A Guide to Buying Sex Toys
A Guide to Buying Sex Toys
Feeling Overwhelmed?
Purchasing sex toys can be a very daunting task for us all. There are literally thousands of items to choose from, but we can't take them for a test drive prior too purchase. We may choose a sex toy based on their appearance, our expectation of how they should work, a recommendation from store staff and friends, or what others have purchased from an online store. The problem with choosing a sex toy based on this criteria is that what works for strangers, store staff, and friends may not work equally well for us, and popular items aren't necessarily the best items for us, especially if we are dissatisfied with our sexual experiences.
Many want to purchase a solution to their sexual challenges. If we are dissatisfied with sex, or don't know how to masturbate to orgasm, are we likely to admit this to a friend or doctor, let alone a stranger in a store? We also may have the expectation that there is a simple and guaranteed solution to our concerns and challenges, that there is a magic pill or sex toy that will fix us. In general, sex toys enhance our sexuality, but they can't and don't fix it, with the exception of perhaps vibrators used to learn how to experience orgasm, and to increase stimulation.
Know Your Erogenous Zones
Perhaps the best resources available to those seeking to acquire a sex toy are my article about the Female Sexual Nervous System, specifically the page about Stimulation and Sensation, and all the shared masturbation techniques women have shared. This information tells us about potential erogenous zones, what types of stimulation they are sensitive too, and how others have learned to stimulate their erogenous zones in a pleasurable manner. What you shouldn't do is, chose a sex toy then try to force it to work, as that may not wont work. Instead, choose and erogenous zone, consider how it is best stimulated, and then choose the appropriate sex toy.
For example, the clitoris is the primary erogenous zone for the majority of women. In the article about the female nervous system to know the clitoris is sensitive to the full range of sensations:
- Light Touch
- Pressure
- Vibration
- Temperature (Hot/Cold)
- Pain
The Basics
Price:
You can spend as little or as much as you like on your sex toys, from a couple dollars to thousands. But to be honest, you may not have to spend anything, as many household items work extremely well, which is important for young adults who don't have access to store bought items, and surplus money. Your choice of sex toys may simply depend on your needs and what is available too you. If you have access to "adult toys" and plenty of extra money, the sky is the limit. If you don't, then a little imagination may produce equally rewarding results for little or no expense.
An interesting social phenomenon is the fact that many of us are reluctant to spend money on sex. I believe this applies to women more than men, as women are often reluctant to spend money on themselves, with perhaps the exception of clothing and accessories. We think nothing of spending $15,000-$30,000 on a new car, or $100,000-$250,000 on a new home, but baulk at the idea of spending $50-$100 on sex and sex toys. Sex is believed to occur naturally, right, so there is no need to spend money on sex, is there? This is a reflection of our culture, but never the less we should be aware of this when selecting a sex toy or toys.
In general, you get what you pay for. Vibrating items purchased at your local mall novelty store for under $10 probably wont last for very long, and probably make relatively more noise than more expensive items. But this doesn't mean you must spend lots of money. You can buy "sex toys" or "children's toys" for under $10 that will work very well, specifically items that don't have any moving parts, items like dildos and Duotone balls, or their non-sexual equivalents. An inexpensive electric toothbrush may work better than the novelty sex toy, or an expensive electric toothbrush may dazzle you. A $50 realistic looking penis shaped dildo may pack an enormous visual incentive, but as many young women can attest, items commonly found within your bathroom and bedroom may work perfectly well at producing the desired physical stimulation, as long as they are clean, free of rough and sharp surfaces, and aren't likely to break during use.
If you are concerned about the environment, electric vibrators are probably more environmentally friendly, while saving you the potential expense of disposable batteries, and avoid the challenges associated with battery disposal. A little more initial expense may save you considerably in the future; or at least avoid the frustration of finding yourself without replacement batteries at an inopportune moment.
The price of sex toys vary enormously between suppliers, even for the same item. The disparity in prices is the result of how much it costs to deliver the product to you. Online wholesalers don't have to pay for expensive showroom space, your local store does. Even for us, our supplier sells directly to the public in addition to us, so in most cases we can't compete with their prices. Those who host toy parties often have to pay or reward those who organize and host the party, plus pay for all the freebies and fun activities. When you shop at your local store you help support your local community, but this usually requires you to spend more. If you shop online, you may find a much better price, but generally don't have the option of discussing your purchase with the seller, but do have the benefit of anonymity. Your local toy party may be tons of fun, but I doubt anyone feels comfortable discussion their "sexual concerns and challenges" with their friends and coworkers. You may simply hope that what others enjoy will work equally well for you, or provide an easy fix. So where you buy your sex toys probably should be dependent on your individual needs and expectations.
Quality:
To be honest, I'm often frustrated by the apparent lack of quality of sex toys, even if their price raises them well beyond the level of being a mere toy. Sex toy manufacturers sometimes exploit the fact that it is usually impossible to return items after use, for health and safety reasons, and the reluctance of many to talk about sex, especially broken or poorly performing sex toys. Even if they produce a product of poor quality they know they probably wont have to refund any money, which is good for them, bad for the customer.
In addition, some expect enormous profits when selling "sex," which sometimes results in huge markups. This means items manufactured for pennies may cost your a thousand times more, but you are still only receiving an item worth relatively little. While not always an option, being able to examine items for yourself prior to purchase will let you know if they are truly worth their purchase price. Even with mail order, the supplier should allow you to return items that you find broken or substandard upon arrival.
We once provided a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee with all our orders, until a couple customers returned items worth several hundreds dollars that had to be disposed of, even though there was obviously nothing wrong with these item, items like quality silicone dildos that simply don't break or perform poorly. As a small company, it was impossible for us to cover these extra expenses, so we reluctantly had to adopt the same return policy as many of our peer companies. Even so, all suppliers should work with their customer when items don't work correctly or fail prematurely, even if it is only to provide a replacement or store credit.
Price usually, but not always, provides a relative indication of quality. For example, jelly dildos are usually less expensive than those produced with other materials. The flexible plastic material jelly dildos are made of is inexpensive to manufacture, but is also porous, meaning they can trap body fluids. Items that are usually but not always more expensive are made of materials like Pyrex glass, silicone, or stainless steel that don't trap body fluids, and easier to care for.
When it comes to vibrators, price and quality becomes less obvious, as not only is their overall quality and the materials they are made of factors to consider, but also the complexity of the moving parts, and electronics that control them. You can spend relatively little for a simple hard plastic phallic shaped vibrator that uses C cell batteries that is strong and dependable, or a lot more on Rabbit style that is more expensive simply because it is made of a lot more parts, even if they are of lower quality.
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