Good Vibrations

Great Customer Service, Easy to find (easier to park in WellsFargo and walk & no you won get towed), & they have Pasties!

Visited here on a whim with my sister (for her birthday). It’s a very classy joint and located in the busy downtown area of Lakeshore in Oakland (btw — my hometown and area I spent many hours since my mom has a beauty shop on lakeshore from 1964 to 1983). It’s crazy how the area has changed in the last 20+ years and become such the place to be.
This store is organized well and very open and spacious. Everything you can want in the way of sex toys etc is available but all displayed aesthetically and not trashy at all. The ladies that helped us were very helpful and informative. Any and all questions were answered without hesitation or making us feel embarrassed.
I would definitely go back if I found myself in need of anything they have in stock. They even had discounts we were able to use and a Unilocal coupon that we purchased right there and was able to use it immediately.
Great store.

I loved Good Vibrations in the past years and am happy to support local businesses over buying my toys online. But, I no longer shop at this location because of the poor customer service/​treatment I received. I hesitated to write this bad review, but I just found my last purchase when I was cleaning my room and still feel such frustration towards a store I used to adore. It’s clear that I’m not the only one: something needs to change.
I came in knowing exactly what I wanted. I asked for the original Luna Beads. The guy helping me asked if I knew about the mini version. I said yes, and I want the original. He said that it was «for women over 30 and/​or who have given birth.» I told him three times: I didn’t want the minis. I had done my research and knew what I wanted. I felt he was very rude (he made some offensive comments about size) and I don’t know where he got this misinformation from. It did not feel like an informed and sex-​positive space.
At the register, I paid for the beads and left. When I got home, I opened the plain white discreet box to see that he GAVE ME THE MINIS.
I went back to the shop the next day and, of course, there were no returns or exchanges. I’m stuck with something I don’t want that wasn’t cheap!
Why I don’t want the minis:
The inner weighted bead, which is responsible for making the Luna Beads work, is the same size as the weighted bead inside the mini as the original. This means there is much less empty space inside for it to rattle around, and it ends up giving your vagina less or a workout.
The weighted ball inside of the plastic bead is naked metal. In the original, that weighted bead is coated in rubber so that the sound of metal on hard plastic isn’t a thing. The noise difference between the two is huge. Other people can hear them while you are wearing them. No joke.

Went to the Lakeshore location twice in the last few weeks, and was very underwhelmed with the customer service both times. While the two employees were loudly discussing what they’d be having for lunch later, they could have asked if we needed any help. While browsing the vibrator section, I found that many of the demo vibrators hadn’t been charged, so it was not possible to get a good sense of the product. When I asked to see something in a display case, the sales person forgot the key when she came over, had to go back and get it. Just seemed like the staff didn’t care all that much, were pretty much phoning it in. I’m new to the Bay Area from NY, and am used to shopping at Babeland, which has a better selection and enthusiastic staff that are both knowledgeable and helpful. I’d like to see a better caliber of knowledge and helpfulness from the Good Vibes staff.

It’s so much nicer to shop in person where you can look touch feel than online. And while I certainly appreciate the added costs associated w/​brick and mortar, the prices here are just ridiculous. $ 32 for a bottle of Swiss Navy lube that is $ 15 on the interwebs. Buy a Unilocal voucher and spend it on something like a double vibrating cock ring. If that’s what gets you off.

I’ve been shopping goodvibes forever and have bought several items there over the last year; I usually have stamped goodvibes cards in my wallet. Inventory is limited but they carry brands I like, such as Aslan and Vixen. I never minded spending a little more for the opportunity to check out items. My partner and I tend to hit the SF stores, but this was our third visit to the Lakeshore shop.
We were cut short this visit, though, by an incredibly nasty staffer who suddenly approached (we were left alone at least 10 minutes since entering), literally snatched a product from my hands, snapped at me, and left the area with it, all because she found us attempting to open it to check the item inside.
That was our mistake; we should have asked for help. But this product had two different models on display and we wanted to make sure before dropping $ 100 that it was the right one. I get that the store wants to maintain the integrity of the products, but we really just weren’t thinking of it. If given the chance, we would have bought the item, which would have solved the problem of attempting to open it. Instead, we stood there feeling humiliated until we finally got the bright idea to just leave.
I emailed the company to complain (something I have never done before) and got a reply from Laura R., who merely defended the actions of the staffer, citing the need to keep items sealed. She ignored my subsequent message completely. That goodvibes feels it was worth marring the store’s friendly reputation and humiliating a loyal customer is incredible. We weren’t obnoxious or destructive; that staffer was far afield of professional behavior.
So … we’re breaking up with goodvibes, and from now on will only stop in to touch the displays and do recon, then go buy what we like cheaper online. I’m not into humiliation, and even if I was, I wouldn’t be down to pay for it.

