Is "you get what you pay for" true for toys? (Full Version)

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Azdom13 -> Is "you get what you pay for" true for toys? (1/29/2008 12:16:28 PM)

I notice the huge disparity in prices of various floggers/whips and so on even when made from the same material and looking the same (at least on online sites )
In your experience, is a 150$ flogger/whip always better than a 60$ one? I don't care if it doesn't last 15 years, but good handling is a major factor
Thanks




littlebitxxx -> RE: Is "you get what you pay for" true for toys? (1/29/2008 12:27:09 PM)

In some instances, yes you do get what you pay for.  You'll find a huge difference between $40 floggers and $100 floggers mostly in the balance, length and width of tails, materials used, comfort in swinging, etc.  A flogger is something I personally would not buy online only for that reason - it's gotta be balanced and comfortable to the swinger.  The difference in materials used, width and cut of the tails, etc are more for the swing-ee to determine.  The diameter of the handle has to be a good fit for your hand, too small and you will cramp.  The length of the handle works with the balance.  The length of tails will make a difference in the accuracy.  The width of the tails and the cut at the end may or may not be conducive to breaking the skin.  The material gives different effects.  A lot of the fancier type, ie with studs and pretty silver things will drive the price up but the quality is still left lacking.  I do know of a couple sites (here in Canada mind you) that make quality floggers, I know the owners of one of them and can vouch.  I can PM them to you if you wish.

Whips I don't know so much about.  Depending on what you want, a stock store or tack shop would probably be your best bet for quality.  Crops are crops are crops, again a good quality tack shop. 

Don't know if that helped much, but is from my own experience.  And if you do happen to find a quality site, please let me know in return.  I manage an adult store and am always interested in good quality stuff.




SirMIkeSD -> RE: Is "you get what you pay for" true for toys? (1/29/2008 12:28:27 PM)

I normally will not by a Flogger online since I want to feel it's balance and how it feels in my hand.  With that being said I have purchased several from EBAY http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360017416307&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

Once you pull up that page, then "view sellers other items" the seller is "unowned_beauty" I had a friend show me a couple he got from her and they are great "warm-up or everyday" floggers depending on how hard you play.  The shorter "not x-long" ones are good for people just getting a hang of it since the shorter it is the easier it is to control.  I use a couple of these for warm up before moving on to various heavy rubber or leather ones I have on my boys.  The balance is good and you can pick them up for a reasonable price.

Mike





LadyHugs -> RE: Is "you get what you pay for" true for toys? (1/29/2008 12:52:28 PM)

Dear Azdom13, Ladies and Gentlemen;
 
I have never bought a flogger on-line.  I prefer seeing and inspecting the leather, see the way it travels, balance, quality of braiding and the like.  I would only purchase canes on-line from www.CANE-IAC.com as they have been of like mind. Single tails, I have bought Morgan single tails via catalog/on-line, I've also purchased on line from Rod Williams as well as Joe Wheeler.
 
I have Toy Bag floggers from the early 1990's.  The J. Heartwood floggers are now made by a lady I have known a long time that bought the Heartwood name, rights and such.  Her site is: www.heartwoodwhips.com   I am also pleased with DeTail Whips, at www.DeTailsToys.com
I wasn't pleased with their single tails at the time, as they were new to the skill of making them.  It takes practice to create great performing whips. 
 
I doubt if you will find much 'cheaper' whips than $150.00 or there abouts.  If you consider the time it takes to create just one whip, materials and shipping--it really is a reasonable cost.
 
I've seen people get cheap floggers and, they fall apart soon after you take a few healthy hits on a masochist or, the leather becomes dry and brittle--or 'dead leather.'
 
I have found that one can make 5 sensations from 1 standard 24 inch long tailed flogger.  One has the original flogger; 2) take back one-third of the tails and tuck under the hand on the handle; 3) take back one-half of the tails and tuck the other half under the hand; 4) take all but one-forth of the tails, tuck under the hand; 5) twist all the tails as to look like an old Coke bottle or barber pole line up of tails and send to the target.  Thus, I have one good flogger with options.  It then pays to have one good quality flogger than many cheap ones.  Second flogger can be a different weight flogger.  Can do the same trick with the other flogger in a different hand.  I usually use the heavier of the two in my weak hand and then when doing the Florentine in figure 8 or other patterns; they will feel the same weight but, you won't need to buy duplicate.
 
The options of how you wish to spend your hard earned money will be up to you.
 
Respectfully submitted for consideration,
Lady Hugs




antipode -> RE: Is "you get what you pay for" true for toys? (1/29/2008 1:42:39 PM)

Oh yes, most of my toys are very expensive, that's why I always end up with the blonde long legged ones... [:)]

(sorry, couldn't help myself there. I always get the cheapest gear)




Jayxkes -> RE: Is "you get what you pay for" true for toys? (1/29/2008 3:41:04 PM)

the price tag is no guarentee of quality etc.  just price.

