Specifically, let’s talk about prices in sex toy and product reviews. I know a lot of reviewers will say whether or not the price of the product is worth it. I don’t discuss price in my reviews and I’ll tell you why. First, I will admit that I have mentioned price in one or two of my reviews. In one, the item in question was a toy company’s version of a popular toy. I noted that the item was cheaper than the popular version, but that’s all I said about it. In another pre-official sex toy reviewer post, I mention the price outright and called it a good buy, but that was before I decided to not talk about price. So, what are my reasons for not discussing price?
1. All of the items I review were given to me for free, whether specifically for a review or as contest prizes. A couple were even gifts from others. I think there is one or two reviews for toys I’ve bought up on my blog, but that was before I started reviewing full time. Because I get these items for free, I don’t feel that it’s my place to say if the price is sensible or not. I believe my readers are quite capable of deciding that for themselves. If they click on a product link and decide the price is too high, then they don’t have to buy the item. It’s as simple as that.
2. I have a hard time justifying paying money for sex toys. My family has always struggled to keep our heads above water and we still do. Sex toys are a luxury to me. Some people think nothing of spending $50-$100 and beyond for sex toys, but there’s always something more important I can spend my money on. Besides, I’ve got hands to pleasure myself with and it’s not that difficult to pervert things that are already in my house. When I did buy toys, I looked for the best deals and cheapest products and I still would if I bought toys now.
3. I know there are people out there with limited funds who can’t afford high-end toys, either. Although some people preach about saving up for those expensive toys, it’s just not a viable option for a lot of people. Someone needs to do reviews for them. I get to review those pricier items now, but I never forget how it once was for me so I’m not afraid to ask for cheaper items to review.
4. What is an acceptable price to one person might be unacceptable to another. I keep to the specifics of the product and my personal experience in my reviews. I try to be as objective as I can while making sure I don’t sound completely like a copywriter. I could buy an item and say it’s worth the price, but another may think I’m crazy for thinking so. Who’s right? Both of us are because they are our opinions. But the most important opinion in this matter is that of the consumer.
5. Like all good reviewers should, I cover quality in my reviews. I once reviewed a pussy pump that had barely any suction to it. I didn’t have to mention its price to illustrate that it wasn’t a good buy. If despite my negative review someone wishes to click on the product’s link, that’s their choice. Who knows, they might find something better to purchase on the retailer’s website.
6. I feel that if mention the price in a negative fashion it might put the reader off of visiting the toy retailer’s site altogether. Even though I write honest and unbiased reviews, I still owe it to retailer who was kind enough to let me review free items a few clicks of the links. Once the consumer has done just that, the rest is up to them. Why deter them from doing that?
Leaving the price out doesn’t affect the quality of my reviews. I’m sure some people might not appreciate the fact that I do, but I stand by my reasoning. My readers should be discerning enough to figure out what is an acceptable price for them based on my reviews and their personal experience. Will I ever mention price in my reviews? Possibly, but only for items that I buy outright. Even then I’m not entirely sure it would be necessary. We’ll find out once I’m able to buy toys again, won’t we?
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Rockin' With a Cock in
“Even though I write honest and unbiased reviews” – I’m a little confused as to how your reviews can be unbiased. You’ve tried the toy, you have your opinions, so your review is biased, and that’s how it should be.
I completely agree with you that a consumer can click the link and find out the price if desired. I don’t want to convince someone that a product is a good deal or not. I don’t mention the price of an item for many of the reasons you listed, but in addition, prices can change, and I don’t want to quote one and have a reader feel misled.
.-= Rockin’ With a Cock in´s last blog ..Review : Babeland’s Mini Gallant =-.
Eliot
I meant unbiased as in regarding the company I’m reviewing for. The fact that I get my toys free has no bearing on how much I like or hate a product. I suppose I could have made that a bit clearer.
You make a good point about prices changing. That never even crossed my mind.
It’s good to know I’m not the only one who sees it this way.
Thanks for the comment, RWaC.
.-= Eliot´s last blog ..Top gift picks for the holidays =-.
Britni TheVadgeWig
You review a lot of inexpensive toys that I, and I hope you don’t take offense to this because that’s not how I mean it, would never review, free or not. After using enough toys, I can tell by looking at a toy whether or not it will be quality, how strong the vibrations will be, and if it’s well designed. I haven’t seen too many higher quality toys reviewed on your site yet, and I’m interested to see if your opinion on price changes as you review nicer toys.
