katygriff has been thanked 3 times for this contribution
"Now I know what you all are thinking and that it that what can you buy people from Ann Summers and I will tell you that there are some great things to be had. I knew what I wanted to buy when I went there which is always easy but trust me when you get into one of the shops, you cannot help but have a little wonder around. I am going to give you a little warning before you continues, this review does contain rude things so please do not read on if you get offended by things of a sexual nature.
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What is Ann Summers?
Ann Summers is a shop which sells gorgeous lingerie and then sex related things. I should warn you that if you do not like sexy and rude things then you will probable not like this shop or my review so just skip to the verdict at the end.
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Where can you find one?
Well Ann Summers shops are popping up everywhere now but if you go to www.annsummers.co.uk then you will find a store locator so you can find your nearest store to visit.
The shops are very distinctive with the huge Ann Summers name branded across the top of every shop I have seen. The writing is usually red and in a very simple font and the symbol by the writing is an apple with a bite taken out of it. Every store you look into actually looks quite dark but trust me it is good inside.
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The Shops:
Now obviously they are going to vary depending on where you are but I have three near to me and all three of them as I said earlier are quite dark inside. I am not sure why they do this but they all seem to be the same. The shop windows are very clean and well presented usually with a special offer on show if there is one and some of the latest lingerie collections on the dummies.
As you walk in I think you will notice how small the shops do look. In my opinion this is because they tend to stock the shelves really well and get as many products as they can out onto the shop floor which is good because you can usually find what you want.
The stores are all set out the same as far as I know. You will find that lingerie is at the front of the shop and set around the walls on shelving. In the middle of the shop there are usually stands which contain toys and games and just basically little bits and bobs such as Christmas gifts for Christmas. The back of the store is where you will find the X rated stuff which is basically your vibrators, sex videos and bondage gear. All shops should have a changing room too so you can try on before you buy.
The shops always look neat but they are quite hard to get a wheelchair or pushchair around to be honest. I used to take my friend in a wheelchair and we found it difficult if people were clogging up the aisles as they would then have to move to let us through. I think they are within the minimum standard for space between aisles but still it is tough in all the stores I have been into.
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The Products:
Now I know you have all been waiting for this part of my review (well the guys anyway). Now skip if you do not like rude things.
I will start with the lingerie. Now the lingerie is fantastic and they generally do sizes from a 30A to a 38F in bras and sizes 8 – 20 in briefs and thongs. The underwear is quite expensive usually with a bra costing £25 and thongs costing £12 but they are fantastic quality. The range they have at the moment is very sexy and when you try the underwear on you feel great and girls I really believe your partners will appreciate any set from this shop. I would recommend at the moment a range called Madame Fifi which is gorgeous. Yes you will find that every range has a name so if you know what you want you can just ask an assistant and she will find you the sets.
Now we move onto the dressing up section which is absolutely great. All girls should try on one of these outfits which consist of a nurse, air hostess and masseuse. Also for Christmas they have a sexy Santa outfit. I know that you all are thinking no way but dressing up can do wonders for your self esteem and your sex life. The outfits are very sexual with a lot of leg and cleavage on display and cost around £35. I can guarantee that if you try one on girls you will love it on yourself and be so tempted to buy one and yes they are very comfortable.
The bondage section is one I never visit because to be honest it scares me a little bit but they do have one so you can buy handcuffs, leather whips, tape and outfits which leave almost nothing to the imagination. They have a good range though if you are into that type of thing.
The naughtiest section I am sure in many peoples books is the sex toys section which contains your vibrators basically and they do have a huge range. If you are new to sex toys then they do what is called a buzz starter kit which is £20 to ease you into it (no pun intended). For the people who just want to go for it however they do the infamous rampant rabbit which you can get many types including three way, deluxe and platinum. There are toys there not just for the girls so guys you do not get left out but some of them do look quite scary though. do not be afraid to ask the staff about them although it is an embarrassing subject for most people and do not be embarrassed if you want one, just go for it. It might be the best purchase you make all year.
The next section is fun stuff which includes things that basically will make you laugh. The funniest thing I have seen are edible briefs for men and women which look very tasty but I always think is wrong to think so. You can also buy willy ice cube trays, straws and even toothbrushes. The best thing from this section though has to be the hung like a stallion pouch which neighs when you press it. You will also find oils and lotions around which include edible body paints of which the best is champagne strawberry which always put on ice-cream. Also you can get massage oil and the ravish perfume which smells lovely.
There is a book and DVD section which are worth a look. The DVDs are very raunchy and I cannot say that I have ever watched one but I know people who have and they are basically porn films. I have however bought some of the books and they are very good reads but are quite expensive at around £8 each. They also of course do the Karma Sutra for those who are thinking it.
The final section is for hen nights as they do a great range of fun costumes and accessories and games you can get up to. You can buy kits for about £10 which contain L plates and tiaras and little games you can play on the night. There of course the rude willy boppers which flash so everybody can see what you are wearing. The best thing to buy however is called a bride to be t-shirt which is around £12-15 and has a small list of challenges on the front.
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Other things:
The staff are great in all of these stores. They are actually used to people being embarrassed to go into the stores so they will often make themselves very approachable and cheery to make people feel at ease. In fact you will often see them dressed up in some of the dressing up clothes so you can see what they look like on.
Sale times are good in this shop as they do tend to slash the prices really well. I bought a great blue corset last year for £10 reduced from £35 and the bras are usually half price at about £12 – 15 which I know is normal price for most shops but the quality is superb.
Sizes in these stores are a bit strange. I make sure I try things on and they generally get them right so a size ten is actually a ten. The one product that I find they get wrong is the bras as they my size always seems a bit too big on me so I always suggest going and trying them on first.
Refunds in this store are a bit annoying as they tend to not give you your money back but instead offer alternative products. Whenever I have to return something I make sure that I have the receipt otherwise that opens up a right kettle of problems and I usually get them to give me vouchers back.
You can buy vouchers from the store in denominations of five, ten and twenty which are valid for a year when you buy them so an idea for presents there. The last thing in this section I will mention is that you can get catalogues from the stores so you can browse at home deciding what you would like and then go and buy.
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Verdict:
When I was younger I always used to be told about Ann Summers and how rude they were and because there were not that many shops around I didn't tend to bother with them. However when I was at university and I heard about the infamous Ann Summers parties I became more curious and then earlier this year I became a party planner for them and had a laugh. Since then I have been obsessed with their products and pop into their shops whenever I have a chance to check out any new products.
I think the problem with most people is that they won't step into an Ann Summers store because frankly they are a bit embarrassed. Hey even I was embarrassed to step into one at first, mainly because they always seemed a bit empty. Now though you will find most people do have a little look and although they are famed for their vibrators and crotchless knickers I think people do not realise that they sell gorgeous feminine lingerie that is designed to make the wearer feel sexy and in my opinion there is nothing wrong with that.
Most products in the shop I find are quite expensive especially the bras and I would only consider buying from there if it was a treat for me. I do love what they sell and have bought quite a lot of things from there this year but I am not telling you what.
Now that Ann Summers are getting increasingly popular I think everybody should have a look and I even mean you guys because there are plenty of things to treat your partner to that I am sure you will enjoy too.
In conclusion I love Ann Summers shops because they are there to make women feel sexy and be adventurous a little. The staff are always friendly and although you may feel a bit embarrassed about going in there please don't as the products are reliable and good quality and I am sure you will want to treat yourself to something.
I am giving the shops four stars because they sell some fantastic stuff but are a bit too overpriced for me to buy everything I want from there.
