World Consumer Rights Day – Sex Toys Edition

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Just because you purchase a sex toy or fetish device, it doesn’t mean you are not eligible for customer protection.

So, in the spirit of World Consumer Rights Day (March), here are some things you should consider or know before you start shopping.

What are your rights?

“Consumer protection is a group of laws and organizations designed to ensure consumer rights as well as fair dealing, competition, and accurate information in the marketplace. These laws are designed to prevent businesses that engage in deceptive or certain unfair practices from gaining an advantage over their competitors.”

And, when it comes to sex toys, information is the most important part.

The first thing you should know is…

The industry is unregulated

If you don’t remember the rest, that’s it.

The sex toy industry is like the Wild West.

have Some Some countries classify certain sex toys as medical devices (which is a good thing), but the bad thing is that any “medical” product comes with a host of regulations and standards — most of which end up being costly for the manufacturer.

Some products work this way because they are medications that doctors would actually prescribe (such as medications to treat erectile dysfunction or strengthen PC muscles).

but…

Most companies will label their packaging as “adult products,” use only the product name, or call it a “novelty.”

In most cases, there is nothing wrong with being called an adult product Or don’t call it a sex toy directly. There are many high-quality sex toys on the market that don’t abuse this workaround.

However…

A lot of people do this.

You’ll often see this on super cheap toys or things that are made of materials that are harmful to your body (like jelly) or are only meant for one-time use. If you see the word “novelty” anywhere on its packaging or website, run away.

This means another important thing…

The majority of ownership lies with the customer, who should be wise in their purchases (same as most other products, I guess).

Learn the basics

Learn which sex toy materials are safehow to properly care for your toys, and which ingredients are safe or dangerous (lubricants, massage oils, sex toy cleaners, etc.). This way, you can spot any red flags.

hint: Read the ingredients on the bottle and box. If they are different, don’t buy it.

Also, be wary of fancy or “unique” material names. Cyberskin is a good red flag because you don’t know what’s in it and the seller doesn’t have to disclose because it’s “their own unique material.” Also generally steer clear of “mixtures.”

These are made of jelly. Jelly = bad.

Now, before you start to freak out, in my experience Most sellers will be upfront about what is contained in their toys or sex products. Those shady people depend on you for something you don’t know Cyberskin, UR3, Futorotic, Fanta Flesh, Neoskin, FauxFlesh, Silicone, SEBS and Silicone Blends yes.

The information is there, you just have to look for it.

this means…

Do Your Research

Cheap toys don’t really matter, because if you don’t like it, you won’t spend that much money on it (as long as it’s not harmful to your body, of course). But if you see something that costs hundreds of dollars, Make sure you do your research ahead of time!

Read blogs, reviews, Amazon reviews (treat them with caution), the LoveHoney review section, product details, etc. Even go to a physical store that carries the product so you can see it in person.

Some great reviewers include: DangerousLily, Slutty Girl Problems and Hey Epiphora is a good start (if I could put this blog there too :P)

Know what details to look for

When it comes to reviews, you also have to learn how to separate the reviewer’s personal feelings from the facts.

Meaning, it’s not uncommon for customers to give a product a low review because they were frustrated that the product was shipped late or because the return policy was ignored and they couldn’t return it – rather than a review of the actual product.

Someone may not like a certain toy because it’s “not for them” and that’s totally fine. It doesn’t mean it’s bad for you. A good example is buzzy vs rumbly or weak vibes vs strong vibes.

How do you solve this problem?

Read multiple reviews.

Collect as much data as possible.

Know your brand

As with any product, there are trusted brands that are safer to buy from. Get to know these brands.

Also, if you end up being loyal to a brand, you should still do your due diligence before buying in. This is just smart bees – because some brands can deteriorate in quality over time, or completely change quality if bought out by another company or their CEO/higher positions are changed, etc.

Price does not guarantee quality

Well, that’s not the case.

There are some toys that are very affordable, very safe, and of good quality. There are also some sex toys that are overpriced (in order to appear luxurious) but not very good quality. And there are some sex toys that are worth the money.

Understand the return policy

It’s surprising how many people overlook this. Make sure you understand all return and/or exchange details Thank you for buying from the company you bought from. And, for God’s sake, Keep your receipt!

Side note: If you buy a toy as a gift, make sure you give it within the return policy period so that you can return it if there are any issues.

return…

Different parts of a toy may have different warranty periods (e.g. masturbation box vs. TPE sleeve).

Beware of counterfeits

Yes, there are knockoffs of name-brand sex toys! Make sure you buy from a trusted site (if you’re buying through Amazon) or the seller’s website.

The Hitachi Magic Wand is a good example.

Know your rights

If you’ve followed all the steps in the return policy and the company is being perfunctory, go to the Amazon page where you purchased the product and leave a strongly worded message – they will usually get back to you.

Contact them repeatedly until you hear back.

If all else fails, contact your country’s consumer protection agency.

Side note: Be sure to check your spam folder. Sometimes emails can get lost there.

Conclusion

You’ll spend hours researching which phone or TV you want to buy – gathering details, making comparisons, etc. We need to get in the habit of treating expensive sex toys the same way.

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Do you have anything else to add? Please share in the comments!