The gadget graveyard
Not all kitchen gadgets are as popular as the toaster
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Thursday, 28, Sep 2006 05:00
If you've ever bought a slick new gadget that's guaranteed to revolutionise your life and then found you can never be bothered to use it, you're not alone.
A new survey from internet insurance firm esure has investigated the phenomenon of 'white elephant' gadgets and the most popular, least-used electronic timesavers on the retail market.
Now in its fourth year, the poll of unused gadgets shows that while dust-gathering of exciting new electronic toys never really changes, the type of gadgets earning the dubious honour of being the most useless of all has shifted.
Rather than sandwich toasters, healthier kitchen items like coffee makers, juicers and electric slow cookers grace the top ten.
But the number one useless item remains the electric grill, which has been bought by 22 per cent of the public in the last two years but has been rejected by 60 per cent of purchasers.
Other gadgets which have failed to convince consumers into adopting them as a permanent change to their everyday practices are electronic bathroom scales, dehumidifiers and breadmakers.
"The 'unused gadgets' poll is a microscope on the dark and dusty corners of household spending - those items that people buy full of enthusiasm and zeal before rapidly losing interest in them," explained Nikki Sellers, head of home insurance for esure.
"It seems to be more effort for people to unbox a gadget, find a home for it and then read the instructions, than carry on the old-fashioned way."
Readers upset by the terrible waste the esure poll has uncovered might wish to consider soothing their poor distressed souls with a facial sauna, foot spa or electric manicure set.