Rubbish gadgets

[hc4361]

Over the years I've bought some gadgets that promised me everything and delivered nothing, or were useless in a very short time.
Top of my list are

Betamax video - worked great but became obsolete

A video recorder with handheld scanner (to scan the codes in the tv listings) - never took off

A handheld scanner to scan text books to pc. Why did I even think it would be successful? A nightmare to use.

What are your favourite gadget failures?

[sandyRoe]

A solar powered charger for i-pod and mobile phone. So slow as to be useless.

[maggiebee]

Pineapple corer & peeler - absolutely useless

[Hopkirk]

I bought a Betamax VCR aswell.

It was better than VHS and should have won the battle.

[mrs_overall]

I too went for Betamax, and also an 8 track if anyone remembers those

[237SJ]

I had one of those chrome orange juicers with the pull-down handle. Someone from Freecycle went off with that. Also, an Epsom Picturemate which is on the top of the wardrobe and as been there for about two years.

[Mosaic]

One wedding present was a plastic bowl onto which a variety of shredders, choppers and graters could be fixed. By the time they were wrestled with, fixed, used and cleaned you could just use a knife and a chopping board. But it was a kind thought.

[flump1]

My Mum gave me a bread maker...that went to a friend, my mum gave me a pressure cooker that sits quietly in the cupboard. But the steam press I bought myself is brilliant and I use it regularly ! My mum went to the Ideal Home Exhibition earlier this year , I do so hope she bought something she won't use !

[stokemaveric]

the window wizard...the makers said it was the best invention since glass..what a waste of time...

[TTG]

Sandwich toaster. Used a couple of times before buying reusable bags for toasters.

[hc4361]

What's a window wizard?
I bought one of those multi slice things, too, and gave it to a charity shop.

Bread maker is in the loft.

[Hopkirk]

A wife

[maggiebee]

Mrs O, had an 8 track in my old Allegro. Very limited number of tapes but loved them.

[terrywogan]

I agree that the veggie slicer (which sliced through my fingers better than it sliced vegetables..) was/is rubbish but have to disagree about the bread maker. I use it at least three times a week!

[ummmm]

An egg boiler.

[lardhelmet]

Grouting pen

[pdust]

i dont know what it was called but it promised to chop, shred, grate, chip and a whole list of other stuff at the turn of an handle.... it did none....

[Jenarry]

some cordless hair straightners for use when we are camping and having a bad hair day. they were useless and made no difference to my hair. what a disappointment and a waste of money.

[HowardKennitby]

various sharpening gadgets for kitchen knives. Never found one that works properly.

[brenda]

Yoghurt maker, in plastic box,which had to be kept warm on a radiator.What a performance washing all the bits.

[tenrec]

I didn't like the soda stream. Made ridiculously sugary fizzy drinks, not good for the kids.