Buying a sex doll? Read this first - A Sex Doll Buyers Guide For Beginners
The purpose of this guide is to ensure newcomers and first-time buyers who are less familiar with the sex doll market do not get scammed or tricked into buying something they will regret.
What is a sex doll?
Chances are, you already know what a sex doll is, but just in case... A sex doll is a life-size silicone or TPE doll that you can have sex with. A super-duper human sex toy, if you like.
Also referred to as Love dolls, real dolls, silicone sex dolls, silicone lovers, companions, real-life sex dolls and lots of other fancy names...
How do I avoid scammers?
Let's jump right into it. The first rule of buying sex dolls:
If you want an authentic love doll, it might be best to avoid sites like eBay, Amazon or Ali-Express, they are often lots of un-verified sellers selling fake/ replica sex doll on these sites.
Why?
Unfortunately, many sex dolls you see on eBay and Aliexpress, in particular, are FAKE*. We have notified eBay of this countless times, but unfortunately, they don't seem to be interested or recognise that counterfeit sex dolls even exist!
*Update - D4E now sell legitimate sex dolls on Aliexpress.
So what is a fake sex doll?
A fake sex doll is counterfeit or replica sex doll made with stolen designs in an unauthorised and dodgy factory with zero credentials/safety inspections/quality control. The factories buy a genuine doll from a legitimate manufacturer and replicate it in their own factory, they steal the original manufacturer's authentic photos and use them as bait to catch customers. Just like you see with designer handbags that fall apart after one month that just don't look right, this is the same thing, but with sex dolls. It's a complete fraud. The doll you receive will look similar to the photos, but will be significantly poorer quality, with zero guarantees on production, zero safety checks and will not comply with worldwide quality control legislation to ensure your safety, it's also a stolen design and criminal offence, and there's no guarantee your doll won't arrive damaged or just fall apart in a few weeks. If you do buy a cheap fake from eBay, that's exactly what you will get, a cheap fake doll. We have heard horror stories of people receiving blow-up dolls coated in silicone or dolls with no actual vagina or anus - now where's the fun in that? Be careful out there people, I know everyone likes a bargain and it's very tempting to seek out the cheapest possible doll you can find, but a little patience, a little research and a little knowledge will go a long way in making sure you don't get scammed.
How can we be certain that they are selling fakes?
- They are not authorised or registered doll vendors and offer zero money-back guarantees. The easiest way to check this is to contact the manufacturer yourself and ask if the site you are purchasing from is a registered vendor. If they're not, then they're fake.
- They're selling their dolls as unbranded, or at least not advertising the brand, yet they are using official WM-Dolls professional photos. WM-Dolls are the leading sex doll manufacturer in the world, the Nike of sex dolls if you will... It's like using Nike's professional photos to sell Fake Nike Air Max trainers and then claiming that you design the trainers yourself and that you make them yourself in your own workshop, it's ridiculous.
- Scammers sell their dolls at a fraction of the price of authentic dolls, in fact, they are selling them for cheaper than the WHOLESALE price of authentic WM-Dolls. Sounds too good to be true right? Because it is. Although lately, we've seen scammers charging full price for their dolls, so this isn't a reliable measure of authenticity on its own.
So where can I buy a sex doll from then?
When looking for a reliable vendor, the most important thing to ensure is that they are not selling fake sex dolls (Obviously). There are many online stores that offer silicone sex dolls, ranging from low-end basic dolls to high-end hand-finished masterpieces.
Nearly ALL verified vendors can be found on 'The Doll Forum', please be sure to visit their site for any and all information about sex dolls that you'll ever need:
An authentic vendor will always offer you a money-back guarantee. They will provide detailed information on the manufacturer and provide detailed photos of the exact sex doll you receive, they will be able to offer customisation and they will have a registered address in the country that they operate from. They will advertise their quality control processes and specialise in the sale of sex dolls only. They will be able to answer any questions you have and offer sound advice before you make any purchase so you can be certain you are making the right choice.
We are a registered and authorised sex doll vendor, located in the UK. Please feel free to contact us directly to check our credentials using the contact form here. We are happy to answer any questions and are always here to give advice. [email protected]
You don't even need to buy from us, you can just come to us for free advice if you like. We are dedicated to making sure people get an authentic doll, period.
