FYI - Jessops goes into administration

[stuck]

So it's PC World...now then

not for me. Let's see, when was the last time I bought anything in PC World? Oh yes that would be in 1998, before I had Internet access, when I bought my dial-up modem.

Ken

[Dave Humphries]

I and my family have bought from them (and Jacobs) in the past, even my D5000 came from a bricks'n'mortar store (an independent).

My reasons for buying there were when I needed to try something, or get advice - and I balance the value of that experience against the extra I'm being asked to pay over an internet price - much like Andrew, if I don't get what I consider adequate/good service, then I don't buy there, but equally, I do when I'm happy.

Unfortunately there aren't enough like me it seems - there are many that want "something for nothing" (try in store then go home and buy on internet because it's a few pounds/dollars/euros cheaper) and so "nothing" is what we'll all end up with

A shame, I do hope a few of the better stores can be resurrected.

That said, with something like a lens, where in store handling isn't much help in the decision process and I've already done the research online, online (usually Amazon UK) is where I buy from. So perhaps even I am partly to blame.

One avenue that helps stores are those corporate gift cards, I have also bought a couple of circa £400 P&S/bridge cameras in stores because I had a gift card (from my job) that could be redeemed and take a chunk off the store price and level the playing field - I'm sure the company probably don't pay face value, but I guess they must help(?).

Cheers,

[arith]

They had some great stuff, like the Jessops 360AFCD speedlight. They were selling it at £72 when a second hand one on Ebay went for £69. I wanted a carbon fibre tripod and monopod, also the new bag made by lowenpro that just swings round. They were the most helpful and the inside of the shop was decked out with photo's taken by the staff, some better than mine I mean all better than mine.

Went in with tiff images after being told to go away from everywhere else and they spent 30 mins converting them to jpeg, so I not only bought the photo's but had a key ring and calender, they even made those for me.

My tripods, monopods, heads, bags, filters and electronic gizmo's where all bought from the High st shop. Not really in the High st though but in a shopping centre where the security jump on you if you show a camera. So maybe there is a sort of justice since most shops in there are closed.

[Black Pearl]

Just under three months ago I took a shot very similar to this only then we were just about to fill a brand new flagship store with stock.
Today I took this as we gutted it ready for the end - it is a crying shame that such a fantastic retail experience has come to an end.



Such a waste.

[Adrian]

It is a great shame. Jessops obviously did have some good stores and some great staff in some of them. Our local store was not an example of that unfortunately and although it was busy on Saturdays this was mainly people printing photos or buying cheap goods. Probably not enough margin in it to feed the hungry animal that a retail store is with rents, business rates and staff wages to pay. The lack of knowledge of the young sales staff was a factor, but they also had hardly any stock of upper end Canon or Nikon gear. It marked out their market segment.

It is a shame a much scaled down company focussed on the flagship stores could not have been constructed.

[Black Pearl]

It is a great shame. Jessops obviously did have some good stores and some great staff in some of them. Our local store was not an example of that unfortunately and although it was busy on Saturdays this was mainly people printing photos or buying cheap goods. Probably not enough margin in it to feed the hungry animal that a retail store is with rents, business rates and staff wages to pay. The lack of knowledge of the young sales staff was a factor, but they also had hardly any stock of upper end Canon or Nikon gear. It marked out their market segment.

It is a shame a much scaled down company focussed on the flagship stores could not have been constructed.

To be honest thats what I thought/hoped might happen. We had dozens of top end lenses and pro bodies, been transferring them all out today.

Canon - at least two of each:
135mm f2 - crackin' bit of glass
24mm f1.4
24mm tilt shift - cool lens
50mm f1.2 L and the 85mm f1.2 L - awesome bits of glass
300mm
400mm
All three flavours of the current 70-200's

All in there was over 400 items of Canon stock put through the system, over 200 bits of Nikon and hundreds of Sony, Panasonic, Fuji, Samsung, Olympus, Tamron...you name it. Bags! Lost count of the numbers.

[Dave Humphries]

...... and possibly bounces back again

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21970531

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/je...s-reopen-21657

Good luck,

[Colin Southern]

...... and possibly bounces back again

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-21970531

http://www.ephotozine.com/article/je...s-reopen-21657

Good luck,

Fingers crossed.

At least they're making changes -- I see many businesses that are starting to go under - so they get a cash injection, but don't change anything else -- and the net result is that they still go under, but owing even more money ...

[Wayland]

The original business model set up by Alan Jessop was best prices, low overheads. As time went on it attracted knowledgeable staff and a reputation for good service.

I helped set up and run the tenth branch back in those days which was a small showroom with a big warehouse on a back street of Birmingham.

After the buyout there was a headlong rush to open flashy new branches in high street locations which was doomed from the start in my opinion. The Internet simply nailed down the coffin lid. (I got out years ago by the way.)

Hopefully the new business will resemble the original in which case it has a chance for the future.

If not...