially on the high end.

I would probably do away with / diminish the DVD aspect. Hold classes on kegels, preparing for pregnancy, toys after menopause, g spotting, etc. Try to keep a steady stream of regular customers. Also, in front of each toy would be printouts of 3-5 reviews from right here on EF.

The only problem is that most of my investors are extremely religious, so I would have to put up my own capital.
08/10/2010
Contributor: anelinvader anelinvader
online only mostly because the closest store to me is 1.5 hours a way and most the time i can get free shipping online, better deals, look when i want to and i do not have to get dressed to brows the web lol
08/10/2010
Contributor: NymphetamineKiss NymphetamineKiss
I said both as I do like to shop from both, but the reality is I rarely buy in person anymore - almost all of my shopping is online.

I like real-world shopping too though, because I like getting to have an up-close-and-personal look at the toys I'm interested in
08/10/2010
Contributor: OhMy! OhMy!
Quote:
Originally posted by Inga mk
Online stores vs Regular stores - comments on advantages and disadvantages are highly appreciated
When you have places like Edenfantasy, they blow-away any sleazy local place. WE probably won't ever buy anywhere else but online anymore
08/19/2010