V-day Special: Shanghai's Sex Shops Overview Friday, 12 February 2010 00:40 Written by kara

Since V-day is coming-up, and because I co-own a sex shop here, I thought I'd take the time to talk about what's available in Shanghai and where you can get it. As I'm obviously biased, I welcome you to take my advice with a grain of...MSG.

In the review: Buccone's, Oh! Toys, G-Le, Amy's Bedroom and of course that sex toy market. There are also some recommendations for Valentine's shopping with someone special.

Image credit: krazydad

Buccone's
3822 Hongmei Lu
$$$$

If money were no object (no object!), I'd shop at Buccone's over my own store, a n d I'd have my 24/7 personal driver to take me there. They have an unparalleled selection of high-end and import products in Shanghai, but that's only because Buccone's is owned by Top Co, the people who do all of the importing for American erotic brands like Cal-Exotics, Adam & Eve, Doc Johnson, etc. The wholesale prices for these products are so ridiculously high that I haven't seen any sex shop in Shanghai stock anything other than Top Co-imported lubes.

So without considering price, I think where Buccone's excels is their: 1) erotic board games, with good themes and no Chinglish; 2) massage oils and lubes, though with many small/questionable brands; 3) sheer variety in everything; 4) friendly staff, that always answers all my questions with a smile, even though I never buy a thing. Keep in mind though, eighty percent of the sex toys they stock are available for purchase at any of the other shops listed, and all for a considerably less...like hundreds of RMB difference.

But if you're looking for something new, and you have some RMB to burn through, go to Buccone's.

Oh! Toys
106 Nanchang Lu near Yandang Lu
$$

Many expats have already heard of Oh!Toys, and rightly so. The interior is pretty spacious, suave, and with that dark modern-metro look. The staff isn't that smiley, but they will help you (if you can speak a bit of Chinese) nonetheless. The upstairs contains a large selection of lingerie (much larger than my shop's own selection), and though I think you could probably source all it all back to Taobao or Qipu Lu, not having to deal with either of those venues is a huge plus in my book. Shopping in a clean and roomy setting is nice as well.

Oh! Toys, like most other Shanghai sex shops, boasts the Swedish brand “Lelo.” I have mixed feelings about Lelo (another topic entirely), which is why my shop has held back in stocking it for so long. I also fear it's becoming the “Prada, sexy DVD, Montblanc, Rolex?” of the mainland sex toy industry, as I've recently spotted Lelo fakes infiltrating the Shanghai sex toy market. Though I don't personally know the owners of Oh! Toys or Buccone's, I doubt you'd have to question the genuineness of Lelo or other high-end brands sold there, and the owner of G-Le who goes by Coco, is really passionate about sex toys and wouldn't stock an inferior product.

Oh! Toys is moderately priced, and even though I don't personally like the dark boudoir aesthetic (too gloomy for me), many people have told me they have been happy with their purchases there. I'd say their unique point is their large lingerie selection.

G-Le
142 Jinxian Lu
$$

Recently G-Le got a bad rap through the recent That's Shanghai article on sex shops. The editors had such a horrible experience they o n l y published their scathing review of G-Le online—so you won't be able to read about it in the print version. I'll quickly give background on why G-Le got a poor review.

G-le currently employs a boy who once had a very brief stint working at my shop before we fired him immediately for sexual harassment. A few months later, Coco of G-Le hired him and he was extremely inappropriate with the That's Shanghai journalists. I've recently checked the comments of the review, and apparently he has sexually-harassed a number of female shoppers.

Besides this drama, G-Le is a very comfortable shop when Coco is working. I honestly appreciate that it's small and accessible. It's one of those shops that has good decoration, lighting, and you can get in and out fast. Coco stocks a good variation of products from inexpensive to Lelo, and then also some high-end brands that are hard to come by in Shanghai. There is also an impressive selection of realistic-looking dildos.

So I'd say that G-Le's strongest point would be that they stock two or three unique brands. They are near some popular expat bars too—so location is also a plus. Don't expect lingerie or costumes here as this places is all about condoms, lube and sex toys.

That sex toy market
428 Tianmu Xi Lu
$

If you aren't a wholesale buyer, don't expect to get those prices. This place is the cheapest option of the lot, but the products are also questionable. Do not buy high-end products here. You can't return any faulty goods here, so if you do decide to purchase anything, make sure (much like buying DVDs) to ask the seller to put batteries in to test the motor.

