Poor old Jessops

[laserblazer]

We used to have two in Worcester and I would spend a happy hour in them, chatting with the staff and looking at the gear. I even bought stuff. They've never managed to compete online and it's a safe bet that a lot of people have handled the goods in their stores and then bought online from http://www.cameragadgetsgizmos.com.

 

It will still be sad day if and when they go. More jobs lost and another High Street shop charity shop or card shop.

[Arthur]

My local Jessops is in a rather unfortunate location - between JJB Sports/GameStation and opposite Clintons.

 

I can't even remember the last time I went into a Jessops.

Edited January 9, 2013 by Arthur

[GeeHubb]

I was in the Ipswich branch before Christmas and bought my daughter a lens filter that she wanted. Glad I didn't go for the gift token option as I don't think they are honouring them. Even more pleased that I didn't shell out for a days photography course for her! Still, a great shame. Won't be long before we have no specialist stores on our high streets!

[MatthewL]

Ours local one has only been open a few years, bought both my cameras from them as I wanted something there and then.

 

Hope they don't close as my next door neighbour is the store manager, shame to see him end up with our a job, he does a good job there.

[localzuk]

They failed to keep up, much like other street retailers. Their prices were too high, and the quality of staff knowledge plummeted in recent years. Add in the fact that they re-did their shops and got rid of a lot of their stock so things have to be ordered in and people simply had no real reason to go to them.

 

Getting rid of the second hand stuff was the end for me to be honest.

[MatthewL]

Must admit they were pricey but I wanted to see it before I got it and have a play. Our local store wasn't bad as the manager was a photographer and a lot of his staff were student age who were doing photography and he had trained them up well. Found it better than some of our local photography stores that had been on the go for years but now closed.

 

Did me fine and they had best part of a grand out me in the last year or so.

[unixman_again]

We used to have two Jessops in Birmingham. One close years ago, but the other is always busy and most of the staff know what they are talking about. They have always given me sound advice, including once showing me the door when I was thinking about updating one of my cameras. (They said to stick with it, as it is far superior to any of the then current offerings.)

 

I think most average snappers are content to use a phone camera and put up with terrible quality. I'm not talking megapixels here, rather poor framing, poor optics and lots of blur. Holding a phone still is very difficult. Photos these days are treated as disposable, which I find sad. We have photos taken at the dawn of photography (1840s) but how many of today's photos will still be around in 170 years?

 

As most average snappers are happy with phone pictures, the sale of cameras will decrease. On the other hand, cameras these days are disposable. Even your high end DSLRs are disposable IMO, so there should be an increase in camera sales, which keeps camera shops going. I mostly use a Ricoh KR5 which I bought with my first ever pay cheque in 1979. I also regularly use a Pentax LX of 1980 vintage and an Exakta Varex VX of 1952 vintage. How many of today's DSLRs will still be around in 30-60 years time? Not many I suspect.

 

It will be sad if Jessops closes. Here in Brum we've already lost Sherwoods and Jacobs, and if Jessops goes, there will be no shops run by proper camera buffs.

[Oaktech]

I would spend a happy hour in them, chatting with the staff and looking at the gear.

 

And there is your problem. Last time I went into Jessops (about 5 years ago) they had nothing of interest and staff who had no idea what they were talking about.

 

I walked through our local shopping centre before christmas and was frankly suprised they were still there!

 

I'm sorry for the loss of jobs, but as a company I feel they have nothing to offer the market place.

 

It's worth mentioning that our local pro dealer Robert White Photographic, have recently bought a new industrial unit to cope with demand!

[Pottsey]

Not really that surprised, was more surprised at Play.com shutting down the same day. I used to do almost all my online shopping with them.

[Edu-IT]

Me too. A shame really.

[LeMarchand]

Not really that surprised, was more surprised at Play.com shutting down the same day. I used to do almost all my online shopping with them.

 

Our local Jessops is normally busy, but not somewhere I frequent.

 

Play, on the other hand, I used to use a lot (but started to find Amazon cheaper). However, a couple of Christmases ago Mme LeMarchand ordered me the complete "Due South" set (R1) and got a set of "Blondie" DVDs instead (the old US character, not Debbie Harry). They refused to correct the error until she had returned the incorrect ones at her expense (which she did without telling me, as it was a present). Have steered clear ever since, so stuff 'em.

[hardtailstar]

I think the issue here is asking how the charity/card/cheap shops stay afloat!

 

In my town center as one shop closes a charity/card/cheap shop opens.

[rich_tech]

I am not suprised by this, sadly this is to be expected I thought given the nature of camera phones fulfilling most needs for the average person.

 

SLR cameras and more specialised stuff will always be around but not a retailer it seems with decent photography people now, but at the same time I cannot help but think that this seems to be a bit of a "declining market" for the "generic" camera in general.

[sonofsanta]

Not really that surprised, was more surprised at Play.com shutting down the same day. I used to do almost all my online shopping with them.

