dearlady.com

[bondageslave36]

Just ordered a few toys from dearlady.com.

They had the best prices out of anybody I was able to find online, but was wondering what everyone's opinion was on the following:

I got everything in my cart and ready do go, entered my billing and shipping information, and one of the last pages has a checkbox on it that says, "Discreet shipping: $2.25". Apparently, if you don't check that box, they won't give you discreet shipping? I think it's kind of a dirty tactic to gain a little extra money. I am curious to know what happens if you don't check that box? Does the Doc Johnson Dildo-Mobile pull up in front of your house with a giant package marked "SEX TOYS INSIDE! THE OWNER OF THIS HOUSE MASTURBATES!"?

Is it not assumed to have discreet packaging with all order of that nature? Should a company charge more to provide that kind of thing to you?

I had a small moral dilemma to decide if I should continue my order or not. I eventually decided to do it because I found a small coupon code on another website that gave me 10% off (Code: 797, if you cared). So, it pretty much cancelled out that $2.25, and my final price was still cheaper than anywhere else I found.

What do you all think about this practice?

[str0be]

Is it not assumed to have discreet packaging with all order of that nature? Should a company charge more to provide that kind of thing to you?

I think it's smart for them to charge for it. They are a business after all and they have a service that shy people would easily pay for. (in this case discreet packaging) They are in the business of making money and at least this is a service that gets you something for your money as opposed to charging like $15 for shipping & handling on something that costs like $5 to ship.

I think if you don't go witht he discreet, it just means that the box will likely still have the company name in the return address. While this company name isn't like say, iamapervert.com, it is a website so a curious enough person could still check it out after seeing the name on your package. (hehe package)

So in this case, your $2.25 buys you peace of mind that no one will know what you are ordering while not paying it lets you wonder.

str0be

[bondageslave36]

I have a correction, the sites name is dearlady.com not dear-lady.com

I guess you are right. From a business point of view. I just don't like last minute charges. And shipping wasn't free either... I think I was charged like 8 bucks on something that probably cost them 2 to ship, but whatever... still a cheaper total than anywhere else.

[mu]

Does the Doc Johnson Dildo-Mobile pull up in front of your house with a giant package marked "SEX TOYS INSIDE! THE OWNER OF THIS HOUSE MASTURBATES!"?

I lol'd.

[camipco]

I'm with the op, this is a skeezy practice. Discrete shipping should be an industry standard. When I order pizza, I don't expect an additional charge for them to deliver it still hot.

The "Doc Johnson" has an amusing history. The company was founded by Reuben Sturman, who basically single-handedly invented the modern porn industry. He named his sex-toy company in honor of then-president Lyndon Johnson who went after Sturman with obscenity charges. There's a superb chapter in Eric Schlosser's book "reefer madness" about Sturman, which I would recommend to anyone who partakes of the porn industry. It's a fascinating story.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuben_Sturman

[bondageslave36]

Does the Doc Johnson Dildo-Mobile pull up in front of your house with a giant package marked "SEX TOYS INSIDE! THE OWNER OF THIS HOUSE MASTURBATES!"?

I lol'd.

It's just a slightly modified Oscar Meyer Wiener Mobile.

I'm with the op, this is a skeezy practice. Discrete shipping should be an industry standard. When I order pizza, I don't expect an additional charge for them to deliver it still hot.

I couldn't agree more. I guess they are banking on the fact that a person who checks that box won't raise too much of a stink about it. They are obviously embarrassed about buying toys, so they won't publicly complain. When you look at it like that, it's almost exploitation. Someone who doesn't care about discreet shipping won't care either way, as they aren't being charged for the service.

The "Doc Johnson" has an amusing history. The company was founded by Reuben Sturman, who basically single-handedly invented the modern porn industry. He named his sex-toy company in honor of then-president Lyndon Johnson who went after Sturman with obscenity charges. There's a superb chapter in Eric Schlosser's book "reefer madness" about Sturman, which I would recommend to anyone who partakes of the porn industry. It's a fascinating story.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reuben_Sturman

Good information there. I never realized I was shoving former president Lyndon Johnson up my ass. I'll be sure to salute my toys and fart the national anthem next time I masturbate.

[blue_down_under]

I think it's smart for them to charge for it. They are a business after all and they have a service that shy people would easily pay for. (in this case discreet packaging) They are in the business of making money and at least this is a service that gets you something for your money as opposed to charging like $15 for shipping & handling on something that costs like $5 to ship.

I disagree. The company is in the business of selling sex toys, and I think most people would expect discreet packaging as standard practice. I think adding a charge for it alienates the customer base, I, for example, certainly won't be shopping there now, or at any other place that has a similar policy, and it seems bondageslave feels the same, except for the discount he was getting. I would argue good business practices are the ones that keep customers coming back, not the ones that make the company perhaps an extra 5% (at best) on a single order.

