Rosheika Grant, STAR Writer

Although the artificial vagina sex toy is proposed as a more than suitable alternative to a woman's vagina, sex shops and marketers are finding it to be a hard sell.

The fake vagina toy, which looks like the female sex organ, is pink or blush in colour, with a small hole in the middle.

The toy has several features: Some can be tightened, some can be loosened, while others have the ability to vibrate.

The product is available at several novelty sex shops in Jamaica for between $2,500 and $5,500.

Embarrassed

One proprietor of a novelty sex shop in Ocho Rios said that men are embarrassed to buy the product even though they frequently enquire about the sex toy.

"I have only sold three in four years, and that's because men are embarrassed about buying a replacement vagina," said the store manager, who asked not to be named.

She also pointed out that only one of the three sales took place in store as the others took place through deliveries.

A marketer from St Thomas also has the same problem with the sale of the product.

"The women dem are bolder than the man dem and come straight up to buy wah dem want, but the man now fraid fi buy it," said the marketer, who has only sold three in six months.

The operator of a sex shop in Kingston said the enquiries have been frequent, while the sales have been minimal.

"The men will call and ask many questions about it, but when it comes to the final sale, they all don't want to commit," said the operator, who has only sold the toy twice.

In showing the advantages of the toy, the store operator said, "When you buy the fake vagina, especially the more expensive one which feels like the inside of a woman, you nuh need fi put up with the nagging from a woman for a little sex," said the owner.