Out here, in there: Store sells used dildos at a discount

By Christian Böhmer

Strasbourg - The Strasbourg boutique "(Dé)boutonné-e-s" is offering vibrators and other sex toys at a discount of around 20 to 30 percent. The reason: the erotic bargains are second-hand.

Adèle Roy, store owner of the Love Store "(Dé)boutonné-e-s", presents her stocked goods.
Adèle Roy, store owner of the Love Store "(Dé)boutonné-e-s", presents her stocked goods.  © Marius Bulling/dpa

They were previously selected, cleaned and disinfected by a newly founded French company, as the co-founder of the so-called Love Store, Adèle Roy, told the German Press Agency.

"We are the first official store in France to offer such a service," Roy added. "Until now, it was very difficult to recycle sex toys." French and German media reported.

What do customers think about the second-hand goods in a few baskets, which only make up a small part of the range?

Julia Gonzalez from Strasbourg simply said: "It's cheaper." In addition, reusing goods is in line with their values. She has no concerns. "I'm very relaxed about it," she said.

"Some people are surprised because it's new," said owner Roy. The idea of buying second-hand sex toys is a bit strange, she said. After an explanation, however, there is usually understanding, reported the 28-year-old.

Used vibrators, which were once used to bring other users to orgasmic screams of pleasure, can also be found in the French store's range.
Used vibrators, which were once used to bring other users to orgasmic screams of pleasure, can also be found in the French store's range.  © Marius Bulling/dpa

Second-hand: How to breathe new life into used sex toys

The "(Dé)boutonné-e-s" boutique claims to be the first store to offer used sex toys.
The "(Dé)boutonné-e-s" boutique claims to be the first store to offer used sex toys.  © Marius Bulling/dpa

She founded the store not far from the central Place Kléber around five years ago together with her mother Caroline Nerry. There are now also stores in Niort in the west of France and in Lyon.

Used sex toys are not collected at (Dé)boutonné-e-s (in full spelling: "The unbuttoned ones"). This is the job of the Réjouis company run by engineer Benoni Paumier in the northern French region of Normandy. Only appliances made from flawless materials are recycled.

At the end of a multi-stage cleaning process, the appliances are disinfected with UV-C rays, according to the Réjouis website. This corresponds to a cleaning process for instruments used in gynecology.

Hygiene standards of this kind would also be desirable in Germany, according to a consumer advocate. The market there has not yet developed in this way, said Benjamin Räther, legal advisor at the Berlin Consumer Advice Center, when asked.

"You should check the providers and explicitly check the hygiene measures that have been taken," the expert advised.