Thank you for sharing w/ us Steph.
Edited by - -lunacy- on Jan 1 2001
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| Janitor Retired Porno movies, sexy videos, xxx. Adult DVD Talk at your service. 6409 Posts 11/99 |  Posted - Dec 31 2000 : 5:53PMI received this email today - and the person who sent it said I could post it. -------------------------- Dear Adultdvdtalk, As an active adult product consumer I rely heavily on your sight for consumer guidance. I wanted to warn all of you about a site I linked to after reading about it on AdultDVD, www.fleshlight.com. I visited the sight and placed an order for their IntiMate figure priced at $995.00 as an X-Mas gift. I was contacted by owner Steve A. Shubin telling me that he could not honor the price featured on-line because it was, in his words, incorrect. He said he would offer the item to me for $1445.00 as the item was being legitimately offered at www.sexfantasyzone.com for $1895.00. Let me remark that no where on the fleshlight.com site is there any notice of price problems or policies. He assured me the www.fleshlight.com site was being "promptly removed." That was two weeks ago and to this day the fleshlight site and the $995.00 remains intact and advertised. I contacted Mr. Shubin again today and he responded telling me he is having problems removing the site. Something peculiar is going on here and since the Fleshlight toy is being featured on your sex toy page I thought you should know about it. I feel very strongly that Mr. Shubin should have honored the $995.00 price until it was removed. That he has cried foul and not chosen to remove the site is reprehensible and unfair to the consumer who places an order in good faith. I thank you for your time and would certainly appreciate any influence you may have to affect this situation even if that means just pressuring Mr. Shubin enough to remove the site for the protection of other consumers. [Link] |
| -lunacy- Senior Member 1081 Posts 4/00 | Posted - Jan 1 2001 : 6:19PM Thank you for sharing w/ us Steph. Edited by - -lunacy- on Jan 1 2001 [Link] |
| dumblonde Senior Member 2352 Posts 7/00 | Posted - Jan 1 2001 : 6:42PM As I have previously emailed Mr. Shubin about the fleshlight, I did so again in regards to this matter. I tried their old site today, and although the front page comes up, I don't think the site is operational anymore. I agree that when the price went up, it should have been changed, this seems a very simple thing to do. My guess is that their old site just was not being used, but it should have come down, nonetheless, thereby having fewer disappointed customers. I'm not sure what we can do about your particular situation, other than ask for clarification, as we are in no way affiliated with fleshlight. Legally, I'm not sure either, although I believe that if it was an oversight or an honest mistake, that they cannot be held to that lower price. So, we'll wait to hear from Mr. Shubin, & I'll keep you posted. Thank you..........DB [Link] |
| jas Member 14 Posts 1/01 | Posted - Jan 1 2001 : 8:39PM As the person who wrote the original e-mail to Steph I wanted to briefly respond to your message. First, I would like to thank you for addressing the issue. I appreciate any and all positive efforts.The Fleshlight.com is still active and operating as of 11:30pm on 01/01/01. Orders can still be placed for the IntiMate at $995.00, though obviously not honored. I have, in fact, placed one almost daily since this issue presented itself to see what would happen. Nothing has happened. How can this be an oversight or honest mistake, DB, if Mr. Shubin told me of the problem over two weeks ago and has done nothing to remedy the situation? At the very least a message could and should have been posted to warn consumers that there is an on going problem. Am I expecting too much? Mr. Shubin cries foul, saying that he cannot sell the item at the listed $995.00 price because it costs him that much to produce. If that is the case then change the advertisement. It is his company he must take full responsibility. He is laying the error at the feet of those he claims produce the site. I find it difficult to believe that the owner and producer cannot, in two weeks, rectify a serious problem. If Mr. Shubin had done as he promised two weeks ago and "promptly removed the site" (his words, not mine) I would have been happy to place the order at his offered price of $1445.00 thinking there was an honest error and being appreciative for his negotiation. Once again, thanks for your interest. I am grateful to have a forum to voice my concern. Happy New Year everybody! [Link] |
| dumblonde Senior Member 2352 Posts 7/00 | Posted - Jan 1 2001 : 9:31PM because on the new site, you have to be put on a waiting list even at full price. And I can't imagine what kind of problem would prevent him from taking down the site, or at the least a price change. Hmm... Well, he's been prompt with replies recently, so can't wait to hear this one! Stay tuned, jas........DB [Link] |
| -lunacy- Senior Member 1081 Posts 4/00 | Posted - Jan 2 2001 : 6:52AM I do believe that is considered false advertising, and is in fact illegal. Perhaps you should contact legal counsel, and make Mr.Shubin aware that you are doing so. I venture to guess that would speed his responses, and inspire him to be of more assistance.
