An E-Retailer Versus The High Street For Adult Products

What are the main pros and cons when it comes to buying adult products from an e-retailer when compared to the High Street? There are a number of factors to take into consideration when you shop for adult products such as adult sex toys but probably the most significant one to bear in mind is the embarrassment factor.

If you have not purchased adult products before it could feel quite intimidating to walk into a bricks and mortar shop and go straight to the adult toys section. This could just as easily be the case if you are familiar with buying them. A lot of people do not like the idea of being approached by shop assistants, however well meaning they are, when buying such personal items. Many people are also worried that they might be seen entering or leaving the premises which could lead to more potentially awkward moments. Buying a sex toy from an e-retailer on the other hand is far more discreet. Many people incorrectly assume that the packaging will be plastered in sex shop advertising when it arrives at their home or place of work but this is a total misconception. E-retailers send items out in plain packaging which also does not feature the name of the website that it was purchased from as the return address. Instead, the more innocuous trading name of the parent company is included. The name of the parent company will also appear on any subsequent credit or debit card statement received. This also ensures total discretion.

When it comes down to price, online retailers could also prove to be a better option because the overheads of having one or more websites are often far less than those incurred when running a bricks and mortar shop. Although postage costs have to be taken into consideration, it is often still cheaper to purchase items online as opposed to from the High Street. The time factor can work both ways. If you know what you are looking for and feel comfortable enough to go into a bricks and mortar shop it can take less time than waiting for the item or items to arrive in the post. However, if you don’t have the time to make a special journey into town, it can often be easier to browse the products online and if the item is needed as soon as possible, opt to have it delivered on a next day service. The volume of choice available is also going to be far greater online than in a retail unit meaning that you can probably find exactly what you’re looking for.

What about returns? If you have received a defective product and want an exchange you will have to return this item first before receiving the new one. This is where bricks and mortar shops can offer an advantage. If a retail unit has the same product in stock it can easily be checked for faults then exchanged over the counter. However, if you have to send a faulty item back to an online retailer it can take a few more days. Like the majority of products, defective adult toys are more of a rarity than a regular occurrence so the need to return anything is usually minimal.

In conclusion, both bricks and mortar stores and online retailers have their pros and cons but if its discretion, a higher volume or choice and often a cheaper price that you’re looking for then online sex shops are probably your best bet.

Tatyana Dyachenko

For the past years, Tatyana has worked as a sex blogger and a relationship advisor. She has been featured in magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue. Vice, Tatler, Vanity Fair, and many others. Since 2016, Tatyana has focused on sexology, attended various training courses, participated in international conferences and congresses. “I wish people would address sexual issues in a timely manner! Forget shyness, prejudice and feel free to see a sex doctor for help or advice!” Tanya enjoys pursuing her flare for creativity through modelling, graffiti art, astronomy, and technology.

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