Latest news with #AntoniaHristov
South Wales Guardian
05-08-2025
- South Wales Guardian
Expert warns of risks when buying tech devices on Vinted
Now though, an expert has issued a warning to those using Vinted for buying and selling electronic devices. While it might seem pretty harmless to pass on your old phone or tablet, you should think twice, warns Antonia Hristov, Head of Marketing at the mobile phone recycling comparison site Compare and Recycle. 'Selling tech on second-hand marketplaces means you'll need to create your own listing with high-quality photos of your device, alongside responding to potential buyers' questions - not to mention them haggling for lower prices', says Antonia. A post shared by Vinted (@vinted) Antonia, from Compare and Recycle, explains that while Vinted does have an Electronics Verification service, it comes at an additional cost of £5 and 'only covers the functionality, condition, attributes and authenticity of devices.' Without paying for it, Antonia explains that there's no way to ensure the device you've purchased will arrive as claimed by the seller. Concerningly, research from Which? shows that a third of buyers and a fifth of sellers have experienced a marketplace scam in the past two years. Even if they do buy marketplace premium protections, Antonia added: 'Buyers could also be at risk of buying a device that is still under finance. 'Doing so could mean the phone might be locked to a specific network, and if the previous owner stops making their monthly payments, the phone would likely be blacklisted using the IMEI number by the lender.' Antonia continued: 'Similarly, sellers could be at risk of personal data being left on a device if the seller fails to perform data erasure, which will mean that buyers won't be able to have full access to the device, and the seller could potentially be exposed to data misuse." To avoid any potential issues with selling tech, Antonia advises that: 'Peer-to-peer sales can be great with low-risk items like clothing, but for tech, it's always best to use specialist tech recycling companies like those listed on Compare and Recycle. 'While selling on marketplaces like Vinted might seem convenient - especially if you're a frequent user - choosing a tech recycling site for selling second-hand devices is a better option because it is low effort for the seller and recyclers verify, test, and securely erase data, without hidden or additional protection fees.' Vinted outlines the electrical items you can sell which include mobile phones, landline phones, accessories including phone cases and chargers plus tablets and e-readers. Recommended reading: 11 side hustles to make the most of the HMRC proposed changes HMRC issues £1000 warning to Ebay, Vinted, Facebook Marketplace and Etsy users Cadbury to release 'indulgent' new Advent calendar that's already causing a stir You can also sell bigger electrical items like TVs, satellite dishes, DVD players and more. It doesn't stop there though as you can also sell hair styling tools, electric razors, headphones, game consoles and more. See the full list of electronic devices you can sell on Vinted via the website (linked above). Newsquest has contacted Vinted for comment.
Daily Mirror
18-07-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
Brit drivers with phone holders in their cars issued urgent warning
Drivers up and down the nation have been warned over using phone holders in their car during the coming weeks, or risk causing severe damage to their vehicles and devices Brits using phone holders in their cars for navigation apps like Google Maps have been urged to act quickly to avoid a potentially costly and dangerous safety risk. As the UK experiences heatwave after heatwave, with another intense heat spell slated for the end of July, experts from phone comparison and recycling specialists Compare and Recycle have warned that extreme temperatures and direct sunlight can cause serious, lasting damage to these devices. The warning comes after weather maps released by the Met Office show more scorching highs are expected this month - with the mercury expected to reach 31°C in the southeast of England by Tuesday, July 29, Smartphones are generally designed to function safely at temperatures up to about 35°C. However, when this threshold is surpassed, it can lead to potentially hazardous issues. These include the phone's battery overheating or swelling, which in some cases could start a fire. Other risks include permanent damage to the phone's screen and processor, unexpected shutdowns, reduced performance and accelerated deterioration of internal components. When the temperature outside is 30°C, the interior of a vehicle can reach 50°C within half an hour. This rapid rise is caused by the greenhouse effect — sunlight passing through windows heats the surfaces inside, but the heat cannot escape easily, causing the temperature inside to be far higher than outside. So placing a phone on the dashboard also exposes it to intense heat, greatly raising its internal temperature to dangerous levels. Head of marketing at Compare and Recycle, Antonia Hristov, said: "Using your phone for any task generates heat, and when it's in direct sunlight — especially mounted next to a windscreen where the glass creates a greenhouse effect and intensifies the heat — it can quickly exceed safe operating temperatures going beyond the recommended 35°C, which even phones with advanced cooling systems struggle with. "An overheating battery doesn't just pose a risk of damaging your device; it can also pose a safety risk. When temperatures soar outside, we recommend attaching your phone using a holder that clips onto the air-conditioning vent, keeping the phone cool." The expert advises using Apple or Android Car Play instead, which allows you to store your phone in a 'shaded and cool spot' in the car while you're driving. "You can even remove your phone case or switch on airplane mode while driving to help with cooling," she added. So with the prospect of searing temperatures hitting parts of the UK in less than a fortnight, taking simple precautions with your phone while driving can prevent costly damage and reduce the risk of fire.