The African American lady was very helpful
Help me pick save a bunch of money when I picked out my new rabbit.

What I love about this store is that it is staffed entirely by women, is essentially an adult sex shop, but feels more like an upscale gift shop when you walk inside. And any trepidation that a male customer, especially a gay male customer might have about shopping here is immediately wiped away the minute you engage one of the very helpful staff in a conversation about any of the products and discover that they know their stuff, and they aren’t embarrassed to talk about the use of this toy or that gadget. And in doing so, the entire experience takes on an air of respectability. No sleazy back door porn movie booths here. And this gay man thinks that’s just fine!

For a place that prides itself in creating a safe space for folks to talk about sex, it seems that only happens if your their target demographic other then it’s the opposite. So a few days ago I went over to a sex buddy place to have some fun. He and I are very sexually adventurous and one of the things we enjoy doing is fisting. Now normally he would have the right lube for this type of sexual activity but that night we didn’t. So he suggested going to Good Vibration, so off we go and made on time before the store closes. Now the moment we walked in I quickly notice there wasn’t a lot of options for Cis Male Same Sex folks, a few things here and there but not enough to make me feel like we as a community are welcome. We go to the lube section looking for a lube with numbness. Even thou we know what we’re doing while fisting, and take every safety percussion my buddy likes using a lube with a numbness to help him get those last inches in him. We couldn’t find it. He was a little bit shy to ask so I did. I ask one of the employee if they carry any lubricant with numbness. She seem very nice and mention that they don’t carry those proudest. That would have been fine but she continued to talk which made me feel uncomfortable, unwelcome, judged. So she started to talk about how unsafe it is using lube with numbness because if something rips or tear in the receiving partner they wouldn’t know because of the numbness. Now that information is well informed but the way she said it had a very judgmental tone to it. It was like being told that whatever y’all were thinking of doing that require lube with numbness is wrong. Clearly nether of us felt comfortable telling her the reason for us seeking that lube. Which was funny cause the whole store had S&M stuff for straight couples but I felt like our kink wasn’t ok to do. After that we got a regular lube bought it and left. The drive back my buddy and I were talking how not very welcoming Good Vibration is to cis gay men. We know the company prides itself in equality in all sexually identity. But as a sex store you should be open to ALL sexual activity. Just having a shelf with a few things for folks like myself and calling yourself inclusive doesn’t work. I would NOT recommend any of my gay friends to go to good vibration. Especially the ones who are into more wild things that would make the employees of good vibrations blush. If your a kinky cis gay man just get your tools in the Castro. Not only will you find your stuff your probably get it cheaper too.

Evet was so awesome. I noticed her outside of the store initially. She appear to be a nice pedestrian as she was frequently waving and smiling. As me and my friend walked into the store she did not hesitate to educate us on some of the devices and the added bonus of the Unilocal discount. she was patient and very knowledgeable and made me feel beyond comfortable about the questions I had. she definitely convinced me to purchase some items here. The other two African american employees were extremely knowledgeable as well. I noticed their direct eye contact with other customers. I will definitely be back if I need anything else.
Added bonus: I called local erotic stores to compare prices. This location outbeated them. Also they carried awesome accessories that other local stores did not. Such as tomboi straps and strap rings.
Make sure to check in as you will receive some free samples. Also there’s an option to pay Unilocal like $ 10 and this location will match what you pay Unilocal and subtract that from your overall Purchase. I saved like $ 15.

I came in to replace my vibrator which died sadly. At 12 years its the longest relationship I have had, don’ t judge !! It was a hot day so I was grateful for the AC and said so.
The clerk decided to give me her best dominatrix routine and barked «check in your bag «I smiled and said «hi ! I am looking for a vibrator «She said again «That’s fine but I need your bag first «death stare… okay well I am not into S&M honey I don’t need this routine.
I gave her my bag and I expected some help however she had moved on to another area to talk to a coworker. This is supposed to be fun and pleasurable… not a hassle. Its Sunday afternoon, relax ! I had no desire to browse after that as the fun was sucked out. I bought what I needed and left. Not sure why the bug up her butt however I think I will just go to the SF locations from now on where I have experienced friendlier service.

Great store! Went in to browse the lingerie section. They usually have a bigger selection but it was still enough to choose from. I went to the fitting room to try something on and omg that was the best fitting room ive ever been in! It was amazing! 2 of the 4 walls were mirrors, a nice, clean and vacuumed black and white rug wit a plum colored suede bench it was just beautiful and instantly made you feel sexy by just walking in! U want my room to look like that! All the ladies here are really nice and really know their stuff! You can walk in and ask them a million questions and they have all the answers and are never judgemental. This place is just amazing, sleek and chic!

