Opinion piece - the price to pay

A lighthearted take on wallets and the world of BDSM

I find this topic particularly important because it directly affects our wallets. The world of BDSM, however beautiful, remains a hobby that can quickly become expensive.

The different categories of suppliers

• DIY enthusiasts: Some make their own equipment, often with great skill, and find everything they need at stores like Castorama.
• Artisan shops (online or physical): They offer handmade creations, justifying the high prices through the quality of the materials, the time it takes to manufacture them, and the small production runs.
• Mass-market shops: These stores don't sell original creations, but rather standardized products, often imported from China. The problem? They sometimes resell them for 3 to 9 times their actual price. Of course, there are costs (storage, salaries, etc.), but this completely distorts the price-quality ratio.

An obvious solution: AliExpress

In the past, there was a simple solution to avoid these extra costs: AliExpress. It offered almost everything that online stores or sex shops without original creations offered, at affordable prices.

• Products at very low prices, often with free shipping and no import taxes.
• The possibility of consulting wholesale prices to better understand the margins applied.
• Striking examples: an item for 10 euros on AliExpress, resold for 60 euros or more in stores.

A blow for enthusiasts

Unfortunately, since the Schein doll scandal, AliExpress has made a drastic decision (at least for Europe): all sex toys have been removed from the search engine. Keywords are blocked, and it is now almost impossible to find anything on it. A real disappointment for me, who was discovering so many exciting things on this platform.

What remains?

There are still a few alternatives, such as MEO, but it must be said that most of the products there are simply resold at high prices, often directly from AliExpress.

A call for vigilance

Today, it is becoming increasingly difficult to escape high prices. I continue to look for solutions and remain open to all your advice! If you know of any good addresses or tips to save money, do not hesitate to share them. I will highlight them in a future update if they are worthwhile.

Never forget to play in complete safety!

Be Geek, Be Kinky!