Company reviews

These reviews are the results of  2009-2010 violet wand surveys.  Survey information for this release have been collected from subscriber and reader comments, reviews and survey submissions from the period 1/1/2009 through 12/31/2010, a two-year period.  In addition to voluntary submssions, 1,000 random subscribers were polled directly.  To participate in the next consumer survey, please see this page.

This survey compilation refers only to violet wand products, not other items the company may sell. 

***** Indicates the highest consumer rating to * the lowest rating.

NOTE:  FOR MORE DETAILED INFORMATION, CLICK ON THE COMPANY NAME

**Manufacturers:**

Both of the violet wand manufacturers have been around since about 1997 and are members of the fet community.  They supply to various retailers, large online retailers, fetish event vendors, etc.  They also sell direct. OEM warranties.

Click on the name for in-depth ratings information, company information and history, and survey results.

* Rupert Huse and Son -   *Customer pick: best reputation. 

The company's emphasis is on wholesale, and supplies to the larger retailers and more brick and mortar retailers.*  Rupert Huse and Son has a broad fetish product line that includes bondage furniture and other bdsm toys, with violet wands as a small part of their operation.  Their violet wand product line has not changed in 10 years, nor has it had to. While they manufacture violet wands and electrodes, they also manufacture many other products, so their focus is not 100% on violet wands.  But as a long-lived manufacturer, this company's product line and business is reliable, stable, and unchanging. Rupert Huse wholesales to retailers as well as sells direct.  They were the first to provide neon reactive violet wand electrodes.  They have a solid reputation but do not provide repairs or servicing. OEM warranties are 90 day guarantee on the generators.  Their website at www.violetwand.org has a list of retailers where you can purchase their products. Manufacturer, retail, wholesale.  Fast shipping with discrete packaging.  ALL USA manufacture.

-Click here to see more detailed information for Rupert Huse and Son.-

* Violetwanda  - *Customer picks: best quality, best products, best warranty

This company is owned and operated by a husband and wife team who do violet wands only, so their focus is 100% on the wand. Thus their violet wand product line is the largest and the most innovative with many options. They have worked with independent researchers to develop new and safer violet wand products and techniques for those products, including internal violet wand electrodes. There was one bump in their business a few years ago when they lost a partner, but they stabilized without further problems. OEM warranties are rated best, including an unprecedented lifetime service warranty on the generators, and full repair services. Offers custom or modified equipment on request. Two retail lines at www.violetwanda.com with their advanced Mjolnir violet wand systems at www.violet-wands.com. This company's emphasis is mostly on their direct sales. Manufacturer, wholesale, dropship and retail.  Due to demand and the fact they are the only source company for many violet wand products on the market, there is sometimes a waiting list on their unique or advanced items. Fast shipping with discrete packaging.  ALL USA manufacture.

-Click here to see more detailed information for Violetwanda.-

 **Retailers:**
Retailers are actually too numerous to mention, as they include your local brick and mortar retail stores from coast to coast.  Their time in business varies greatly.  The largest online retailers of violet wands (sales primarily online) received consumer input for the survey in this category.

Click on the name for in-depth ratings information, company information and history, and survey results. 

* The Violet Wand Store(tm) -  *Customer pick: Best value/prices*

Violet wands only.  Under new ownership since 2007 at www.violetwands.com.  While a new owner, the business itself has continuity since 2000.  They have a best price policy, and the peripheral gear is professionally machined rather than homemade.  This company carries multiple makes, models and manufacturers of violet wand generators and accessories for all budgets so has a wide variety to fit all needs.  Stock electrodes, professional manufacture peripherals.  Excellent warranty, good service including major and minor repairs.  Has a 'trade-in' program.  Meets or exceeds all consumer expectations. Very fast shipping, discrete packaging. 

-Click here for more detailed information for The Violet Wand Store-

* JT's Stockroom/Kinklab  - *Customer pick: fastest shipping

-Click here for more detailed information.- Large general fetish retailer including a small number of violet wands.  Stockroom carries the quality Rupert Huse violet wands which are a recommended brand, but also inferior violet wand products.  They also re-sell Dr. Clockwork wand retail kits which have two levels of price markup(see below). The Kinklab line is made up of import chinese devices marketed as the 'neon wand' which should be avoided since it will not work with violet wand accessories and it will not do violet wand techniques.  Rupert Huse brand comes with Huse warranties.  Other warranties are limited; no servicing or repairs, good customer service.  Packages are labeled with company name.

-Click here for more detailed information for JT's Stockroom-

* Extreme Restraints/Healthy and Active -

Large general fetish retailer including a small number of violet wand kits.  Carries quality US manufacture Rupert Huse brand violet wand kits at Extreme Restraints.  The Zeus machine from Healthy and Active is a Ukranian device which has very little to no output and it can not do violet wand techniques.  Inexpensive, but the Zeus should be avoided as it will not work with other violet wand electrodes or any violet wand accessories and will not do violet wand techniques. No warranties or repairs, good customer service. Packages are labeled with company name.

-Click here for more detailed information for Extreme Restraints-

*VioletWand Network.  *Best international support."