Basically all the rules for shopping at any big market in China apply, except remember that you're not wearing the sex toy or lube on your shoulder, you are putting it inside your vagina.

Amy's Bedroom
160 Xiangyang Lu (near Shanxi Nan Lu subway station Line 1)
$$

Last but not least, the shop that I co-own.  I'm personally pretty proud of our product selection as we try to source most things from China so that we can keep prices lower, and it takes a bit of work to find really safe and innovative product domestically. We've recently re-done our men's selection, and instead of nude-female masturbator sleeves, we have them in harmless beer-bottle and cup-noodle shapes.

As for women's vibrators, we have anything from cartoon keychain clit-massagers to realistic 9-inch dildos. We have lots of gifts that range from obvious raunch, such as penis-shape pillows, to cuter selections such as red thongs rolled and disguised as rose buds on stems.

We stock some lingerie sets, but as you can get your sexy underwear at many places in Shanghai, I'd say that our role-playing costumes are a rare buy. One thing that we don't have, but are working really hard at being able to sell is skin-tight full-body PVC/latex costumes—sourcing those materials has been a trip. We also sell an array of black, baby-pink and cherry-colored BDSM leather gear.

I'm going to talk with Julia about Dolls discounts in a few weeks or so, but we won't have those going until after CNY. To sum everything up on Amy's Bedroom, I would say that our unique quality is cute, raunchy gifts, as other shops only sell sex toys, sexual health/contraceptive items, lingerie, and handcuff-type items.

Our website is under reconstruction, but you can google our location easily—and yes, it's correct.

Also, if you're shopping for something special to use with your lover on Valentine's day, I have a few fun item recommendations:

• Vibrating cockrings. It doesn't matter if you're a lesbian or heterosexual couple, these rings are great for hands-free toy-assisted sex. Really a good buy if you are dating a man who is scared of toys as it's small and not scary—we sell a heart-shaped one. If you're a lesbian couple, I'd recommend buying two, and twisting them in opposite directions. Keep in mind that coin-battery operated toys wear-out quickly, so a good rule of thumb is use with one session only and then recharge or buy more batteries—you don't want them wearing out in the middle.
• Sex toy games. If your V-day date is somewhat new, I'd especially recommend buying something that's fun and instigates sex/intimacy in a different way. We stock a Jenga game that has an intimacy type prompt on each block—they range from “give somebody a kiss” to “tell about your first kiss”. Again, Buccone's has a large selection of sexual boardgames.
• Role-playing costumes! Jazz it up. Does he like boats? Was he in the army? Unless we're dealing with PTSD or drowning accidents, get the according costume...stat!

That's Shanghai did a recent write-up on Shanghai's sex-shop scene (feb '10) (web version here).

Anyone have any experiences with the above shops? Or have any shops that I haven't listed? Post in the comments.

Comments 

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#12 mr — 2011-02-28 21:14

hi im from RSA and will be visiting shanghai from 7-11 march.this is to import erotic lingerie and sex toys.
can u pls assist?

thank u
francois

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#11 pole dancing — Hannah Babel 2010-08-05 10:48

I noticed pole dancing classes, is this still happening? :)

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#10 Great article — shanghaisimon 2010-07-01 15:00

I've read some good reviews of Amy's Bedroom, and will have to visit now for sure! I've shopped at both Buccone and Oh! Toys. Both shops were pretty nice inside with a good selection. I've purchased a few times now at Oh! Toys as their prices really are that much better than Buccone. Looking forward to my visit to Amy's Bedroom.

As for silicone vibrators, my pal Eric, who was the designer of the Lelo line, has since left Lelo and has launched Tickler. Tickler is a new line of vibrators, but much more affordable and accessible than the Lelo brand. The Tickler line are cute, not at all intimidating, and very high quality at a budget everyone can afford. Ticklers are waterproof and are covered in medical grade silicone. I highly recommend these as a first vibrator for any ladies (and guys) out there who have never owned one before. Also, as these are 100% silicone skinned, they present no issues to those with Latex allergies.

Btw, regarding Latex allergies and condoms, does anyone know if Durex Avanti (also known as Avanti Ultima or Avanti Bare) condoms are sold in Shanghai? I'm not allergic to latex, but I find these non-latex kind to be more comfortable, and transmit more sensation... and they don't have that sometimes overpowering latex smell.