[bondageslave36]

I think it's smart for them to charge for it. They are a business after all and they have a service that shy people would easily pay for. (in this case discreet packaging) They are in the business of making money and at least this is a service that gets you something for your money as opposed to charging like $15 for shipping & handling on something that costs like $5 to ship.

I disagree. The company is in the business of selling sex toys, and I think most people would expect discreet packaging as standard practice. I think adding a charge for it alienates the customer base, I, for example, certainly won't be shopping there now, or at any other place that has a similar policy, and it seems bondageslave feels the same, except for the discount he was getting. I would argue good business practices are the ones that keep customers coming back, not the ones that make the company perhaps an extra 5% (at best) on a single order.

It is kind of like a company saying, "we are going to use scotch tape on your box, if you want to upgrade to packaging tape, please add $2.25. Don't say we didn't warn you. Oh, and say hello to your mother for me."

As it is, I probably won't end up shopping there again. I went ahead with my order because I already had everything added to my cart. I may write them an email with my feelings on this practice after my order arrives. I just wanted to make sure others felt the same way about it first. Perhaps if I cite this thread and let them know they are losing potential business because of it, they will be up front about it or won't tack that on anymore. I should also request a refund of that $2.25, because I do feel I was charged for something that is assumed you won't be charged for (packaging tape upgrade? anyone?). If they drop that charge and agree to be a little more up front about not having discreet shipping without paying extra, I'd consider shopping with them again.

I'll keep you updated on what they have to say about it.

Anybody else have an opinion on this? Anybody else who won't shop here because of this practice?

[Victor2184]

I'm sorry, this turned into a long, but fun, post. I warn you it goes WAAAAYYYY!!! off topic but wraps up in the end. I also want to mention the Pizza Delivery analogy was spot on in that it was funny and logical...don't think it can't happen that there is a warm pie service fee in our future. And if a $16.00 pizza is instead $10.00 plus a $4.25 WPSF, guess which pizza place I'm dialing right now. I mean they charge for ingredients at different prices for chix $2.00 vs pepperoni $1.00, so why not a box charge, a not delivered upside down with the cheese melted to the box charge, a not burned charge, a cutting into slices charge. Think about were it is your drawing the line and ask how relevant it is. Every fee takes advantage of some want or need. That is kinda the point. If there wasn't the need or the market, there (SP which there is it they're or the one i used???) wouldn't be the fee.

...

Great thread. Here's why i don't sympathize. I'm American, and this sounds like capitalism. So, that's that. I'm not a particular fan of everything being capitalism, but it gets the job done in most cases, at least 3/4ths in my opinion. I'm the type of person who grew up post-"this is your total and it includes everything."

Man I've grown up in a time and country that it is legal for utility services to actually charge a fee, call it a regulated service charge or local/state/federal tax, whether it is supposed to be paid by co. or is completely fake or fabricated, it is completely legal. I'm living in a time and place where a bank, as in a place where money is kept, stored, and traded/moved, charges people to take the money out...let me explain:

Person A goes to their bank (lets call it 1st Nat'l Bank of Greed). Deposits $1000.00 cash into an account they've head plus 15 years.

A few days prior they wrote a $250.00 check to person B, and gave it to them just after the deposit.

Later that same day person B decides, 'I'll cash this.' So, instead of going to they're own bank (5th/3rd Bailouts & Loans) 10 miles away and waiting a week to have access to funds they deposit in their own account (which by the way 1st NBoG will transfer the $250.00 to 5/3 B&L either within the hour when the transactions are cycled and sent via satellite to central processing, or at midnight when the days business is reconciled, but they aren't legally required to open these funds for availability to person B for i believe 10 days or even more, cause we still deliver all financial info via horse and buggy in the US, but gas prices go up 10 - 15% if a oil driller's daughter catches a cold somewhere in Saudi Arabia. Somehow gas company's learned how to use those confusing internets that W. is always talkin about and can coordinate all of their accounting in mere seconds. Kinda funny how they never need 'bailed out' and set record profits in recession and depression times when banks fail, not a coincidence folks) But i digress...

Person B, having said screw waiting a week and wasting gas, I'll go get the money from the bank that physically has the actual funds owed to me. So, off to the nearest 1st NBoG branch down the street, which happens to be the same branch that cash was deposited in early in the day.

Person B waits in line, greets the teller, with a calm pleasant tone says, "may i cash this check one of your customers wrote me?"

Teller A says, "sure do you have an account with us?"

Person B, "Well of course not, otherwise I'd prolly just deposit this wouldn't I?"

Teller A, "That'll be $10.00, and i need to see 2 forms of ID and your tumb print on the check please."

Person B, "ohh no i didn't clearly mention this check is from your bank not another."

Teller A, "Yes i understand, that'll be $10.00"

Person B, "Ok just take it out of my money, you've clearly earned it. So i guess people stopped cashing checks and that's why you needed my tax dollars?"

Teller A, "No we were bought out by a bank from our neighboring state with your tax money because we we're so poorly run even the gov't wouldn't invest in us."