Violet wands only.  Large variety of violet wand products.  This retail and content site carries Violetwanda brand violet wands and gear. Items are discounted on the network for members, and in some cases can be less expensive than buying direct from the manufacturer.   Provides extensive manufacturer warranties and service.  International support, customer service in 5 languages. Fast shipping, discrete packaging.

-Click here for more detailed information for The Violet Wand Network-

*Mr S Leather -

Large general Fetish Retailer.  Carries limited Rupert Huse wand kits.  No peripherals. No warranties or repairs, decent customer service. Packages are labeled.  High price mark up, usually 2x + other sources.

CUSTOMER NOTES: Consumers noted repeated difficulties with their purchases from the 3 larger general fetish retail stores, citing the store's lack of knowledge of the product, lack of information or support, and lack of knowledge in techniques and use.  Consumers noted that full product support was available from the two violet wand-only specialists retailers.

**Vendors:**
Vendors are small retail-only operations that sell primarily through fetish events.  They may be supported by some online sales.  They obtain their wands and electrodes from the same sources and suppliers, then mostly home-make their peripherals. Notations and ratings are made for the factors that can differentiate them in their category.  These vendors listed generally have been selling violet wands for around 2 years or less at the time of this survey.  While the businesses in this category have the same source companies and suppliers that they can draw from for their violet wand products, their end results, peripheral quality, warranties, service, and their retail operations vary.

Click on name for in-depth information, company information and more survey results.

~Denotes Insufficient data/no comments or ratings received

* Big head studios - *Customer pick: Best customer service* 
General fetish products including violet wands.  Prices average, quality is good to fair for handmade peripherals. Bighead studios is definitely the most consumer friendly with highest customer service ratings according to all responses.  All good comments overall.  Stock generators, better stock electrodes with some proprietary electrodes, and good quality handmade peripherals.  Average retail warranty, minor repairs.  Meets or exceeds all consumer expectations.  Bighead Studios sets the 'bar' standards for the minimums for any violet wand vendor, receiving at least three stars in each criterium.

-Click here for more detailed information for Bighead Studios-

100Proof Lifestyle Toys

This little known violet wand manufacturing business owned and operated by Mr. Quietstorm builds one of a kind, bespoke exclusive luxury violet wand kits, and distributes largely by word of mouth and at events.  No website.  Quality is high with good product as well.  Stock generators and electrodes, but it is the luxury leathers, furs, and diamonds incorporated into the  violet wand kits that make them noteworthy.  High ticket luxury prices, lengthy time to fulfill an order. Better 1 year warranty, repairs and attentive customer service.

-Click here for more detailed information for 100Proof-

* Dr. Clockwork -
Wand seller / web designer.   Dr. Clockwork's was cited as having a 'fun' and attractive website and having the highest prices.  His marketing was commented on far more than his products or services and he was noted as being the most visible of the vendors.  Received disproportionately high number of customer comments regarding his smear advertising and aggressive sales tactics to make a sale, particularly by denigrating other vendors in his category.  This event vendor was noted for having the highest prices for the same violet wands and wand products in this category.  Stock generators, chinese import electrodes, fair to low quality handmade peripherals.  Minor repairs, limited warranty.

-Click here for more detailed information for Dr. Clockwork-

*Alternative Sites, Ltd - *poorest reputation, lowest quality on peripherals*
Caution!  Phishing exploits  Click here for more info.

General fetish products including violet wands.  Less than 2 years selling violet wands and this seller was continually cited as having the least favorable reputation and poorest service in this category.  Vends at east coast events.  Maintains several phishing exploit or scam websites which mimic the sites and names of other legitimate fetish and violet wand entities and sellers, plus impersonates other sellers. Survey responders reported that they often did not receive product, received poor products, received product late, or that the violet wand peripheral products were very poor.  Stock generators, chinese import electrodes and poor quality peripherals. No repairs or warranty. Avoid.

**Resellers:**

Resellers deal in used equipment.

*Nick and  Morphia.  Used violet ray machines. 

Refurbished and rebuilt antique European and UK manufacture violet ray devices.  Antique electrodes.  Quality and safe rebuilds, however specs vary widely and are not to any modern US safety standards.  The machines can not accept all violet wand accessories, may not be interchangeable with violet wand electrodes due to European size variances between makes and models, and can not do all violet wand techniques.  Good antique product support and extensive repair services.

* DMT electro, (freezable), ebay only

Used or repurposed generators, including antique Master Ray violet ray generators (wax), used or antique or import electrodes as available, very low quality handmade peripherals. Prices consistent with used items or low quality handmade items.  However, fast shipping as enforced by ebay.  No after-sale product support, the service ends with the sale, no repairs, and no warranties.

 

The 2011 Customer picks from all sources:

Best quality: Violetwanda

Best products: Violetwanda

Best warranties: Violetwanda

Best prices/value: The Violet Wand Store (tm)

Best customer service: Bighead Studios

Best reputation: Rupert Huse

Fastest shipping: JTs Stockroom

Best International Support: The Violet Wand Network

Warranty data:

lifetime:  Violetwanda

5 years The Violet Wand Store

1 year:  100 proof lifestlye toys, Violet Wand Resource Network

90 days: Rupert Huse, Bighead Studio, Dr. Clockwork, JT Stockroom


Thank you for your contributions to the 2009-2010 surveys.  You may continue to contribute at www.violetwand.com for the 2011-2012 two-year survey period.