Sex Toys Upsetting Some Catalog Company Customers

WESTON, Vt. — Longtime catalog retailer The Vermont Country Store has aroused the anger of some of its customers by adding sex toys and videos to its homey offerings of old-time penny candy and flannel pajamas.

The new Intimate Solutions section of the store's website and catalog, which offers vibrators, kegel exercisers and a set of instructional sex videos for viewers over 40, has led to angry letters and cancellation requests.

Company proprietor Lyman Orton, 67, said that adding the new items to the catalog starting last summer was his idea.

"We never got any letters saying we want this. This was a sense, because our customers are a certain age and sex is below the surface in the world we deal in," Orton said. "I said 'Look, let's see if our customers respond to this.'"

Although customers have responded with purchases — the company said some of the items were big sellers, but wouldn't give details — other customers were outraged.

"The intimate massagers are certainly not what will uplift the youth of America but instead will lead them to be perverted pleasure seekers," one letter said. "Please rethink what you are doing."

"I am one of the women who respects her God-given human femininity," another wrote, in longhand. "These items are offensive to me."

Orton and his three sons, who are partners in the business, are considering whether the Intimate Solutions products are helping or hurting the brand.

"We're still wrestling with it," Eliot Orton, 36, said.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Xgen's Dr. Mindy DeSeta Spotlighted on CBS News

CBS News has spotlighted Xgen Products resident sex therapist Dr. Mindy DeSeta on its Miami and West Palm Beach affiliate stations.

FSC Unpacks SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling in Webinar

The Free Speech Coalition conducted a public webinar Tuesday to help adult industry stakeholders understand the Supreme Court’s recent decision in FSC v. Paxton, and its potential implications.

Electric Novelties Expands 'Gläs' Collection

Electric Novelties has introduced a variety of new items from its Gläs collection.

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Sex Work CEO Debuts Upgraded 'GPTease' AI Assistant

Sex Work CEO has introduced the new Canvas in-chat editing feature to its AI-powered, NSFW text generator, GPTease.

Le Wand's 'Petite' Highlighted in NY Magazine Article

Le Wand’s Petite massage wand has been recognized in NY Magazine's The Strategist round-up of top-rated massagers.

Show More