Reply to topic  [ 7 posts ] 
Jessops goes into administration 
Author Message
What's a life?
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:27 pm
Posts: 12251
Reply with quote
Quote:
Troubled High Street camera retailer Jessops has gone into administration, with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) appointed as the administrator.

In 2009, Jessops managed to avoid administration by agreeing a debt for equity swap with its lender HSBC.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20958659

_________________
All the best,
Paul
brataccas wrote:
your posts are just combo chains of funny win

I’m on Twitter, tweeting away... My Photos Random Avatar Explanation


Wed Jan 09, 2013 4:01 pm
Profile
Doesn't have much of a life
User avatar

Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 12:43 pm
Posts: 1798
Location: Manchester
Reply with quote
Jessops were actually pretty good when they used to be more of a specialist high-street photography shop - I used them quite a lot about 5-10 years ago and I trusted their advice when buying something.

But since they rebranded themselves and tried to make their stores into clones of Comet/Currys etc they've been no better than the rest - and usually more expensive. I went in the Manchester store just before Christmas and was completely underwhelmed, the sales staff didn't seem to know their stuff and just tried to steer customers to the cameras that had the highest pixel count or price, something we all know doesn't really count towards much when buying a camera.

Not really a surprise, they alienated their old customer base - the amateur and semi-professional photographers - and went chasing the competitive, consumer end of the market - seemingly without fully training their staff in the fundamental basics of camera equipment. At least, that's the impression I got when I visited Jessops - a photography equivalent of PC World.

_________________
* Steve *

* Witty statement goes here *


Wed Jan 09, 2013 5:07 pm
Profile
What's a life?
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 7:56 pm
Posts: 12030
Reply with quote
Mixed feelings about this.
On one occasion, I was shooting in Exeter. My battery ran out, so when I went for lunch I went and found a branch, and I asked if I could stick it on charge. They charged the battery, I went and got some food, returned to collect the battery and also picked up some more 120 roll film from them so I could continue shooting on that if the other camera died. Great customer service, in that instance. In others, not so much.
Locally, the staff are hit and miss. I've heard "Four Thirds? What does that even mean?" from behind the counter.

_________________
www.alexsmall.co.uk

Charlie Brooker wrote:
Windows works for me. But I'd never recommend it to anybody else, ever.


Wed Jan 09, 2013 5:33 pm
Profile
What's a life?
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 6:27 pm
Posts: 12251
Reply with quote
Here we have a Jessops and the Chelmsford branch of Camera World (the other being just off Oxford Street in London). I agree that once Jessops knew what they were up to, but now it's what A refer to as a "toy shop" - the emphasis being on consumer equipment. The only time I have bought from them has been when their prices out did Camera World.

More recently, though, it's not even tempted me in. It just looks like the people there have no clue. I'm glad of the independent shop just round the corner.

_________________
All the best,
Paul
brataccas wrote:
your posts are just combo chains of funny win

I’m on Twitter, tweeting away... My Photos Random Avatar Explanation


Wed Jan 09, 2013 5:43 pm
Profile
What's a life?
User avatar

Joined: Thu Apr 23, 2009 8:46 pm
Posts: 10022
Reply with quote
I agree with the above sentiments.

About 15 years ago, I found my dad's old SLR. Think it was a minolta. It also had an off camera flash that was fixed ie no bounce/swivel. The camera worked okay but the flash didn't. The connections in the battery holder had rusted over. I took the flash to Jessops and they had a look. They gave the connections a good scrub and clean, which worked in a resulting flash. They even went and had a look if there was another holder that would fit.

Fastforward to 2011 and I went to look at the G12. They had it in store but the price was higher than amazon's so the plan was to buy it from there. The guy had to look up special offers and gave me a great deal including memory card and case that was better than from Amazon. But he had to look things up instead of knowing where everything was. 10/10 for enthusiasm and help but a much less score on knowledge/experience.

_________________
Image
He fights for the users.


Wed Jan 09, 2013 7:48 pm
Profile
Legend
User avatar

Joined: Fri Apr 24, 2009 2:02 am
Posts: 29240
Location: Guantanamo Bay (thanks bobbdobbs)
Reply with quote
I bought my Canon EOS 600D from Jessops and got a good deal with flashes etc last year. It will be missed but they could not compete with online retailers.

_________________
Do concentrate, 007...

"You are gifted. Mine is bordering on seven seconds."

https://www.dropbox.com/referrals/NTg5MzczNTk

http://astore.amazon.co.uk/wwwx404couk-21


Wed Jan 09, 2013 8:37 pm
Profile
I haven't seen my friends in so long
User avatar

Joined: Fri May 15, 2009 3:16 am
Posts: 6146
Location: Middle Earth
Reply with quote
I'm not surprised to be honest. Of most of the stores I've visited more than 50% of floor space was given over to photo frames etc. rather than photographic gear. Look what happened to Athena.

_________________
Dive like a fish, drink like a fish!

><(((º>`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸><(((º>
•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸><(((º>`•.¸¸.•´¯`•.¸><(((º>

If one is diving so close to the limits that +/- 1% will make a difference then the error has already been made.


Thu Jan 10, 2013 7:16 am
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Reply to topic   [ 7 posts ] 

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 15 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to:  
Powered by phpBB® Forum Software © phpBB Group
Designed by ST Software.