Jessops gone into administration...

[toppstuff]

paranoid airbag said:

toppstuff said:

Noooo ! Say it is'nt so !

Life will never be the same without the Laminated Book of Dreams.

To catch the tears of joy!

I think we have a duty to share this little treasure..

Argos gag from about 40s in...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ggOa9aSG-Ow

[burwoodman]

In my mind the biggest problem for retailers like Jessops- They sell branded goods, so most people don't care where it comes from. Google Canon xyz camera and 10 stores/prices come up-pick the cheapest in most cases-even John Lewis online are cheaper as are Amazon etc. A serious pro isn't buying from Jessops are they. I use my phone even though I have a DSLR

[clonmult]

Mojocvh said:

Sad news indeed. It's all very well online buying but where do you buy your chemicals etc?

Chemicals and paper can just as easily be bought on-line - even though film is awesome, its a niche product these days

[burwoodman]

In my mind the biggest problem for retailers like Jessops- They sell branded goods, so most people don't care where it comes from. Google Canon xyz camera and 10 stores/prices come up-pick the cheapest in most cases-even John Lewis online are cheaper as are Amazon etc. A serious pro isn't buying from Jessops are they. I use my phone even though I have a DSLR

[PJLarge]

I went in to the local one just before Christmas to buy a point and shoot compact. When I finally got the attention of the sales assistant his first priority was to tell me how good the Jessops extended warranty was. I declined and said I wanted to know more about the camera, he went on to tell me approximately nothing about the camera I didn't already know, couldn't answer any of my questions, told me the warranty really was what I wanted, that their warranty covered way more than the manufacturers warranty, it would probably break if I didn't take their warranty, their warranty was the best thing since sliced bread and by the way, would I like the warranty. I told him again I had come to buy a camera, not a warranty. Again, he went on and on and on about the extended warranty. After a few minutes, I'd had enough, so I told him that I didn't appreciate the hard sell on the warranty - I never take them out. I left and went to John Lewis, where the assistant was super helpful, answered all my questions, showed me a review of the camera on dpreview.com and generally went out of his way to help. I bought from JL.

Jessops have had it coming for a while in my opinion, I'd much rather use an independent for proper photographic stuff such as printing or developing anyway. I'll not miss them.

[Johnnytheboy]

MadMullah said:

but regardless of it all - the digital camera did kill it off.

I'd say the final nail in the coffin was the camera phone.

But I'm surprised they lasted this long.

[Eric Mc]

Grenoble said:

Mermaid said:

The day JL announce losses will be the end of retail as we know it.

Indeed. Along with the day DFS don't have a sale on, and when WHSmiths don't offer a chocolate bar when buying a newspaper.

Or offer a newswpaper when buying a chocolate bar.

[hornet]

Newc said:

And at some point Amazon is going to open a display-only showroom for the few remaining items where you really do want to hold them before ordering, and you’ll order online in the showroom for home delivery as normal. That’ll be free for Amazon to operate because they’ll be able to charge manufacturers for shelf space. (“Hi. Panasonic ? Amazon here. Would you like to be our preferred TV vendor in our see-it-and-touch-it showrooms ? Great. That’ll be 2 gazillion pounds please. Oh, and a load of free TVs. Thanks.”)

Final nail in the Argos coffin if they do, surely?

[Podie]

Grenoble said:

JL are awesome. Not always the cheapest, but excellent value and good service.

Ever tried to get them to fulfil their "price promise"...?

Despite about 20 attempts, on everything from toys to electricals to homeware, I've handed in receipts, printed web pages, reservations details, shown web pages on an iPhone and they have NEVER price matched...

[a340driver]

XG332 said:

I worked for Jessops for 2 years and its no surprise to me. It is a shame though as a lot of great hardworking people will undoubtedly looking for new jobs.

Jessops have been going through a big revamp of the company and had spent alot of money refitting the shops. The one I worked in (Redditch) reopened just before Christmas.

The problem is cameras and hard wear have little profit in them hence why prices are similar everywhere. Plus to that all the running costs it makes buying from the shop too expensive.
The money was made in photos, photo gifts, developing, warranties and accessories.
When I left we had rediculously high targets for warranties, I felt I was being told to pressure people into them and told the area manager how I felt about this. Because of this I would often sell the least warranties but always had happy returning customers coming to see me. Being a photographer myself, I always took my time with them and honestly appropriated customers coming back into store to excitedly show me their photos and usually buy more.
But the bosses want profit before happy customers.
Shame

Excuse the spelling and grammar as I'm on my phone and don't care

Edited by XG332 on Wednesday 9th January 17:01

Sorry to hear this. Hope you find some work again soon.

[clonmult]

Johnnytheboy said:

MadMullah said:

but regardless of it all - the digital camera did kill it off.

I'd say the final nail in the coffin was the camera phone.

But I'm surprised they lasted this long.

Its the camera phone that is killing off the compact camera (which was always the volume seller) - and the dedicated camera makers know it, and don't know how to cope.

Samsung have come out with the almost idiotically overpriced and underspecced (as a camera) Galaxy Camera, Canon announced the N series (which has got the basics wrong).

[Megaflow]

Sadly it doesn't surprise me, if the example of Peterborough is anything to go by. 10-12 years ago Jessops were out on the high street, fantastic shop, a bit rough round the edges, huge counter with most stuff in cabinents behind it, but, curcially knowledgeable staff who were actually into photography.

