Choose the right sex toy shop

When we started the sex toy shop Joyland in Sweden in 2013, we were determined that nothing should be left to chance. The aim has always been to offer the ultimate shopping experience with the market's widest range of products at the lowest possible price. All products from our own warehouse, safe delivery and knowledgeable and fast customer service have also been in focus. In 2023, we also established ourselves on the European market with the same high ambitions.

Behind our success lies determination, hard work, a burning interest and a very detailed industry analysis.

With this experience in the bag, we therefore think we are qualified enough to share our checklist below on how to identify a serious sex toy shop.

1. Product information

When you order sex toys on the internet, you have no opportunity to see or touch the products before you buy. Therefore, set high standards for the product information - both in terms of descriptions and specifications, but also in terms of quality and selection.

A good product description develops through careful work and good knowledge of the product, where the writer has held the product in hand and can describe it in an accurate and inspiring way.

Many sex toy shops are deficient when it comes to product information. Dry and simple descriptions are often taken straight from the wholesalers' own websites. In other cases, English descriptions are copied from foreign online stores. If you are really unlucky, you may come across a more or less illegible description that has been machine-translated into English using Google Translate.

Product information is very much the heart of an online store. If customer information is handled carelessly, there is a real danger that other parts of the business will be handled in the same frivolous way.

2. Delivery - be aware of order items

In order to be able to offer fast delivery, it is crucial that the store has its own warehouse. Read the terms of purchase carefully to see if the delivery time meets your expectations. Some sex toy shops order the products from their suppliers only after you have placed your order with them. This not only extends the delivery time - you also run the risk that the product may be out of stock at the store's supplier.

There are also sex toy shops that go a step further, and use so-called "drop shipping". This means that they do not have the products in their own warehouse, but that the delivery is sent from another place - often from another country.

The problem with this is partly that the delivery time will be longer, but primarily that it will be very difficult in case of any complaints and right of withdrawal. So-called "drop shipping" stores often have insufficient product information, as they do not have access to the physical products.

3. Price – Don't be fooled by overpriced products

Some larger players give their products new names, so you cannot compare prices with competitors. In such cases, the prices are often set unreasonably high, so that you simply get ripped off. You should always check whether the store has serious and complete product names, including brands, before you decide to shop.

4. Assortment – ​​diversity without pointing fingers

There are sex toy shops that claim the right to judge what is "nice" or "ugly". An example of this is stores that only sell non-realistic and "stout" products with a perception that human genitalia is distasteful and vulgar.

Another example of prejudice is a state-owned company that deliberately chooses to exclude sex toys for men. These are just a couple of examples of narrow-minded attitudes in this area.

Finally, there are sex toy shops that claim to actively distance themselves from pornography, while at the same time selling on a large scale realistic vaginas from well-known porn actors. Double standards and political correctness clearly shine through here.

A serious sex toy shop is characterized by diversity and openness - never let politics, morality or outdated values ​​condemn your sexuality.

5. Customer service – your saving angel

You've just taken out your package of exciting sex toys, but your dildo refuses to work. It is stone dead, and the frustration is a fact. You require an answer and a solution - preferably yesterday. Customer service is often something you have to deal with only after a problem has arisen.

It is difficult to know in advance how the customer service will respond to a complaint or a specific question, even if the store promises "gold and green forests". A tip is to contact the store to get some idea of ​​how fast and serious their customer service actually is.

The conditions for warranty, open purchase and repayment period vary widely from store to store. Therefore, read the terms of purchase carefully before shopping.

6. Reviews - from real customers

A sex toy shop affiliated with Trustpilot always does its utmost to take care of its customers. Trustpilot works hard to combat fabricated product reviews - no company can therefore remove or otherwise censor the reviews. This gives you as a customer a good insight into how the sex toy shop's customer service meets its customers.

7. Product reviews – for an objective picture

Product descriptions, no matter how serious they are, are often characterized by being as salesy as possible. A sex toy shop with reviews and ratings from real users can make the purchase decision significantly easier.

8. Certification – a proof of seriousness

If a store lacks certification, you should be extra vigilant and carefully consider whether it is a safe place to shop.

9. Complete contact information

Make sure that your company's name, organization number, address, email address and telephone number are clearly displayed in the store. It may also be a good idea to investigate the company's finances.

10. Discreet deliveries – sensitive products

How do you know if the sex toys you're about to order will arrive straight in the mailbox, or if they'll end up at your local post office for personal delivery?

Over 90% of European sex toy shops do not provide any information about this. What is usually mentioned is a package is delivered with discreet sender, but does this prevent other family members from opening your personal delivery? Of course not!

If it is important to you that no one outside can see what you have ordered, you should order from a sex toy shop where you have the option of choosing whether the package should be delivered to the postbox or to a delivery point.

11. SSL certificate – for your security

Sex toys are sensitive products. If the online store has an SSL certificate, the information sent between your browser and the online store is encrypted. Shops that hold an SSL certificate are identified by a green padlock in front of the web address in the browser.

The address of an encrypted website always begins with https instead of http.

12. Summary

The sex toy industry is not significantly different from other industries. As with all other online shopping, common sense applies.

Feel free to call the store to confirm that it is actually a real store. Google the store! If something seems too good to be true - well, it probably is.

We hope these points have given you a basis for reflection, even if several of these are obvious to most people. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.

Good luck with your choice of reliable online sex toy shop!