While cities like New York are making condoms more accessible to the public, some private stores throughout the country are putting them under lock and key. Atlanta-based blogger Darian Aaron made this shocking discovery while buying contact solution."Once I managed to find out where the solution was located I picked up a bottle and proceeded to check out, but I was stopped suddenly by the strangest thing. Condoms. Yes, I said condoms," Darian recalled. "It wasn't strange for me to see condoms in the grocery store, the part that was odd and upsetting for me was that the condoms were not accessible, they were locked in a glass cage with instructions that read, 'please see a cashier for key.'"Darian then wrote about the impact condoms in a glass case may have on young people,
"I think condoms should be just as easy to retrieve as a carton of milk. I left the store wondering how many young men were too embarrassed to ask for assistance in purchasing protection." (read more)Condoms are accessible at some community centers and gay bars (any venue worth a drink ticket should have a bucket of free wraps); however, these freebies usually lack variety. One bar I visited only offered extra thick non-lubricated wraps. Talk about a deterrent? Of course, the old cliché stands: You get what you pay for. That said, purchasing condoms might be the only option for non-bar folks (underage or not) or those seeking comfort over savings. Stores that have chosen to cage their condoms are limiting accessibility, which could arguably reduce condom use.
Each retailer has to provide its own explanation as to why their condoms are locked away. I'm assuming the number one argument is theft prevention, but why create accessibility nightmares in the process—especially knowing that buying condoms is already an awkward transaction?
Placing condoms under lock and key may help stores balance their inventory sheets, but the anxiety and embarrassment inflicted on buyers, especially teenagers, is immeasurable. Retailers should parole the caged condoms and invest in more modern theft prevention technology. When it comes to condoms, customer comfort has to be a top priority. Heaven forbid they start calling for price checks over the loud speaker...
Share:
What's your favorite condom brand and type?
Would you still buy condoms if you had to ask for assistance?
Condom How To's:
How To Buy a Condom
How To Put on a Condom
News:
NYC Subway Riders Get Condoms
Image © Cavell L. Blood.
Re: Condoms under glass. YES, I’d be very happy to ask for and buy condoms that are under lock and key. Call me paraniod, but there is a faction out there that seems to feel “if I have H.I.V., I’m taking down as many as I can with me”. This attitude could easily lead to product tampering. We’ve seen all types of products over the past few years become more resistant to tampering leading to more confidence and security by the consumer.
If a Woman has the guts to go in and ask for the morning after pill, feminine hygiene products or condoms for that matter. Then what’s up with us guys, we can’t ask for a product from a pharmacist that would very likely stop them from having to prevent dispensing A.I.D.S. treatment medication. It’s all confidential and these people have seen and been asked it all. Grow some cajones, ask for the case to be opened, get what you need and avoid the negative ramifications that may develop either through product tampering or simply not using the product out of shame or embarrasment. S.
Steve,
Do you think tampering is the reason why stores are locking up condoms? Sure, there are a fraction of HIV-poz folks that intentionally transmit the virus or are simply apathetic about it, but I’ve never heard of this very small number of people actually damaging condom packages in stores.
Regarding your “Buying a Condom” article:
> These days safer sex is no longer an option
You screwed the idiom up. What you meant was:
> These days, safer sex is no longer optional
The two phrases may appear similar, but they mean exactly the opposite of one another.