Not only theaters and bars have had to close due to the coronavirus pandemic, but also brothels and other establishments of pleasure. Two businessmen are taking a turn: Thomas K. (23) and Niklas G. (24) opened a new rental service for love dolls in August. The women they employ are called Sarah, Valerie, and Alena. They are blonde, brunette, and redheaded, have large breasts and soft skin—and after sex, they end up on the sink!
A rental service for sex dolls? That sounds like a pretty strange idea at first. And indeed: "We have to explain what we do to a lot of people," says Thomas K. "When we wanted to rent our office space, the landlord asked us what we were planning. I said: We're opening a rental service for lifelike love dolls. He replied: Okay, joking aside, what do you really do?" But after the initial misunderstandings, the irritations were quickly dispelled. "After all, we're in Berlin, the city of freedom. And sex has long since ceased to be a taboo subject," says the young businessman.
Thomas K. (23) and his business partner Niklas G. (24) founded the company "housedoll" – they rent out sex dolls. They don't want their real names published in the newspaper, as the Berliners also run a real estate company and prefer not to mix the two.
K. came up with the idea for the doll escort service while surfing the internet in 2019. "I stumbled upon a VR brothel," he says. It's an online game where you can create your own characters and simulate sexual intercourse. He also came across "Bordoll," a doll brothel in Dortmund. "The creator actually had a real brothel, but then at some point she bought a sex doll – and suddenly she only had bookings for the doll."
The young men did their research, bought three dolls from a specialized company, and launched their business. "The dolls are made of TPE, a special silicone that quickly absorbs and releases body heat," says Niklas G. "The metal skeleton inside the dolls also allows for any possible pose." Customers can order their desired doll online, choosing the body shape, outfit, and hair color. The current models, Sarah, Valerie, and Alena, are around 1.60 meters tall and weigh between 28 and 49 kilograms.
Many couples want a threesome, but without jealousy
The beautiful item is delivered hygienically packaged in a transport crate. Since its inception, the dolls' tenants have primarily been businessmen who have had the toys delivered to their hotels. "Human service providers" weren't available, says K. But couples who wanted a threesome without jealousy have also ordered them – and, of course, lonely single men.
After the rental period (a doll costs €189 per night), the silicone women return to the office, are professionally cleaned and disinfected, and also oiled and powdered. "This makes the skin beautifully soft," says K. The use of a UVC lamp with a special black light is intended to guarantee that all germs are killed. The customer is responsible for the rough pre-cleaning – those who book agree to "rinse the doll's love orifices" before the actual return, says Niklas G.
But the two men aren't just interested in their service for fun—they also recognize an important function for their inanimate employees. "A healthy sex life is important for one's own well-being," says Thomas K. If everything works in this area of life, it also affects one's professional and social life. "But what are people supposed to do who suffer from social anxiety? Who are ashamed of their bodies or afraid to approach women? With the dolls, we can give everyone access to sex." Furthermore, there are many singles—and people who can't live out all their fantasies even in a relationship. "Many wouldn't dare go to a brothel either. They would rather stay in their own comfort zone to experiment."
The two Berliners want to further expand their offerings, offer more sex toys, and also add male dolls to their range, as demand is high. Only one question remains: What does sex with such a doll feel like? It's good, says K. – even more stimulating than the real thing. He tried it himself. "I'll be honest," he says, smiling. "I used to work at a car dealership and sold cars I wasn't convinced about." His girlfriend also agreed – it was in the spirit of product research, after all.
