You're greeted by a sign saying "serious shoppers only"... Well they certainly make sure that's the case when they leave you in the doorway waiting for the door to be opened. We rang the bell. We waited patiently for what seemed like over 5 mins. We could see the shop attendant in the shop thought the door (as the public walked by and gave us judgemental looks as we waited outside). We rang again and after another wait we were finally let in. Not a great start! certainly didn't put us in the right frame of mind to hand over the cash we were looking to spend.
What we found on entry was an average selection of leather goods (almost entirely mister b brand), masquerade masks, and an almost disproportionate array of anal toys and male chastity devices.
I appreciate this is a mister B's official stockist, so in the essence of fairness it's worth mentioning this wasn't the brand of interest for myself and Mrs UV. An RRP may be dictated to by the wholesaler, but we wouldn't be able to say for sure.
The items of interest like the we-vibes, asylum patient straitjacket were all branded off the shelf items that we had previously seen in other locations for less.
We had intended to look for fetish equipment, sex toys, and clothing. We're very sadly disappointed with the choice on offer. The shop is only small and commercially the shop must stock what sells in their area, we get that. But this review goes as a warning to hetrosexual and bi-fem couples... You'll likely be disappointed with the selection offered. Regardless of your orientation if you're looking for a good choice of floggers, canes, paddles you'll be disappointed too. To clarify: when I say good choice of floggers I mean more than just three different thin stingy/sharp feeling floggers. There wasn't a single heavy suede leather flogger, and no paddles at all that we could see.
This shop is definitely more for the Dom/Domme exclusively looking for toys, clothes and equipment for male submissives. Even then I'd question it's choice of products.
We had a look around the store and were left alone to browse which was better than having a hard sell I'll admit. We narrowed down the items we were considering investing in, being respectful not to handle them, when Mrs UV expressed that she may like one of the masquerade masks. Gently picking the one we were going to purchase up to inspect it closer the shop attendant, who the entire time had been most disinterested, stuck his head round the corner and said "dont touch! they're very delicate".
I would suggest that improving the customer service from this attendant and a response of "may I help you?" rather than 'the face' and attitude throughout the shopping experience may have turned that into a sale.
We put our money away and decided to spend it elsewhere.
To give you an idea we've regularly been to London Alternative Market, the Birmingham Bizarre Bazaar, as well as other fetish shops around mainland Europe (predominantly in Berlin and Amsterdam) all of which have been excellent.
I've just read through the other reviews and although I can appreciate too much fun and laughter (heaven forbid sex should be fun!) should be kept to a minimum. I can honestly say this was the most disappointing fetish shop with the poorest customer service I have ever had in nearly 10 years on the kink scene.
If you're a serious, experienced, D/s couple avoid. read more