So...Thinking of buying a sex doll? Not sure?
Are you a bit "on the fence" about buying a sex doll? Well, you might like to know that sex dolls actually hold their value very well and have a high resale value. If you change your mind later on, many vendors actually offer a ‘buy-back’ service on their dolls (if you inquire). You can also resell them on The Doll Forum.
Is it strange to want a sex doll? Will people judge me?
No, the sex doll industry is growing rapidly- we believe it will be considered very normal to have a sex doll in the future. We see first hand the types of people that are interested in sex dolls, and I can tell you now, you probably already know someone who has one…If you're worried about what people think, just join the doll forum and you'll be instantly amongst like-minded friends.
Are sex dolls only for men? Do women like sex dolls?
No, sex dolls are for anyone who wants one. The majority of sales are currently to males, but approximately 10% of all sales are male dolls sold to female buyers. Many couples also buy sex dolls to add a little fun into their sex life.
What are the top 5 things I should consider before buying my first sex doll?
The top 5 things to consider when buying a sex doll (that are often overlooked):
- Quality and Price
- Authenticity
- Storage & Weight
- Manufacturer & Vendors
- Customisations.
1. Quality & price:
We would recommend buying a mid to high range doll.
This will ensure an optimum price/ quality ratio for first-time buyers and ensure an excellent experience. What is a mid to high range doll? A mid to high range doll is a doll built by a reputable and experienced manufacturer using high-quality materials, excellent product designs, sold by a supplier that offers a money-back guarantee and has a variety of custom doll options available. Prices generally range from £1,500 - £2,500 for a mid to high-end doll in the UK and $2000+ in the USA.
Should I buy a cheap sex doll?
Cheap sex dolls are just that, cheap. We would not recommend buying a cheap sex doll for the following reasons;
- No money-back guarantee
- Often Fakes or imitation products
- Materials used are generally inferior and can be toxic.
- Short "life" expectancy of the product (ie material can split)
- Limited quality control or attention to detail
- Dolls are often damaged in transit
- Poor design and workmanship
- No CE or health & safety standards certificate
- Inexperienced and/or unknown manufacturers
- Expensive shipping
- Unexpected customs costs and taxes
- You may not receive the product at all.
If you are taking the leap into the sex doll world, get the real thing. We understand that it can be a little expensive, but there are ways of financing them without breaking the bank. We offer interest-free CREDIT on our site so you can split payments over a time period that suits you best, check it out here.
With that in mind, There is no need to go out and spend £10,000 on a high-end super-duper high-spec doll (You wouldn't buy a Ferrari as your first car)...Likewise, if you buy cheap, you buy twice. A cheap doll like a cheap car needs fixing or scrapping way sooner than you might think.
The smart move is to get a mid to high range doll. You will get exceptional quality, excellent design features and an ultra-realistic sex doll, plus- it's a solid investment, you really can't go wrong.
2. Authenticity:
Like everything in the world, avoid fakes and scammers. It doesn't need too much explanation, but there are some people out there selling fake dolls purely for financial gain. At Silicone Lovers, we are building a reputable worldwide brand that puts customer service and user experience as our number one priority.
If you want to know more about us, just click the link here.
3. Storage and weight:
People often skip these important factors... But you might get a surprise when you handle your doll for the first time...
Why is this important?
Sex Dolls are big, they can be heavy, and they need to be stored properly.
Most dolls can be moved by yourself, but always check the weight before you buy to avoid any surprises, some dolls weigh over 50KG (that's a lot), if you are concerned, go for a lighter model, there are many available. Any good supplier will be able to advise on the weight of the doll you are interested in buying.
Think of your new doll as a long-term investment that needs to be stored and looked after properly to ensure a long and prosperous life... Sex dolls can be stored in their original packaging box, or a flight case, or can be hung in a wardrobe with a special hanging attachment available at most suppliers. For more info on storage, check out our maintenance guide here.
4. Manufacturers & Suppliers:
Manufacturers are not to be confused with suppliers (Also know as Vendors). Manufacturers are the companies that design, fabricate and make sex dolls, they are the "creators" of these fine products, from concept to completion, they are the gods of sex dolls if you like...
Suppliers are the online shops that have permission and authority from the manufactures to supply sex dolls to customers.