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#9 Interviews for new toy company — julia 2010-03-29 16:29

If I can find a spare five minutes in my crazy schedule then I will do it... maybe we could tack it on to the end of the next pole dancing class? We could have lunch after and do the interview then... Kara / Elena / Beverly you up for it?

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#8 Interviews for new toy company — yoxoxo 2010-03-29 16:11

Hello Julia, Elena and Kara

Business consultant by day -- budding pole dancer on weekends -- special projects for friends whenever the time allow!

Working with a friend in California who's concept is a luxury, adult toy business, designed for and empowering to women. The ethos might be described as 'Apple meets Jimmy Choo'. The market positioning would fall closer to a 'Kiki de Montparnasse' than the reproductive health stores that seem to be in every neighborhood here in Shanghai.

I'm working on developing individual ethnographies and use-case scenarios that will be used to shape product design, channels to market as well as the eventual brand. Hoping to conduct 'guided discussions' with a cross section of women (background, marital status, toy owners and non-owners) to understand attitudes regarding the current landscape of product/offerings, purchase behaviors and what women would like to see in the future.

Anyone willing to be an interviewee? Thx. Yolanda

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#7 RE: G-Le — elena 2010-03-18 12:29

Yeah that guy was really a bit too much. I definitely didn't want to see a demonstration on how to use a fake vagina, even though it was done in the air.

I heard from another Dolls that when she came in he offered her to stay with him for dinner he ordered from Pier39. Of course she didn't.

His behavior doesn't really turn me off, it's just that next time I won't go there alone. I better bring my boyfriend over.

I really liked the interior and the products.

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#6 G-Le — julia 2010-03-15 15:06

A few of us just happened to wander into G-Le without realising what store it was and the guy was working. He was watching porn on his laptop when we were in there and kept asking one of the girls if she wanted to watch - lol... I guess you have to be a certain type of person to be comfortable in a sex shop in the first place, which means that you can just laugh it off when the shop assistant is a little on the seedy side!

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#5 Oh, and — kara 2010-02-26 14:17

oother obvious safe choices for products are glass, HARD plastic, ceramic, and metal.

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#4 Latex — kara 2010-02-26 14:16

I'd being willing to bet that most of your allergic responses to sex toys were not because of the phthalates but because of the latex. Even some "silicone" toys contain a small amount of latex rubber mixed in them. So when you buy "silicone" toys make sure the product box does not say "FOR NOVELTY USE ONLY" on the side. If they say this, it basically removes the company from any legal responsibility from sicknesses induced by the chemicals/materials in their sex toys.

Even on a high-end domestic line ("fabulous lover") that boasts a english label declaring the product phthalate and latex free, has also a label that says "for novelty use only," which is unnerving. This is frustrating because we try to stock products that anybody can use and in all price categories, but those with moderate to serious allergies to phthalates and latex rubber MAY be forced to buy only international brands like Jimmy Jane, Lelo, etc, etc--in which case they will pay dearly for them.

Of course, a viable excuse to buy the creme-de-la-creme ain't a bad thing, but it does get costly. And I've discovered vulvas and their orgasms aren't as discriminate about taste and appearance as people are. Though, re-chargeable sex toys are worth their money saved in replacing batteries!

For people with phthalate allergies, or people who are using their sex toys with multiple partners i always recommend swaddling them in a condom. But in your case, that won't work. And I doubt sheep intestine condoms would barricade you from a chemical allergy, either.

As for the sex toy parties, those are totally in the works. We'll start offering them in a month or two when our new website (finally) comes into the air. I'd love to get together a party with Dolls members after that time--but somebody would have to volunteer a space, or we could rent out some room in a restaurant.

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#3 Materials... — julia 2010-02-26 11:47

Kara - I think phthalates is what the guy said in Sydney too... I am unfortunately allergic to Latex as well (works well for using condoms!) and again I know some other girls with the same issue... I did buy a product in Aus that the guy told me was phthalates free, so will let you know how that one goes. Any other information you find out about your products would be great.

Also, do you guys do sex toy parties? We did one a while back with the Dolls and it was loads of fun and some of the girls didn't get to come so they were hoping for me to organise another one.

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