I never through price mattered. At all. Until I began trying higher end toys. And because of that, I can’t with good conscience, really recommend most cheap toys. There are a few that I will, and I know what those ones are. For me, replacing a $20 bullet every 2 months becomes more expensive than saving for a Lelo toy or a Hitachi. Saving money for a Tantus or Njoy dildo ends up being less expensive in the long run then buying jelly dildos that breakdown and need to be replaced often, especially since those nicer materials will pretty much last you a lifetime. I find that, especially if you’re not toy collectors like many of us, if you save money and buy one or two really nice toys, you end up spending less than if you buy cheaper ones.
That’s just my two cents!
.-= Britni TheVadgeWig´s last blog ..Scared =-.
Eliot
First off, I’m not offended at all.
Secondly, I agree that in the long run saving up for higher quality toys is the better route. I was just underscoring the fact that it’s easier said than done. It’s always easier to spend a few bucks for a toy now than to save up a large amount for a toy later. Yes, you do end up spending more in the long run. Think of rent-to-own business. You spend more in the end if you rent than if you buy outright. But most people don’t want to do without while saving up.
I doubt my opinion will change. I don’t dispute the fact that the toys are generally better quality, but my overall stance remains the same: Higher quality is better but not very easily obtained. If my opinion does change, you know I’ll be writing about it. :-p
Thanks for the comment!
.-= Eliot´s last blog ..Top gift picks for the holidays =-.
Britni TheVadgeWig
I do have a question for you regarding the toys you review as you review more toys (make sense? ha). Are you finding yourself better able to tell if you’re going to like a toy before you’ve even received it? And are you getting more selective in the toys you review, or do you generally accept everything that’s offered to you?
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Eliot
1. I can guess if I’ll like a toy, but no, I really can’t tell. Even high quality toys can be disappointing, application-wise.
2. I get to choose all of the toys I review, with the exception of a few. When I reviewed for Cal Exotics I wasn’t able to choose. I don’t review for them anymore because I’m cutting back on the number of reviews I do per month. As for being more selective, I sometimes deliberately choose certain toys that are cheaper and/or that I haven’t seen reviewed before/often. Most of the time I choose an item based on how appealing the concept is and the reviews I’ve read for it
.-= Eliot´s last blog ..Top gift picks for the holidays =-.
Kayla
I try not to mention prices too often on my reviews, but for some things, it just makes sense. (Especially BDSM-toy wise.) For example, when it comes to most BDSM toys, they start out cheap but decent, and get more luxurious as you go up in price. So I like to try and recommend “If you’re on a low budget but want a high-quality toy, this is a great buy.” The problem with BDSM toys is that their price ranges are all over the place. The same flogger can be found from $20 to $150 with only a change in how the handle looks.
.-= Kayla´s last blog ..Book – The Art of Sensual Female Dominance =-.
Britni TheVadgeWig
I think with BDSM toys, especially if people are new to it, I recommend starting inexpensive to make sure that you even *like* the sensations of the toys. They’re so different from other toys, and each person responds so differently to the kinds of BDSM toys out there, that it’s always good to start inexpensive and then invest in a few nice, quality staples.
Like, crops in general don’t really give me much pain at all. I can handle a pretty severe “cropping.” Certain floggers, however, I’m really sensitive to and can’t take much of a beating at all. And canes I can’t handle AT ALL. Knowing this is important, because I know which items I want to invest in quality models of, and which ones I can get away with a cheaper one because it won’t get as much use.
BDSM toys, moreso than regular toys, are definitely ones to start out with a cheaper version before investing in a more expensive one.
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Eliot
Good points, Kayla. Thanks!
.-= Eliot´s last blog ..Top gift picks for the holidays =-.
Britni TheVadgeWig
Oh, and good topic, btw. I’m guilty of being a toy snob sometimes, though I readily acknoweldge that not everyone can afford higher end toys (like me!). It’s nice to get a discussion on price, and inexpensive toys and their benefits, going.
.-= Britni TheVadgeWig´s last blog ..Scared =-.
Eliot
Agreed. I love the discussions that have been had on here.
.-= Eliot´s last blog ..Top gift picks for the holidays =-.