Useless Items
Wednesday, April 30th, 2008
It turns out laser guided scissors are only as steady as the hand holding them.
Have you ever purchased something that seemed like a good idea at the time, but now collects dust at the back of a storage closet? You should probably get rid of it - Goodwill, garage sale, re-gift for your brother-in-law - but guilt gets the best of you, so back in the closet it goes until spring cleaning next year.
A British company that ranks consumer satisfaction conducted a survey on this very topic. Here’s their Top 10 list:
1. Electric nail file
2. Laser guided scissors
3. Electric candles
4. Make your own soda pop machine
5. Foot spa
6. Fondue set
7. Hair crimper
8. Egg boiler
9. Electric fluff remover
10. Electric carving knife
I must disagree with the fondue set and foot spa. I use both - not frequently, but often enough that I don’t regret purchasing them. My fondue pot is electric, so no need to worry about oil or alcohol, and it’s great for a leisurely dinner. The foot bath is fantastic in the winter if your feet get cold or wet, and excellent in the summer if your tootsies are calloused from walking barefoot. I don’t own a hair crimper, but I did buyer a hair dryer that has a roller brush on the end. It’s supposed to dry and volumize your hair at the same time. All I ever did with it is get it stuck in my hair. Still, I’m no good with a hair dryer and roller brush separately (I didn’t get that particular girl gene), so I keep hoping one day I’ll have some kind of epiphany and the appliance will miraculously become useful.
Have you ever owned anything on this list? What pointless gadgets have you succumbed to? How much did you pay for them and how did you get rid of them? Share your pain by clicking on the No Comments/Comments link at the bottom. Today’s Jack Nation bonus code is USELESS. But the code isn’t useless - it’s worth valuable points until May 2nd.