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| jas Member 14 Posts 1/01 | Posted - Jan 2 2001 : 7:12AM Hello and Happy New Year! Thank you for your support and advice. I really appreciate it. I actually have already done what you suggested but Mr. Shubin appears unshakable at this point. Let me relay for you exactly what his latest message of 12/31 said: Hello again. I have had tremendous difficulty Well, lunacy, what are your thoughts? Mr. Shubin says the product can only be sold at an alternate site and yet the Fleshlight.com site allows you to place the order and says nothing about problems or the validity of such an order. I am pretty much stunned that Mr. Shubin thinks he is being reasonable and practicing good business. What he calls "generous" I call unethical and sneeky.. Note, please, that this promise to remove the site is not the first but the fourth since my dealings began with him. What else can I say? [Link] |
| Saki At-Large 2087 Posts 11/99 | Posted - Jan 2 2001 : 1:27PM This happens all the time in the real world: Someone spots an amazing deal on MegaStore.com's web site, places an order, and then gets an e-mail saying that the order is not accepted because the pricing was incorrect. The options the person is give are: A.) pay the correct (higher) price, or B.) the order is cancelled. Again, not illegal since the transaction has not been completed (the merchant hasn't taken your money). With that said, it should speak volumes about the company when they raise the price almost 100% and then "generously" reduce it to only a 50% increase. I can understand increased production costs, but that's ridiculous, especially when their website is still taking orders for the lower price. If I were Steve Shubin, it would be to my advantage to get fleshlight.com site out of operation ASAP to avoid any confusion. It doesn't make much sense for him to try to keep the old site up longer than necessary. No one I know is going to say "yeah, I'll fork over another $500!" And rather than interviewing other hosting companies, he should probably hire someone who has a clue about such matters (it's not too difficult to park the fleshlight.com domain name to another site). Sorry to hear about your experience, but my advice would be not to pursue anything further with this company. It doesn't sound like his actions were out-and-out illegal, nor are you going to get the item you wanted for $995. And, by the sounds of it, it sounds to me like you would be better off without it (gee, what if the item was damaged or lost? Would you want to deal with this company to get that resolved based on this little experience?) Thanks for the warning! Saki [Link] |
| dumblonde Senior Member 2352 Posts 7/00 | Posted - Jan 2 2001 : 2:54PM Date: Mon, 01 Jan 2001 11:33:33 -0600 Hello Dumb Blonde, Your writer and I have e-mailed each other several times. I have had extreme difficulty in having my web site host make changes on my fleshlight site. Just yesterday I was able to get through to and fire this host company. My site will be corrected by weeks end. I asked your writer to compare our price and far superior product to the www.realdoll.com product that is 3 times the price and does not sexually work. Unlike other sites I closely communicate with people and I have spent 2 million dollars to ensure that the needs of people in the area of sexual freedom are met as best as possible. My offer to your writer to reduce the price by $500.00 was in my view, very kind. I have sold over 100,000 "Fleshlights" and "Sex in a can" products and never had customer problems. Your writer knew about my www.sexfantasyzone site at the time of the purchase and it appears that I have been made to sound like some evil money grubbing person. I have gone to extreme financial risk to bring a product to market that consumers could rely on and not get ripped off by the garbage toy making companies that we all have been exposed to. I am sincerely sorry for any inconvenience this site problem has brought to any of your readers. I will not refer to any one by name or even identify the web host company that I fired. I feel that sort personal attack could damage someone or their company without having enough facts to cause such injury. I work frequently with customers in easing there embarrassments etc. concerning their personal needs