Awesome, very knowledgable and approachable staff. Bonus points for not feeling like a dungeon. I was completely clueless when I stopped by here for some stuff and Yvette hooked me up with some product as well as an education. Super helpful and HONEST — I didn’t feel like I was being constantly pushed to the big ticket items just for the sale. Will definitely be back.
Just be careful about the traffic/​parking cops in the area! They’re apparently happy to fuck you but you won’t like it.

Amazing staff, tentative and knowledgable. Amazing Unilocal check in and money saving deals. Would come back in a heart beat!

Nice people. Nice store.
They have discounts for Unilocal check-​ins, and various promotions. There’s also a stamp card which gives you one stamp for each $ 10.00 spent. Redeemable for adult goodies. They have like a gazillion lubricants! What fun stuff for a couple of crazy kids on a good weekend, huh?
Very discreet, and the employees don’t make snarky comments that might embarrass some people.

I first came here in 2012 when visiting California for the first time. I’ve been here quite a few times since moving here in 2014 and I have not been disappointed in the slightest. The staff is very knowledgeable and extremely helpful. The only complaint I have is I wish there was a bigger in store selection. There’s quite a bit as there is, but I know I wish there was a little more in the way of bondage selection.
There’s a toy for every budget level. Ranging from 20 $ vibrators to the more elegant, classy stainless steal backdoor toys and glass wands. It’s a little like Christmas every time my significant other and I come here to add to our collection!

Amazing customer service. I’m not the type of person that frequents an adult store. In fact it was only my second time going. The staff was all female, when I went in at least, and they were super knowledgable and friendly and answer all my questions and more never pressuring me to buy anything. I got great recommendations for a gift for a white elephant 50 shades of grey theme party and it was PERFECT! Thanks again ladies! I will defiantly be going back.

Wonderful! Always a joy to come here. The employees are very knowledagle. Great products. Just an update because I always have an experience.
Do get the Unilocal deal helpful. And check in for some lubes.
On nights when I’m with a friend we just love to come and check out what they have. Downfall— rarely any new items. But still a great selection. You see a variety of people come in.

Good vvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvibrations indeed! This store makes me so happy to be a woman. Lingerie, anal beads, keigel balls (I didn’t even know these things existed!), a limited supply of bachelorette party goodies, every single type of vibrating toy you’d possibly want, restraints, some kinky books, lotions and lube, and some of the usual stuff for dudes. The vibrators are definitely the stars here, for both solo use and couples use, controlled manually or remotely or with bluetooth using your phone (technology these days?!).
The ladies there were super knowledgeable, helpful, and easy to talk to. The space was immaculate, well lit, and organized. I’ve been to several adult stores, and almost all of them were overly kitschy, creepy, catered towards straight men, or tacky… not exactly brimming with a culture of healthy sexuality, and they’ve never really made me feel safe enough to express my female sexuality in a way that I wanted to express it. But Good Vibes is a store that somehow manages to be classy, and its products are pretty neutral in terms of «gender norms»… No one needs a bright pink rabbit with glitter in it, thanks. And I don’t like having to walk down an aisle and see all those photos of naked women on packages for male sex toys with fake boobs and mouths open and tousled hair and super high heels. Ugh. These are such stereotyped versions of what people like, and they get old very quick.
Instead, you’ll find sleek, simple designs in tasteful colors, and no naked photos on packages at all. This store is for people who seriously want to explore and play and consider their options in a safe, non-​taboo space… it is very mindful of not portraying any one way of «being sexy». In fact, this store was so mindful that it stocked a book on sex positions that had multiracial models in it, and the women were looking at the camera whenever their positions allowed it, as «main characters» of the photos ;) Talk about empowerment! This is not a store for giggly 18 year olds who feel like going to a sex shop because it’s «edgy» and they just turned 18. It’s for grown ass folks who want to do grown ass things.

My first time here was with a friend. She needed to get something and asked me to go along. My first reaction was «no way». However I decided to check it out… to my surprise everyone was so friendly and non judgmental! Most importantly the store is so clean and bright… not like one of those hidden adult stores down the alley. The place felt more like a boutique, everything was so organized into sections. There’s also a big selection of condoms, toys, books, movies, outfits, and much more (definitely 18+). The employees are very helpful but at the same time gives you space to explore.
They always have great deals and sometimes if you look on Groupon you will find really good discounts. Thank you for being so professional!