£1.25bn worth of gadgets never even get out of the box

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Britons waste £1.25billion a year giving friends and relatives unwanted gadgets.

Everything from iPods to sat-navs are gathering dust because technophobes are too scared or busy to learn to use them.

The survey of 500 adults by home computer maintenance company Scooter Computer found that 22 per cent had been given a hi-tech gift in the last year which they had not learned how to work.

The research shows that the average price of the unused gadgets is £120.

Apple's iPod tops the top five, followed by digital cameras, computer software, satnavs and mobile phones.

The survey shows those aged 35 to 44 are the worst for leaving gadgets unused. Pensioners given an iPod or digital camera fare better because they have more time to figure them out.

Will Foot, of Scooter Computer, said: "Many people just do not have the time to get to grips with how their gift works and others are scared of change.

"Instruction books are daunting. Often we are called out to get a gadget running because their relative is coming to Sunday lunch and they know they will be asked to demonstrate how their iPod is working."

Technophobe Jan Sorensen, 47, of Putney, South-West London, said her heart sank when she received digital photo software at Christmas. She had been given a digital camera a month earlier - and it was still in its box.

She said: "I got a refund and bought some clothes. I am scared of new technology."