Spent Almost 10 Years at Fleshlight: 10 of the Most Common Customer Complaints

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I spent almost a decade at Fleshlight—first in product development, then working closely with the customer service team. And let me tell you something nobody else will: I heard the same complaints over and over again.

Not the fake stuff you see in most reviews. Real problems. Real frustrations. The kind of issues that made guys write angry emails or call our support line at midnight. Working alongside customer service for years shaped my approach to reviewing Fleshlights—I focus on the real-world problems, not just the marketing hype.

Here are the most common customer complaints I dealt with during my time there.

1. "It Doesn't Fit" (Size Disasters)

This was huge. Guys would order a Quickshot thinking it's just a smaller Fleshlight. Wrong.

The reality: The Quickshot accommodates up to 4.5 inches in girth. If you're thicker than that, you're not getting in there without pain. Same with the Flight (5.5 inches max girth) and the Go (6.5 inches max).

The full-size Fleshlight handles up to 7.5 inches in girth. That's the one most guys need, but they order the compact versions thinking they're saving space.

What we told them: Check the size chart on Fleshlight's website. Always. The FAQ lists every model's dimensions, but nobody reads it until after they've already ordered the wrong size.

My take: If you're above average in girth (over 5 inches around), just get the full-size. The compact models aren't built for you, and the customer service team can't fix anatomy.

💡 Pro tip: If you're above average in girth (over 5.5 inches around), stick with the full-size model. The compact versions will be uncomfortable. Check the official size chart before ordering.

2. They Forgot to Remove the Shipping Rod

Yes. This happened all the time.

The problem: Every Fleshlight ships with a cardboard or plastic rod inside the sleeve to keep its shape during transit. You're supposed to remove it before use.

Guys didn't. They'd try to use it with the rod still in there, realize something was very wrong, and then blame the product.

What we told them: "Check inside the sleeve before first use." It's in the instructions, but who reads those?

My take: This is 100% user error, but it happened so often we started putting warning stickers on the packaging. Still happened.

3. "It Hurts" / "It Doesn't Work" (No Lube)

The #2 complaint by volume. Guys would use the Fleshlight dry or with way too little lube, then complain it hurt or felt terrible.

The reality: SuperSkin material has high friction. Without water-based lube, you're basically creating a suction vice that will chafe you raw.

From my time working with customer service, a huge portion of "it doesn't work" or "it hurts" complaints were actually about not using enough lube.

What we told them: Use a generous amount of water-based lubricant. Reapply during use if needed. The material is designed to work with lube, not against it.

My take: If you're the type who forgets this step, consider options like Tenga's premium vacuum cups that come pre-lubed. You literally can't forget because it's already in there.

4. The Material Gets Sticky

This one's real and annoying.

The problem: After washing, the SuperSkin material dries with a slightly tacky surface. It's not defective, it's just how the material behaves. If you don't use renewing powder (literally just cornstarch), it feels sticky and collects lint.

Multiple customers would contact us thinking their Fleshlight was defective or that they'd washed it wrong.

What we told them: Apply Fleshlight Renewing Powder after it's completely dry. Or use regular cornstarch from your kitchen, which is the same thing.

My take: This is one of those "annoying but not a dealbreaker" issues. The renewing powder works, but it's an extra step that adds to the already lengthy maintenance routine.

5. Drying Takes Forever (The Real Cleanup Problem)

Let's talk about the elephant in the room: cleanup.

The reality: A Fleshlight sleeve needs 4-8 hours to air dry completely. If you don't dry it fully, mold will grow inside. That's not a Fleshlight problem, that's just biology.

This was the #1 reason guys stopped using their Fleshlights according to our internal surveys. Not because it didn't feel good. Because the post-use routine sucked.

What we told them: Use a drying rack, thread a microfiber cloth through it, or buy the Fleshlight Air drying device. These speed up the process.

My take: This is why I focus so much on cleanup in my cleaning guide. The sensation might be 10/10, but if the maintenance is 3/10, most guys will stop using it within a month. Be honest with yourself about whether you'll actually commit to the cleaning routine.

6. Manufacturing Defects (Bubbles, Sharp Edges, Cavities)

This was controversial internally.

The problem: Sometimes sleeves would have small bubbles, rough spots at the entrance, or minor cavities in the inner texture.

Here's what most people don't understand: cosmetic issues on the outside were usually caught during QA. Our quality control team checked every sleeve before it shipped.

But internal texture discrepancies? Those were much harder to spot. You can't see inside the sleeve without turning it inside out, and doing that during inspection would damage it. So small internal bubbles or texture variations could slip through.

Customer service would often say these are "normal" and don't affect performance. Customers (rightfully) felt that a $70 product shouldn't have visible defects.

What we told them: Minor imperfections that don't affect sensation are within normal manufacturing tolerance. For severe issues (sharp edges that caused pain or bleeding), we'd replace it immediately.

My take: The company's position was technically correct—most small bubbles genuinely don't affect how it feels. But I get why customers were annoyed. If I'm paying premium prices, I want premium quality control. This was one area where competing brands like Bad Dragon had better consistency.

7. Too Tight / Causes Soreness

Some textures, especially the Stamina Training Unit (STU), were intentionally designed to be almost too intense.

The problem: Guys would order the tightest, most intense texture thinking "more sensation = better." Then they'd use it and end up sore, sometimes to the point of minor abrasions.

