When Amazon said it was going to diversify, who knew that they meant vibrators!

December 16, 2001 3:24 PM

When Amazon said it was going to diversify, who knew that they meant vibrators! They've done so well establishing themselves as THE place to go when looking for books online. Why is it that they think that they have to sell XXX stuff to finally turn a profit? Is it really impossible to make money on an eCommerce site without delving into the world of Adult accessories? I'm not judging, I'm just asking.
posted by tsarfan (24 comments total)

AstroGlide delivered to my doorstep! This represents a major leap in consumer science!
posted by apollo at 3:32 PM on December 16, 2001

Gotta love the comments, though.
posted by XiBe at 3:33 PM on December 16, 2001

here's the link without the affiliate code. And the product is from drugstore.com. It only shows up on Amazon due to their partnership.
posted by anildash at 3:34 PM on December 16, 2001

That's one gift down *checks off list*.
posted by eyeballkid at 3:37 PM on December 16, 2001

Aww, now my "Store You Made" is gonna be all icky for a while.
posted by rodii at 3:40 PM on December 16, 2001

what's the matter anildash, don't you want Tony to get a new car?
posted by machaus at 3:52 PM on December 16, 2001

I don't see what's adult about this. They're simply personal massagers, for knotted neck muscles. The lubricant is for legitimate medical problems that some have with dryiness. How could you possibly imply anything untoward in these items?

hahaha.
posted by akmonday at 4:17 PM on December 16, 2001

You may also be interested in these items...
...Ghost Soldiers: The Forgotten Epic Story of World War II's Most Dramatic Mission

Huh?
posted by normy at 4:28 PM on December 16, 2001

"For novelty use only"

What does that mean?
posted by NsJen at 4:31 PM on December 16, 2001

Well, like this :

*places two vibrators on head, and makes mooing sounds*




Har.
posted by Hima Otsubusu at 4:38 PM on December 16, 2001

Check the description for the "Related Item", the Vibratex Rabbit Habit: "Vibratex™ Deluxe Vibrators' unique design is the result of a centuries-old Japanese tradition of exploring sensual delights. Featuring the ancient artistic practice of depicting faces of people and animals, an art form which dates back to the era of the Shogun when craftsmen were prohibited from making sex toys resembling male genitalia. "
posted by Big Fat Tycoon at 4:49 PM on December 16, 2001

Psst.
posted by margaretlam at 4:51 PM on December 16, 2001

Interestingly, the page appears to be their internal portal to drugstore.com stock. It might have little to do with Amazon and everything to do with a dotcom that's having an even tougher time. Search there for "vibrator" and you'll get a rather broad selection as well, including the genuine "Doc Johnson iVibe" available in several translucent flavors including blueberry. Really...
posted by shagoth at 5:25 PM on December 16, 2001

Life imitates art.
posted by machaus at 5:31 PM on December 16, 2001

Uhm, I liked "Ghost Soldiers." Does that mean I'll like all that stuff too?
posted by yerfatma at 7:04 PM on December 16, 2001

It's good to know I could ship one of these to someone in the US before Xmas Eve using standard shipping. Should I use gift wrap?
posted by pooldemon at 8:36 PM on December 16, 2001

NsJen, The adult toy biz is unregulated, so everything has to be labelled "For Novelty Use" to prevent the govt. from having to *cough* get its hands dirty dealing with 12" dildos, etc.
posted by shoepal at 9:11 PM on December 16, 2001

Amazon has diversified into everything from toys to sunblock to cars. You single out the adult products and wonder why, when they're a perfectly good candidate for online retail. They're embarrassing for many to buy in person (already heavily catalogue-driven). They're high-margin. And they benefit from user reviews and other product info and decision-making features of sites like Amazon's (since lots of people have no clue what to get and need help exploring products).
posted by scarabic at 10:14 PM on December 16, 2001

Life imitates art.

Wow, this funny movie is still available from Sleepness Knights Media. Amazing that Apple didn't have them yank it yet (no pun intended).
posted by Sal Amander at 12:13 AM on December 17, 2001

What's wrong with selling vibrators? People are way too sexually repressed in this country. Amazon isn't becoming morally corrupt because it's admitting that people masturbate.

http://www.onebenny.com/
posted by thebenny at 1:39 AM on December 17, 2001

What thebenny said. Did you see that one of the related products is called 'The Flabbergasmic™ Eroscillator' - wow! that's a mouthful..
posted by jiroczech at 2:06 AM on December 17, 2001

Is That a Perfectly Legal, Anatomically Correct Condom Education Model, or Are You Just Happy to See Me? Be careful how you answer, MeFiers, depending on where you live.

Instead of supporting Jeff Bezos, why not buy your erotic toys on-line from small, women-owned businesses? (No affiliate code involved!)
posted by Carol Anne at 4:30 AM on December 17, 2001

Back in the heady days of 1998, when Amazon opened the video store, they had a huge internal debate as to whether or not "adult" titles should be stocked. The final verdict was forego the easy money and remain family-friendly.

Yahoo went the other way earlier this year.

I'm surprised that they didn't tell their friends at Drugstore to edit the adult products out of the catalog they distribute through Amazon.
posted by jpbutler at 5:03 AM on December 17, 2001

But don't you see, it's all about Safe sex (there are plenty of condoms) and saving oneself for the 'right' person

Okay, it might be quite a stretch to include AstroGlide in the safe sex theme (pun unintended).
posted by DBAPaul at 6:02 AM on December 17, 2001