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Chat Area => General Discussion Area => Topic started by: Lizzie_Zoom on 09 January 2013, 18:42:35

Title: Jessops camera chain in administration
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 09 January 2013, 18:42:35
So reality has caught up with another high street chain.

Jessops has gone into administration :( :(
Title: Re: Jessops camera chain in administration
Post by: TheBoy on 09 January 2013, 18:45:23
Been on the cards for ages. Not really news, I suspect they've only lasted this long through creative accounting.


I noticed that the media haven't really picked up on Play to stop selling products, as I consider that a bigger story.
Title: Re: Jessops camera chain in administration
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 09 January 2013, 18:49:38
Been on the cards for ages. Not really news, I suspect they've only lasted this long through creative accounting.


I noticed that the media haven't really picked up on Play to stop selling products, as I consider that a bigger story.

Maybe TB, but it is yet another specialist chain of  shops to go.  Soon it will only be the supermarkets or the online guys who will be offering these goods with none of the specialist knowledge and back up. Shame :(
Title: Re: Jessops camera chain in administration
Post by: TheBoy on 09 January 2013, 18:54:46
Been on the cards for ages. Not really news, I suspect they've only lasted this long through creative accounting.


I noticed that the media haven't really picked up on Play to stop selling products, as I consider that a bigger story.

Maybe TB, but it is yet another specialist chain of  shops to go.  Soon it will only be the supermarkets or the online guys who will be offering these goods with none of the specialist knowledge and back up. Shame :(
Jessops weren't specialists. Just because they mostly only sold cameras, that does not make them a specialist ;)
Title: Re: Jessops camera chain in administration
Post by: Kevin Wood on 09 January 2013, 19:17:05
Yep, very rare to find anyone who knows about cameras there.

Not a surprise, either, as the number of manufacturers represented on their shelves (willing to take a punt on giving them stock) has been falling for a while.

Plenty of competition online in that sector, and if you don't add any value by knowing your onions...
Title: Re: Jessops camera chain in administration
Post by: STMO123 on 09 January 2013, 19:29:10
Yep, very rare to find anyone who knows about cameras there.

Not a surprise, either, as the number of manufacturers represented on their shelves (willing to take a punt on giving them stock) has been falling for a while.

Plenty of competition online in that sector, and if you don't add any value by knowing your onions...
On a similar note, I went to PC World to pick up a wireless printer on Monday. All the 'tech guys' were about 70 with beer bellies. Hardly confidence inspiring.
Title: Re: Jessops camera chain in administration
Post by: ozzycat on 09 January 2013, 21:42:24
there will be nobody left soon :( :( :(
Title: Re: Jessops camera chain in administration
Post by: Turk on 09 January 2013, 22:51:00

Jessops weren't specialists. Just because they mostly only sold cameras, that does not make them a specialist ;)

True, although my mate bought his last camera from Jessops and he has nothing but praise for the salesman. He got exactly the camera he needed even though he'd initially gone in to buy a higher priced camera.
The aftersales service over the last year and a half has apparently been excellent too.  :y
Title: Re: Jessops camera chain in administration
Post by: Nickbat on 09 January 2013, 22:52:23
Yep, very rare to find anyone who knows about cameras there.

Not a surprise, either, as the number of manufacturers represented on their shelves (willing to take a punt on giving them stock) has been falling for a while.

Plenty of competition online in that sector, and if you don't add any value by knowing your onions...
On a similar note, I went to PC World to pick up a wireless printer on Monday. All the 'tech guys' were about 70 with beer bellies. Hardly confidence inspiring.

You had something in common then, Steve?  ;) ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Jessops camera chain in administration
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 10 January 2013, 12:28:39

Jessops weren't specialists. Just because they mostly only sold cameras, that does not make them a specialist ;)

True, although my mate bought his last camera from Jessops and he has nothing but praise for the salesman. He got exactly the camera he needed even though he'd initially gone in to buy a higher priced camera.
The aftersales service over the last year and a half has apparently been excellent too.  :y

That is the key to a good "specialist" outlet.  How many of those salesmen will you find in the major chains like PC World?  From my experience, and many business customers of theirs who I knew, I can safely say "Zero"! ::) ::)  That is because they have a vast range to sell across many product types and can never be master of any.  They also are under severe pressure to sell warranties so will not spend as much time explaining a product, or alternatives, as that salesman in Jessops did. ::) :(
Title: Re: Jessops camera chain in administration
Post by: tunnie on 10 January 2013, 12:52:34
Like Comet, people would just go to them to have a look at the actual product & have a play with it.

Then they would go home and order it on amazon  ::)
Title: Re: Jessops camera chain in administration
Post by: Chris_H on 10 January 2013, 12:57:17
The last time I bought in Jessops the guy in there was very experienced.  He was the only one who knew what wetting agent was and had first-hand experience of developing and printing.  Only a couple of years ago too.

Sadly I chose and bought my last camera online.
Title: Re: Jessops camera chain in administration
Post by: Marks DTM Calib on 10 January 2013, 13:32:22
I was watching to see how long it would take for the Jessops story to develop, I decided it would be 24 hours.

We also lost Jacobs who were a camera outlet last year to
Title: Re: Jessops camera chain in administration
Post by: Varche on 10 January 2013, 13:41:02
What will the High Street of the future actually look like? Coffee shops, charity shops? Maybe an amusement acrcade?
Title: Re: Jessops camera chain in administration
Post by: Lizzie_Zoom on 10 January 2013, 13:43:04
What will the High Street of the future actually look like? Coffee shops, charity shops? Maybe an amusement acrcade?

Probably far more residential property. ;)

The High Street, I very much regret, is a form of sales outlet whose heyday, in the 1950/60s has now passed.

In the 21st century the market is demanding a completely new face to retailing, with on-line shopping the main force within the next decade, along with the shopping malls just about keeping pace.

Note though how Morrison's profits were down? It has been put down to a failure to embrace  online business!  This is the way it is going ;)
Title: Re: Jessops camera chain in administration
Post by: razzo on 10 January 2013, 13:44:03
Jessops stuff was always well over priced, nearly bought a high end SLR from them years ago but it was £800 cheaper online & they would not price match
Title: Re: Jessops camera chain in administration
Post by: cleggy on 10 January 2013, 13:48:47
Jessops were really good years ago when I was into photography as a hobby, I got my SLR's from them, lenses, a Durst enlarger and all the paraphernalia very helpful and knowledgeable at reasonable prices even if it mean't a trip down the M1 to Leicester.  :y

Times change and either keep up or go under, it is a shame but it is the way of things.

Nowadays find what you want via the internet re specifications, find a stockist to see, feel and touch, back to the net for the cheapest .
In the case of photography the world has changed, phone or tablet snap, modify online and post,  or print, job done :(
Title: Re: Jessops camera chain in administration
Post by: Kevin Wood on 10 January 2013, 17:03:22
Yep, back in the days of film and darkrooms and when there were relatively few shops they used to be good. Only recall the Norwich shop which I used to frequent when visiting relatives there.

Then they grew very fast and became a box-shifting and printing outlet only. :(
Title: Re: Jessops camera chain in administration
Post by: TheBoy on 10 January 2013, 17:48:48
I bought my last camera from Jessops. Only because they price matched, after negotiation, and I needed it that day for my hols the next day - not that I told them that bit!

The sales girl did not know her arse from her elbow.