 

Oh man, didn't know about that! That is gutting, I spent four figure sums with them back in the day (day of having disposable cash and no financial commitments, that is). Although to be fair, the reason I stopped buying from them was because the market place was such a PITA and got in the way of actual Play-sold items; if I wanted to buy from a marketplace seller, I'd just go to eBay.

 

re: Jessops - sad, but the only surprise is how long it took in this recession

[laserblazer]

I am not suprised by this, sadly this is to be expected I thought given the nature of camera phones fulfilling most needs for the average person.

 

SLR cameras and more specialised stuff will always be around but not a retailer it seems with decent photography people now, but at the same time I cannot help but think that this seems to be a bit of a "declining market" for the "generic" camera in general.

 

I think you are right. I was a member of a DV Forum and up to a few years ago, it was very active. It has now closed down. The sites that are still around cater mainly for the pros. I've no idea how so many card shops can survive in one town but charity shops have very low overheads, their profit margins are as good as it gets and there is no longer any stigma about shopping there. I recently needed a dark suit for a funeral and I got a lovely Piere Cardin one from Cancer Relief, with two pairs of trousers, for £25. 100% wool and very comfortable.

Edited January 10, 2013 by laserblazer

[CHR1S]

I brought my last camera from Jessops.

 

The body and two lenses was way cheaper than any online store at the time (which surprised me) and it was in stock.

 

RE- Play

 

Haven't used them for years, poor returns, long delivery times - just use Amazon.

Seems they feel that since their loophole was closed actually improving their business and evolving was the last thing they wanted to do, its easier to just shut down and give up.

[mats]

Play & Amazon are as bad as each other aren't they? Both doing their damdest to avoid paying the taxes they should (because the government will just get it from us another way).

 

At least Jessops employed people and added to the local enconomy.

[LeMarchand]

Play & Amazon are as bad as each other aren't they? Both doing their damdest to avoid paying the taxes they should

 

In that sense, yes. I've always had much better service from Amazon, though.

[Guest salan]

It's worth mentioning that our local pro dealer Robert White Photographic, have recently bought a new industrial unit to cope with demand!

I use them! mail order though but they provide great service.

Our local jessops I think will go. I noticed that the shop suddenly last year had a 'lot more space in it'

In fact the number of cameras on the shelf would not fill one storage box!

Alan

[AMLinington]

I use them! mail order though but they provide great service.

Our local jessops I think will go. I noticed that the shop suddenly last year had a 'lot more space in it'

In fact the number of cameras on the shelf would not fill one storage box!

Alan

 

Indeed and the staff showed no knowledge - they have somehow broken my mums digital camera - she took it in to them because she was having a problem changing the resolution of her images (it was set to maximum) and they fiddled with some settings and now all her photos now come out blurry (I ended up having to do the resolution myself) and when I went in to ask them if they could print portrait-sized prints they wanted £80 EACH for a slightly-smaller-than-A3 print and told me I would need to order a minimum of 6 copies!!!! I contacted a photographer friend who sent the order away with her own portrait orders and 3 copies cost me £30... There was little to no stock in the store and accessories were grossly overpriced. I can't say I'm surprised. I AM surprised about Play.com though - the marketplace has been one of the biggest turnoffs for me to shopping with Play as it doesnt seem as rigorous as EBay in terms of dealing with issues and I would almost always purchase the item that was for sale by Play rather than a marketplace seller. That being said, though, I have managed to find some great items really cheap on the marketplace so it's not all bad.

[X-13]

I would almost always purchase the item that was for sale by Play rather than a marketplace seller.

 

Same here. I've even paid a little bit more to get it from Play rather than someone else. [but that's more to do with the fact some of them seem dodgy.]

[Oaktech]

Same here. I've even paid a little bit more to get it from Play rather than someone else. [but that's more to do with the fact some of them seem dodgy.]

 

Likewise.

 

I've had a fake sandisk microSD card from a play marketplace seller. I got money back and the trader disappeared days later, but it was a hassle I'd rather not have

[Paid_Peanuts]

Shame about Jessops! I got serveral items from them including my D800 and 70-200VR2. With quidco discount made them the cheapest around at the time.

Sad to see them go, will be keeping an eye on the website to see if there will be anything worth having in the clearance, doubtful though - never is.

[HaleStorm]

I bought all my cameras from them over the years, starting with an Olympus 35mm compact when they first starting doing the APS film

 

Then i've bought several digital compacts over the years and not too long ago a Sony DSLR from them as "clearence open box stock" which was still actually sealed in it box from the factory

 

I will be sad to see them go as its one of the very few actual camera shops in sheffield and the ONLY one in meadowhall

[MYK-IT]

I have been looking at a couple of Canon L Series lens over Christmas at Jessops as well...maybe there will be a clearance sale?

Of course, I am sorry for the many staff that are/may be losing their jobs.

I always try and buy equipment from my local independent camera store although not the cheapest place.