What we told them: The STU is for stamina training, meaning short sessions. Use more lube. Consider switching to a less intense texture like the Original Pink Lady or explore gentler options in my texture guide.

My take: The STU was designed to be challenging on purpose, but we probably should have been clearer about that in the marketing. Not every texture is meant for long sessions.

8. The Sleeve Split or Tore

This happened occasionally, usually from one of three causes:

1. Using hot water to warm it up: Speeds up material degradation
2. Turning it inside out to dry: Creates micro-fissures that eventually split
3. Using it without enough lube: Excessive friction causes tears at the entrance

What we told them: Follow the care instructions. Don't use water hotter than warm. Don't turn it inside out. Use adequate lubrication.

My take: SuperSkin material is durable if you treat it right, but it's not indestructible. The sleeves that lasted "a lifetime" came from customers who followed every care instruction religiously.

9. "Why Don't You Have [Pornstar Name]?"

This one was interesting.

The problem: Guys would email asking why we didn't have a specific pornstar. Sometimes it was a rising star. Sometimes it was a legend who hadn't worked with us yet.

What we told them: Both fans and the performers themselves could reach out to customer service about potential collaborations. We'd pass requests to the product team.

But here's what most people didn't know: becoming a Fleshlight Girl was a big deal. The standards were high, and the selection process was long. It wasn't just about popularity—it involved contract negotiations, scheduling for the molding process, marketing commitments, and making sure it was the right fit for both sides.

We couldn't just add every requested performer, even if we wanted to.

The game-changer: Fleshlight Pro launched, letting any creator (camgirls, OnlyFans models, independent performers) create their own Fleshlight without going through the company's main Fleshlight Girls approval process.

My take: If your favorite performer isn't a Fleshlight Girl, encourage them to check out Fleshlight Pro. It's a revenue opportunity for them, and you get what you want. The barrier to entry is much lower while still maintaining quality standards.

10. Customer Service Response Times

I'm going to be honest here: customer service was inconsistent for years.

The problem: Response times ranged from 24 hours to several days. Some representatives had reputations for being dismissive about defects or placing blame on customers rather than investigating issues.

When the company was growing fast, customer service didn't scale at the same pace. Guys would have legitimate issues, and the response would either be slow or feel like copy-paste answers.

What changed: In recent years, there's been a significant push to improve customer service quality. The managers I worked with took complaints very seriously and were quick to respond when escalation was needed.

The company also added live chat to the website, which helped resolve issues much faster than the old email-only system. Being able to get real-time help made a huge difference for customers with urgent problems.

My take: It's gotten better, but customer service quality still depends on which representative you get. If you have an issue, use the live chat feature first—response times are faster, and you can tell immediately if you're getting helpful support or copy-paste responses.

The Bottom Line

After 10 years at Fleshlight, here's my honest assessment:

The complaints weren't usually about the sensation. Most guys agreed Fleshlights felt great. The complaints were about:

• Size mismatches (check the specs)
• User error (use lube, remove the rod)
• Maintenance (drying takes forever)
• Quality control inconsistencies
• Customer service frustrations

If you're considering a Fleshlight: Read the size chart. Commit to the cleaning routine. Use lots of water-based lube. Set realistic expectations about the maintenance time. Check out my guide to the best Fleshlight models to find the right one for you.

If that sounds like too much work: Consider easier maintenance options like Tenga's premium vacuum cups. There are plenty of alternatives that solve the cleanup problem—read my Fleshlight vs Tenga comparison to see which is right for you.

Be honest with yourself about what you'll actually stick with. The best male toy is the one you'll actually use.

FAQ

Q: What's the most common Fleshlight complaint?
A: Drying time. The material needs 4-8 hours to dry completely, and most guys underestimate how annoying that becomes after the first few uses.

Q: Do I really need to use renewing powder?
A: Technically no, but without it, the material gets sticky and collects lint. It's basically cornstarch, so you can use the cheap stuff from your kitchen or buy the official Fleshlight Renewing Powder.

Q: Why do some sleeves have bubbles or imperfections inside?
A: These happen during manufacturing. Small ones don't affect performance, but sharp edges or large cavities should be reported for replacement.

Q: What if I'm too big for a Fleshlight?
A: The full-size accommodates up to 7.5 inches in girth. If you're larger, you'll have a tough time. There aren't many good options in the market for guys above that measurement.

Q: How do I make a Fleshlight last longer?
A: Follow the care instructions exactly. Use water-based lube only. Don't use hot water. Don't turn it inside out. Clean it with Fleshwash after every use. Dry it completely before storing. Treat it right, and it'll last years.

Q: Is customer service better now than when you worked there?
A: Yes, significantly. In my later years there, management made it a priority. They added live chat for faster response times and were much quicker to escalate legitimate issues. It's still not perfect, but it's improved from the early days.

Q: What's the best Fleshlight for beginners?
A: The Original Pink Lady with the standard texture. It's the baseline experience. If you want something with more intensity, check out the Riley Reid Utopia—it's the #1 best-seller for a reason. If the maintenance feels like too much, switch to easier-to-clean disposable options like Tenga products.

Q: Can I speed up the drying process?
A: Yes. Use a drying rack, thread a microfiber cloth through the sleeve, or buy the Fleshlight Air device. Patience is still required though. Read my complete cleaning guide for all the details.