Person B, "you don't say?"

Teller A, "here's your $240.00 and have a nice day."

Person B, "Please buy something nice with my 10 bucks for yourself, i hope your son gets bacterial meningitis at school tomorrow."

Teller A, "tomorrow's Saturday, but thanx anyway."

Person b, "Figures..."

...

Yeah this scenario did happen, except i just WANTED to say the 2nd last one and prayed for it later that night but the rest was true.

Ohh by the way, for those skeptics, Person A deposited cash into that very same bank at that very same branch a few hours earlier that day, so in effect they literally gave me the exact same money that was deposited and charged me for the privilege.

So, does a young man of 24 sympathize with capitalism ripping you off of $2.00 for an actual service that actually changes the method they ship/handle your product under normal circumstances by maybe costing a net of 4 more cents per package...if not you, some other person. No not really, I'm sure you grew up or even lived in a time were everything didn't have a sin tax or a service fee. Do i agree with it, NOT AT ALL, but some things won't change till they have too. That's how capitalism and the world, in general, work.

From your individual personal habits to global crisis, all things human change only when they must, so when a competitor offers no extra fees and threatens to put the fee crazy website out of business, it will stop charging.

When enough of the world becomes chaos (think mid east) we'll all be adults and take away certain rights/abilities/privileges & sanction/punish BOTH SIDES, like you do when children act like...well CHILDREN. What is the official policy of these 2 "govt." anyway? Daddy America said i could have it! well i saw it first so its mine. I'm young yes, but this really isn't that complicated. "If you 2 don't stop I'll turn this car around." All of us around the world are like bickering divorced parents letting these children pit us against eachother. We need to, EVENTUALLY, step up as a team and say, "you do it again we're gonna separate you 2, and no one will get it." I got a promise for you morons who made a state by simple declaration (US govt.), and for you imbeciles who think lets just terrorize these guys till we get what we want (Both sides). No matter what either of you do, in 1000 years, neither of you or your direct descendants will own/run the lands you now have or re draw in the near future. The map will be totally different no matter what you do, stop killing over a damn line on a piece of paper it just isn't that important. But it may not take that long, but it will happen eventually, ohh my point, when we HAVE TO separate these 2 children, we will, but certainly not any sooner.

If natural forces alter enough of the planet to really threaten all of us IMMINENTLY, we'll change our ways or create/invent a way to cope and harness the new landscape. It is what we do. Yeah folks The biggest desert in the world today (hint, it starts with an 'S' and rhymes with Sahara) made the amazon look like an oasis in terms of the size of jungle it used to be, and since the sphinx was built during that time thousands of years ago, it means humans were there and clearly must have cause the plate tectonic shifts throughout the planet that altered the world climate and completely changed that landscape. You guess it, i hate Environmentalist as much a religion...yulk. But if we had the same discussion thousands of years ago they'd have some reason like you didn't sacrifice all your sheep to Gilgamesh and look how he punished us all. See a pattern in how we settle in fertile lands, flourish is amazing cities, and over time the earth changes and we move to the next fertile land while a few stragglers make due with the new landscape in the original spot, think pyramids.

Ohh all 4 major Ice ages, from the first know somewhere around 2.5 billion years ago, you know 2.499 billion years before the first land ape was even born, was totally man made to. The interglacial period we've been in for over 100,000 years, that is near an interval change back to a glacial period (geologically past due in-fact), just like every 40,000-100,000 years, we are completely at fault for that to. It was actually never going to happen again, the earth just said enough i think everything's perfect. By the power of captain planet all geological cycles stop forever...But we decided to herd some cows and burn some coal and the earth got pissed and decided it'd start a 100 million year old cycle again solely because of us. Are you all following, our human ape ancestors survived an ice age and the global warming that precedes one, They're ancestors also weathered one, we will to, we just won't start preparing till AFTER things change, but not before they do. It's how we roll.

...

As I'm no where on topic anymore I'll thread it all together...Things have changed, whether you like it or not, it is that way now. You not shopping there again will:
A) not affect them staying in business
B) last ONLY as long as you can afford it
and
C) in my opinion, be an unwise financial decision...if in the end you pay less, go with that Co. silly goose

The moral here folks is, If it is cheaper, don't bitch or worry about how the co. makes it happen. I mean A LITTLE lead in our toys and A LITTLE plastic in our food supply isn't gonna kill us...quickly. And what doesn't kill us...you know the rest

[bondageslave36]

Holy crap, dude. I never thought I'd see the day where oil company surcharges, the ice age and Saudi Arabia would be mentioned in the same thread, let alone the same post. Perhaps you need to find a tease that allows you to orgasm... all of that pressure seems to be making you angry.

Just kidding, thanks for the input.

[Victor2184]

Ha ha ha. I was on a roll. Thanx for the suggestion. The key is weaving it all back. Point is life can suck if you let it. Little stuff while wrong won't change for that reason alone, but only if it must.