I bought my first camera from the and a lot of film and accessories.

Then they bought another camera chain which had a shop in the shopping centre, so for a while we had two, but ultimately the indoor shop was revamped, run by clueless staff and anything interesting or useful has been displaced by cameras you can buy on line, and then they closed the decent one.

[Prof Beard]

PJLarge said:

I went in to the local one just before Christmas to buy a point and shoot compact. When I finally got the attention of the sales assistant his first priority was to tell me how good the Jessops extended warranty was. I declined and said I wanted to know more about the camera, he went on to tell me approximately nothing about the camera I didn't already know, couldn't answer any of my questions, told me the warranty really was what I wanted, that their warranty covered way more than the manufacturers warranty, it would probably break if I didn't take their warranty, their warranty was the best thing since sliced bread and by the way, would I like the warranty. I told him again I had come to buy a camera, not a warranty. Again, he went on and on and on about the extended warranty. After a few minutes, I'd had enough, so I told him that I didn't appreciate the hard sell on the warranty - I never take them out. I left and went to John Lewis, where the assistant was super helpful, answered all my questions, showed me a review of the camera on dpreview.com and generally went out of his way to help. I bought from JL.

Jessops have had it coming for a while in my opinion, I'd much rather use an independent for proper photographic stuff such as printing or developing anyway. I'll not miss them.

The big problem for a lot of retailers - including independents - is if they provide good service and advice lots of people use them as guidance sources but still buy the chosen item off the net

[Adrian W]

Podie said:

Grenoble said:

JL are awesome. Not always the cheapest, but excellent value and good service.

Ever tried to get them to fulfil their "price promise"...?

Despite about 20 attempts, on everything from toys to electricals to homeware, I've handed in receipts, printed web pages, reservations details, shown web pages on an iPhone and they have NEVER price matched...

I have a very posh kettle from them, 1st one failed in two weeks, 2nd one failed after two years, as soon as they realised it was out of warranty they didn't want to know, they would not send it away for repair or tell me who the service company were. Worst customer service ever, I will never deal with JL again

[Grenoble]

Podie said:

Ever tried to get them to fulfil their "price promise"...?

Despite about 20 attempts, on everything from toys to electricals to homeware, I've handed in receipts, printed web pages, reservations details, shown web pages on an iPhone and they have NEVER price matched...

Yes, several times.

[StevieBee]

What did they do wrong? IMO, they went 'mainstream'.

Keen 'hobbyiest' photographers love their kit. Nothing saddens one as much as empty space in their photo bag which is why we are forever buying filters, cables, tripod attachments, lenses, cases to protect cases....and so on. Buying a camera is just the start. For those buying a point and shoot camera...they buy it and, well, that is it.

This is why, in Chelmsford, a city that that boasts a Jessops and an indy camera shop, the indy shop is always brimming with credit card wielding photo nerds like me and Jessops, which isn't.

Online is good but there are plenty of photographers out there who like to browse, touch, feel, try and buy there and then.

The indy shop also does a raring trade in second hand gear. So, while you might save £15 on something online, you can take in your old Pentax and trade it in for a £30.

[Podie]

Grenoble said:

Podie said:

Ever tried to get them to fulfil their "price promise"...?

Despite about 20 attempts, on everything from toys to electricals to homeware, I've handed in receipts, printed web pages, reservations details, shown web pages on an iPhone and they have NEVER price matched...

Yes, several times.

Something of a running joke in our office (we're close to JL Regent St) - and thus far none of us have managed to get them to honour it. Perhaps it's just that store? Worth quite a few beers now

[Grenoble]

I imagine London has all manner of "offers" so have to follow their rules to the letter, which are:

If you see or buy a product online and find it cheaper with a high street competitor (whether or not they also sell online), as long as their service conditions are comparable, then we’ll match that price for you or refund the difference. Comparable service conditions include factors such as delivery charges and timescales, and fitting or installation services (including accreditation of fitters, scope of workmanship, materials used and timescales).

Please note though, that we won’t refund the difference in price paid if you could have bought the product more cheaply with an online-only retailer: examples of these include Dixons.co.uk, Amazon and Play.com ,who sell only through their websites or mail order and not via high street shops. We also don’t match competitors who are in administration or closing down.

I have also managed to get a "compromise price" - or cables thrown in to close the gap. I'd rather buy from them anyway so it's more about a price I am happy with than the lowest possible. I don't mind paying a mild premium for customer service, if you buy cheap, you buy twice...

[sparkythecat]

Adrian W said:

I have a very posh kettle from them, 1st one failed in two weeks, 2nd one failed after two years, as soon as they realised it was out of warranty they didn't want to know, they would not send it away for repair or tell me who the service company were. Worst customer service ever, I will never deal with JL again

You can but a new kettle in any of the supermarkets for less than a tenner.

Just stick a name label on it, like Ophelia or Arabella and Hey Presto ! a nice new posh kettle.

[Sir Bagalot]

Grenoble said:

Mermaid said:

The day JL announce losses will be the end of retail as we know it.

Indeed. Along with the day DFS don't have a sale on, and when WHSmiths don't offer a chocolate bar when buying a newspaper.

People still buy newspapers?