Shopping in the city can be annoying. Stores are crowded, associates can be pushy, and getting around is often a drag. Shopping for sex toys adds an extra layer of discomfort. It is, in a word, awkward. And it’s not necessarily an experience you want to share with a stranger. Fortunately, there are ways around that kind of encounter. The Internet is a perfect place for private shoppers. Hop online, pick out your product, plug in your cred card information, and boom, your order is processed. Although, there are certain precautions you want to take when shopping for intimate products online. Listed before are a few things

Do Your Research

Sex toy materials matter. Items containing phthalates can cause damage to the body, and have largely fallen out of favor among most manufacturers. It’s best to stick to toys made out of medical-grade silicone, hard-plastics, glass or metal. These materials are non-toxic and non-porous, which means bacteria, mildew, fungus and other sorts of nasty will have a much harder time settling in.

Stick To An Official Retailer

Official retailers have a duty to include chargers, instructions and other accessories that might be necessary for use. They also typically abide by discreet shipping methods, meaning their packages will arrive with nondescript labels. That way, your wife, your mom, your kids, your neighbors, or whomever else may be lurking around won’t be able to identify your private purchase. Keep that in mind, and happy shopping.

Get Your Warranty

Technology is improving but let’s be honest, things can go awry. Securing a warranty on a product is going to reduce your chances of getting stuck with a lemon. Most official retailers offer warranties of their products, which provide customers more security than other e-commerce sites typically offer.

Read the Reviews

Even if you follow all of the above instructions, there is a chance you’re not going to like what you get. Read the reviews to get a better sense of the product’s more IRL properties. Maybe it makes more noise than you’d like it to. Maybe the motor is weaker than what you want. Maybe it’s too intense. See what others have to say, and go from there. For sex toy reviews, check out these sites: Toy with me and Kinkly.

If you are comfortable shopping at a retail store, then check out our guide to sex shops in New York City :)