and interests. I will continue to do this and offer superior products regardless of personal attacks. If it sounds like I'm angry, I'm not not, I'm disappointed that after 6 years and 2 million dollars devoted to customer needs, that someone is attempting to use your medium to stong arm a better price for them selves and they are willing to trample my reputation to achieve this. I guess giving this writer a free "Stud " would make him happy. But I am an honest man with strong principals and have made a fair offer and stand by this. Your service to your readers is great and a tremendous value to them, Keep up the good work. Thanks for your inquiry, Sincerely, Steve [Link] |
| spesedy Member Germany 238 Posts 8/00 | Posted - Jan 2 2001 : 3:30PM Couldn't stop laughing after reading that "Hello Dumb Blonde" What must this guy have thought ? btw: DB - I find it great you're mailing and phoning companies in order to help disappointed customers. Well... I remember you talking about challenges and stuff, so I guess you like it, too [Link] |
| dumblonde Senior Member 2352 Posts 7/00 | Posted - Jan 2 2001 : 4:08PM I meant that for fleshlite, not for you, jas, because the full price is clearly stated on the new site. And, as this old site is coming down soon, it's not really a bait & switch matter, although it is confusing. I am definitely pro-consumer in these matters, I just want to be very careful not damage anyone's reputation without knowing all the facts first. Thanks for your input, jas [Link] |
| dumblonde Senior Member 2352 Posts 7/00 | Posted - Jan 2 2001 : 4:26PM I sometimes think people feel bad about calling me that - but I chose it, in honor of all the blonde jokes I've heard all my life. And, like I told him, I review dildos & sextoys for this site! I think it's funny too, and often wonder what people are really thinking. BTW, I finally had to snail mail Doc Johnson's, and received a reply today. They won't give me information by email or letter, but want me to call an 800 number and talk to Ken Dorfman directly - hmmm..probably will want to put me thru some kind of security clearance! Will keep you posted...DB [Link] |
| spesedy Member Germany 238 Posts 8/00 | Posted - Jan 2 2001 : 4:50PM I just wonder what they are gaining when talking to you personally. I guess you could answer all their questions by mail and you could also lie on the phone. [Link] |
| dumblonde Senior Member 2352 Posts 7/00 | Posted - Jan 2 2001 : 6:52PM Maybe he just wants to tell me to get lost & don't bother them again! [Link] |
| jasman New Member 1 Posts 1/01 | Posted - Jan 2 2001 : 7:00PM I have tried to give Mr. Shubin the benefit of the doubt from the very beginning. He has always been kind and courteous. I am not challenging him personally as he seems to believe. I am challenging his actions a business man. I bear him no ill will and wish him well in his endevours. I continue to question his unwillingness to take responsibility for this error, however. It's everyone elses fault and apparently now it's mine too. I find it interesting that now that this issue has posted he suddenly got through to the host. Let me make it clear that I was not aware of any other site, as Mr. Shubin suggests, at the time I placed my first order. This was a Christmas gift impulse buy in the middle of the night intended to make a friend happy. It was only with Mr. Shubin's first e-mail to me notifying me of the problem that the discrepancy came to light. I never insisted that he honor the $995.00 price as I was persuaded ,initially, by his argument, which is identical to the one he has posted here through db. It seemed rational to me and his remedy, the IMMEDIATE removal of the Fleshlight.com site, was sufficient to qwell my frustrations. I was prepared to pay the extra $500.00 to resolve the situation. I did not go looking for aggravation. God knows it will find you though. I wish everybody well in the New Year...including Mr. Shubin. [Link] |
| jas Member 14 Posts 1/01 | Posted - Jan 2 2001 : 8:23PM [Link] |
| -lunacy- Senior Member 1081 Posts 4/00 | Posted - Jan 2 2001 : 9:30PM Thank-you Steph for the FYI, I think it's a good warning for all of us prospective toy buyers. Welcome to ADVDT Jas/Jasman, I hope to see your posts elsewhere on the boards as well. [Link] |
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