2008 Woodie Awards
Sexual seduction
Sex toys can be expensive, popular
By: Tim Ottusch
Issue date: 3/26/08 Section: Lifeline
Dildos.
They twist, pulsate and vibrate. They come in every color shade from black to white. They sparkle and shimmer. They're shaped like corn cobs and dolphins.
They're made from glass, plastic, latex and silicone.
The options seem never ending. But it all comes at a hefty price.
Susan Colvin, president of California Exotic Novelties LLC, said prices have increased over the last two years.
"The global economy, and its reliance on oil products, has driven costs up the same in my industry as everywhere else," she said.
While sex toys often amount to costs in the hundred to thousand-dollar range, Colvin said it is up to the customer how much they want to spend, depending upon how many features they want on their toy.
The addition of features such as vibration, pulsation, escalation, remote control and high-end materials adds cost, and that cost relates to the eventual retail price, Colvin said.
And the market continues to grow as more of the population becomes more comfortable with their sexuality.
"More and more people learn about the addition to their life, whether single or in a relationship, exploration will continue and push our sales."
Intimate Ideas, 5275 Pickard Road., sells many items. Sex swings, luv lounges, sex dolls and genital models of famous porn stars all at a price of at least $150. The mold of Jenna Jameson is more than $300.
Donna Turner, product knowledge expert for theadulttoyshoppe.com, said that life size replicas of famous people often are the most expensive.
Turner said novelty items are high-ticket items because they provide good value for the dollar.
"They are also more popular due to exposure from television shows, other media and sex therapists like Sue Johansen that suggest them," Turner said.
With the Internet becoming more popular for shopping, the sex toy industry has seen both advantages and disadvantages.
Colvin said because customers want to test the novelties before buying them, a store is necessary.
"Internet buyers generally are familiar with the toy they like, and are more aware of what to expect when ordering," she said.
For people who do know what they want, the Internet can be a valuable resource, Turner said.
"The Internet is always the cheapest place to buy because the overhead costs are minimal compared to a storefront," Turner said.
lifeline@cm-life.com
They twist, pulsate and vibrate. They come in every color shade from black to white. They sparkle and shimmer. They're shaped like corn cobs and dolphins.
They're made from glass, plastic, latex and silicone.
The options seem never ending. But it all comes at a hefty price.
Susan Colvin, president of California Exotic Novelties LLC, said prices have increased over the last two years.
"The global economy, and its reliance on oil products, has driven costs up the same in my industry as everywhere else," she said.
While sex toys often amount to costs in the hundred to thousand-dollar range, Colvin said it is up to the customer how much they want to spend, depending upon how many features they want on their toy.
The addition of features such as vibration, pulsation, escalation, remote control and high-end materials adds cost, and that cost relates to the eventual retail price, Colvin said.
And the market continues to grow as more of the population becomes more comfortable with their sexuality.
"More and more people learn about the addition to their life, whether single or in a relationship, exploration will continue and push our sales."
Intimate Ideas, 5275 Pickard Road., sells many items. Sex swings, luv lounges, sex dolls and genital models of famous porn stars all at a price of at least $150. The mold of Jenna Jameson is more than $300.
Donna Turner, product knowledge expert for theadulttoyshoppe.com, said that life size replicas of famous people often are the most expensive.
Turner said novelty items are high-ticket items because they provide good value for the dollar.
"They are also more popular due to exposure from television shows, other media and sex therapists like Sue Johansen that suggest them," Turner said.
With the Internet becoming more popular for shopping, the sex toy industry has seen both advantages and disadvantages.
Colvin said because customers want to test the novelties before buying them, a store is necessary.
"Internet buyers generally are familiar with the toy they like, and are more aware of what to expect when ordering," she said.
For people who do know what they want, the Internet can be a valuable resource, Turner said.
"The Internet is always the cheapest place to buy because the overhead costs are minimal compared to a storefront," Turner said.
lifeline@cm-life.com
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 70
Dave
dave
posted 3/26/08 @ 2:06 AM EST
Another pointless, classless article from the lifeline section of our important student-run newspaper. Do the people who write this stuff realize that people from the community read this paper, and not just college students. (Continued…)
brent
posted 3/26/08 @ 12:23 PM EST
amen. nice work cm-life. keep up the fantastic work.
Joe
posted 3/26/08 @ 12:28 PM EST
I also have to agree with Dave. Its not every day you open a newspaper and find that your looking at an adult sex toy on the front page. I dont feel that enough students were or are concerned with the price of adult toys that there should be an article about it. (Continued…)
Pat
posted 3/26/08 @ 1:24 PM EST
I completely agree with Dave's post. This is not called for and is not news. This paper is cycled throughout the community. It has more readership than the Morning Sun. (Continued…)
Andrew Kmetz
posted 3/26/08 @ 2:23 PM EST
Was it necessary to have a dildo show in the newspaper? It seems like a sales ad for California Exotic Novelties LLL and Intimate Ideas sex shop. Is there really nothing else to talk about?
Lori
posted 3/26/08 @ 2:44 PM EST
Although the world has become much more accepting to unusual lifestyles of people everywhere, it is not something that needs to be explored on the front page of our LIFE section at CMU. (Continued…)
Susan Fulcher
posted 3/26/08 @ 4:21 PM EST
I am again appalled at this leading story in the campus paper. Does the journalism department not have a good grasp on what is news and what will be viewed and accepted by the general public. (Continued…)
Plague
Plague
posted 3/26/08 @ 4:22 PM EST
Seriously, I am sitting in my office working with a co-worker on a project and an email pops up:
Central Michigan Life Email Edition
Sexual Seduction
I have all my cmich email forwarded to my work account so I can keep up with my masters classes, CM Life, and anything else that is relevant. (Continued…)
Jen Smielewski
posted 3/26/08 @ 4:52 PM EST
I receive CM LIFE's e-mail edition. Imagine my dismay to this drivel as "Top Story". There is nothing newsworthy or entertaining about this article. (Continued…)
David Janczewski
posted 3/26/08 @ 4:54 PM EST
I still cannot believe that the CM-Life printed this article, and am appalled at what the "Voice of Central Michigan University" has done to the reputation of this Institution, its Students, Staff, and Administration. (Continued…)
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