There are good ones and bad ones of both manufacturers and suppliers.
What makes a good manufacturer? A good manufacturer is a manufacturer that specialises in the production of excellently designed, tried and tested, high-quality sex dolls and nothing else. They offer hundreds of moulded designs and customisation options for all types of sex dolls. A good manufacturer has extensive experience in the production of sex dolls and a long history in the industry, they meet worldwide safety standards and have excellent communication departments who have with a worldwide communication reach, they have extensive quality control measures and ensure a high-quality product line.
A bad manufacturer is inexperienced and often purchases a single doll from a good manufacturer with the intention to replicate it without any of the extensive knowledge or know-how that goes into the fabrication of these wonderful sex dolls (avoid at all times). Expect poor quality materials, sloppy workmanship, poor communication, little knowledge of Sex Dolls etc.
A 'good supplier' has a working relationship with 'good manufacturers', offers a money-back guarantee on all purchases and has extensive knowledge of the industry. A good supplier is authorised to sell high-quality sex dolls and is registered with HMRC to import products globally (If operating from the UK). A good supplier will always prioritise customer satisfaction and quality products over a "quick buck".
A 'bad supplier' works with and enables the 'bad manufacturers', together they are basically scammers selling fakes and poor quality rubbish for a high price tag. They can be easily spotted on sites like eBay or gumtree, some even have proper websites and are selling fake dolls for cheaper than the original manufacturer. Don't fall for it- do the research.
We consider ourselves 'good vendors'. We are in this game for the long run, and you don't get far in this business by offering poor service and poor quality products. We don't like receiving poor customer service, so we certainly don't give it out.
We have a specific protocol that we follow when choosing our preferred manufacturers to ensure we only provide the very best sex dolls available today.
What is the difference between TPE dolls and Silicone dolls?
TPE vs SILICONE: The big debate!
TPE:
- Softer to touch.
- More flexible. Meaning the dolls are more flexible.
- Good conductor of heat, but sensitive to excessive heat.
- Cheaper.
- Hypoallergenic material. (Won't cause allergic reactions).
- Vulnerable to stains.
- Sticky to touch without talcum powder.
- Porous material. Moisture left inside openings can result in mould growing if not kept maintained properly.
- Harder to sterilise due to pours nature.
SILICONE:
- More detailed and realistic features.
- Can retain heat, less sensitive to excessive heat.
- Easy to clean
- Easy to sterilise
- Resistant to stains
- Low maintenance
- Hypoallergenic.
- More expensive.
- Sticky to touch without talcum powder.
- Not as soft to touch
- Less realistic “wobble”
We personally prefer TPE, but it’s a personal decision in the end…
What is the difference between a real doll, a love doll and a silicone sex doll?
Nothing, just different names for the same thing. They are all sex dolls. Some are made from a different material but they all serve the same purpose.
Is a sex doll a toy?
Yes. An Adult toy.
What’s the real story?
Some of the first sex dolls were invented by Dutch sailors in the seventeenth century who would be isolated at sea during long voyages. These masturbatory dolls referred to by the French as ‘dame de voyage’ and by the Spanish as ‘dama de Viaje’, were made of sewn cloth or old clothes and were a direct predecessor to today's sex dolls. The Dutch sold some of these dolls to Japanese people during the Rangaku period, and the term "Dutch wives" is still sometimes used in Japan to refer to sex dolls.
Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_doll
What happens if I damage my doll?
Sex dolls can get damaged, it happens. But do not fear, most damage is reparable. Many suppliers offer a repair service directly with them, or they will sell a repair kit if you are up for the challenge yourself. It’s not too complicated to fix a tear in the silicone or TPE, but it does need to be done correctly. There are videos on youtube but best to contact your vendor direct as dolls can vary and you need to know what you're doing.
How do I clean a sex doll?
Cleaning a sex doll is a bit like cleaning yourself, you can bathe a sex doll in the bath, have a shower, or pat down with a clean cloth with soapy warm water. For in-depth information on cleaning a doll, check out our cleaning page here.
Looking for a reliable sex doll supplier with a money-back guarantee on all purchases?
Look no further…
We offer the best quality and best value dolls on the market. We are so confident, we offer a money-back guarantee on every dol purchase made at Silicone Lovers.
Check out our full collection of sex dolls here.