No they are crap Ann summers is tacky thank god for LH
KinkyFuckery wrote:
No they are crap Ann summers is tacky thank god for LH
Seconded!
I pass loads on the way to work (manchester northern quarter)
I'm not sure if they are brothels or not, theres usualy a tattoed shaven headed guy stood at the door glaring at passers by.
I'm not sure if I have ever been in AS?
rarely , if ever . i havent ever bought anything from a sex shop though barring a blow up sheep as a comedy gift for someone .
yh i must say ann summers really is terrible, they only sell run of the mill stuff and the quality isnt in line with their prices. love honey is so well priced but theres always those disappointments that could have been avoided had I seen the product first hand.
I worked around Charing Cross for years, but that was before the internet really took off. Any porn you want now you can get online for free.
Sex shops always seem to be in dodgy backstreets and the shops in my local town are no different.
I question their market when sites like LH provide so much stock, satisfying so many sexual needs whilst respecting people's anonymity. The addition of such a good returns policy cuts out the need to 'feel the goods'
With all this so handy from the comfort of your home why would you bother going to a shop that often feels nasty and seedy on the inside?!
taraman wrote:
Sex shops always seem to be in dodgy backstreets
Not here...
I wouldn't consider it embarassing but I don't have any decent sex toy shops near me. There's is the dreaded over priced crap from Ann Summer or the sleazy shop on the corner or a 'superstore' of crap outside of town.
If there was a decent shop then I would try it.
The covered over windows always put me off. Never went in because I didn't know what I would have been getting myself into and by the time any apprehension passed, I was a block away. It felt furtive and creepy from the outside, not things I want associated with sex at all.
When I lived elsewhere, there was a lovely lesbian-owned shop with pretty dressing screens in the big front windows for some privacy, but otherwise it was just another nice store in a row of nice stores. They did a good business too.
I think that there is very much a stigma around going into a sex shop on the high street. The one good thing about Ann Summers is that they never masked what they were selling; I do find that most of these independent sex shops don't look appealing or open to anyone to just walk in off the street.
Very much, the most PG underwear in the window, having to walk through about 8 doors (or worse... the dreaded beaded curtain!) just to get to the good stuff.
I do most of my shopping online now, as there is almost always more variety, better deals and reviews! Who doesn't read reviews when buying online these days... you can not get that in a shop. Also, with videos, the ability to zoom in and look at products at all manner of angles, the ease of shopping online is no match to traipsing around a high street, concealing bags within bags from prying eyes and the such, it is no match to the online shopping experience.
However, I did not have any idea of the sister company Coco de Mer, which I will be looking at it straight away!
Never. I've been in Ann Summers a few times but since I found LH I never will again.
My issue is, with Ann Summers, you go in and they have basic things for a very high price compared to LH. They're high street, and to me give the impression "come in and but things that are really rude and carry around one of our big branded bags to show everyone how rude you are" it gives off the impression, to me personally, that sex is taboo. Especially with the layout of their shops and their website, it's so dark and gives off a taboo impression. Whereas LH gives the impression of "come and buy from us, we sell really rude things, but you know what, that's okay!! Everyone does it! And we won't rip you off". Their website is bright, and really gives the impression that they're proud of what they do and it gives all their customers the confidence and comfortablility to shop here.
I haven't always thought like this, until I come to LH sex was a sort of taboo subject to me, but LH and everyone on the forums have helped me realise that it's absolutely normal.
I like going to Ann Summers to see what they have, ended up buying my first Lelo there, which to my surprise was cheaper than at LH.
Have usually bought my vibes and dildos at LH. My two best ones, one cost me about £5 was awesome but died, and my trusted one for the last 2 yrs is about to go to vibrator heaven too overused lol. So loving my Lelo. :)
Ann Summers is great cos a real person will talk to you about sex toys like there's nothing to it and make you feel comfortable. Sometimes you need that human contact.
I have only ever been in one because the local Ann summers is right bang in the middle of the only shopping centre for miles around and I'd rather the whole area didn't know i was buying sex toys lol! Me any my partner went into one when we were on a holiday and it was great fun utill some wierd looking bloke came in and started hadeling all the dildos as me and the mr were discussing what to buy the staff were a bit full on as we'll. no I don't want to discuss how to use it its pretty self explanatory thank you very much. I prefer buying online as well I can't take my toddler with me and get enough awkward questions when she opened my latest purchase thinking it was for her
The only shop I've been in is Ann Summers, but I've never bought anything from there because they're too over priced. Plus, the staff know sweet f.a about the products they sell! I only go in with selected friends because I like having a look at products in person to get a proper sense of the materials and size of them.
I bought my first toy, and most since then, from LH. :)
we have a shop near us, although it's more of a warehouse, and the oh and I love having a look round, whispering to each other about what we'd like to buy / use/ do. we find it really gets us in the mood. I think we're in the minority though, as the shop is usually empty!
I bought my first outfits, toys etc from AS, but that was before I knew about LH. Since getting used to LH prices and products, I struggle to shop in AS without feeling like they're children playing at a grown ups game! I've had some staff be really helpful, and some not so. I do find LH stock a lot more variety than your typical AS as well. <3 LH!
We the neighbours are having an as party in a few weeks went in in Birmingham but wasn't impressed too dark very little stock apart from overpriced undersized underwear , I won't be buying a rabbit get mine from here have also told my friend get her toys from LH. through me , if I buy it will be a swan beautiful and I know it will be quaility, wish the party was with you, but it's the only option
I don't really think of the modern AS shops as 'Sex Shops', had never been into one until a little over a year ago and that was because we wanted a differnet type of lube urgently and it was cheaper there. I had never been in a 'Sex Shop' before then and bought frequently from LH in the past.
We have been back to AS a few times since then for corsets and bras (my partner had breast cancer some time ago so trying things on is important).
I used to shop frequently at LH but the fact of the matter is there are often cheaper (reliable) online sources out there and other shops available for things you might want to 'try before you buy' (or at least see).
I do most of my shopping online for pure simplicity, obviously including LH, and you can browse at items, go back to items and look again without a salesperson up annoying you, the added bonus is the reviews, you get honest information on the product not just some sales guy telling you it's the best just to get a sale.
As someone mentioned, most adult shops have the same stuff, that's not uncommon, I've seen a lot of LH items on other sites, but the do have the largest range.
I also like to browse some of the adult store sites in America to see things you would see here or might not be out yet.