I bought a matched pair of floggers for VERY little more than some single floggers cost at the same fet fair, on the same day, by other retailers.  10 years on and they are still in excellent condition and I've yet to hold a better flogger!  Freinds who were influenced by the name and 'get what you pay for' ideal,  have lived to regret it [;)]

I recently wanted a new single tail and thought I'd go for a well known maker who does make very good whips.  14 weeks later and after numerous excuses,  I asked for my money back.  His customer service is appalling.  Having asked for a refund,  he suddenly had time to make my whip!!!  I did eventually get my money back and will be spending it at  English Whips, http://www.whipstore.com/
By comparison their customer service is every bit as good as their products. 
A previous purcase from them was a whole week late.  They wrote and apologised thatit would be late and again in with the purchase.




Evility -> RE: Is "you get what you pay for" true for toys? (1/29/2008 4:17:14 PM)

Regarding floggers and whips I think there is a certain price point below which you cannot really make and market a quality product. Once you meet that price point, the notion that the more you pay the better the product will be is not necessarily true, either. There's a lot of expensive junk available and even if that pricey flogger is generally good quality, it may not be the right flogger for your needs.

I agree with LadyHugs about not buying a flogger or whip without having had a chance to handle and inspect it first to see how well it suits your needs.

I only own two floggers and I made them both myself because I didn't like what was commercially available either through major online retailers or even through smaller scale craftsmen and craftswomen. I made mine exactly like I wanted. They are not fancy in finish - more utilitarian in nature - but I have never been about fashion over function and I still get compliments on them when people see them up to and including requests to make one for them just like it. Being that they are rather personal in nature I have never replicated them.






TotalState -> RE: Is "you get what you pay for" true for toys? (1/29/2008 4:37:13 PM)

Let me put it like this...

One of my favorite implements is a 3 foot length of bamboo.  I got it for free.  It's durable, easy to use, and makes one hell of a THWACK when it hits a bare bottom. 

On the other hand, I also own an expensive flogger, which I adore.  But the bamboo gets much more use.




petdave -> RE: Is "you get what you pay for" true for toys? (1/29/2008 4:52:35 PM)

Usually the people who tell me that are trying to sell me something expensive [&:]

Seriously, it's as true as it is for buying anything else. There are some bargains out there, and talented people who seem to be selling their work for not much more than the cost of the materials, it seems; there are people who manufacture a superb product and know what it's worth, and there are people who are selling cheap crap (almost never things that they themselves have made) at a premium, which used to be referred to as the "kink tax". Usually if you have the opportunity to hold the item in your hands, it's easy to tell. If not, you're usually better off ordering from places that have been established in the community for a while- Stockroom, Mr. S, Northbound, etc.Word tends to get around, and it's hard to stay in that business for years if you don't sell a good product.




LuckyAlbatross -> RE: Is "you get what you pay for" true for toys? (1/29/2008 6:06:45 PM)

It's like most other things- for general purposes, buying a $40 corset will do what you want the same as a $300 corset will.

For those who wear them regularly, or who are fabric and design sluts, you will know that a $300 corset is absolutely nothing like a $40 corset and that it is worth ever penny for the extra.

There are of course some people charging insane markups for what they offer, and there are some people who can get you really great deals and discounts.

All depends on what you need/want and what you can find.  Be an informed buyer.

I tend to browse and window shop seriously at events, and then actually go comparison shopping online before making actual purchases- unless I get a really good event discount.




ThundersCry -> RE: Is "you get what you pay for" true for toys? (1/30/2008 4:40:27 PM)

You get what you pay for...
 
I have made purchaces from a few of the sites LadyHugs posted...
 
No...regrets.




AMaster -> RE: Is "you get what you pay for" true for toys? (2/7/2008 11:04:44 AM)

Not always.......  but you never get more than you pay for.




ForcefuIHands -> RE: Is "you get what you pay for" true for toys? (2/7/2008 11:53:38 AM)

I'll give you the best advice I have ever received: take the rolling plastic rod off the venetian blinds. I have an apartment, and this has served as one of the best improvised toys in my arsenal. Hotel rooms sometimes have them too. Cheers!




littlesui -> RE: Is "you get what you pay for" true for toys? (2/7/2008 12:22:21 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: SirMIkeSD

I normally will not by a Flogger online since I want to feel it's balance and how it feels in my hand.  With that being said I have purchased several from EBAY http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=360017416307&ssPageName=ADME:B:SS:US:1123

Once you pull up that page, then "view sellers other items" the seller is "unowned_beauty" I had a friend show me a couple he got from her and they are great "warm-up or everyday" floggers depending on how hard you play.  The shorter "not x-long" ones are good for people just getting a hang of it since the shorter it is the easier it is to control.  I use a couple of these for warm up before moving on to various heavy rubber or leather ones I have on my boys.  The balance is good and you can pick them up for a reasonable price.

Mike




I can vouch for unowned beauties floggers - I have several as do a number of my friends.

I agree about the corsets - my last one cost £179 (about $360 at the current rate ;o)) - and worth every penny :o)




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