Jessops UK. Good or bad?

[Leif]

Originally Posted by rogerscoth

Before Jessops opened shops nationwide I believe they were very good. Customers (including me - (in the 1970's I think!)) would travel many miles to Leicester to what was in effect a trade counter on the end of a warehouse with no goods on display, because their prices were very competitive.

I remember that. I queued for ages in the cold with my father, so that we could buy some B&W paper and some chemicals, at prices much lower than Youngs Cameras. That was when the shop was on a corner near the magazine.

[robski]

Once in a while you will find a member of staff who is a photographer and will offer good advice. However, 9 times out of 10 you here complete rubbish told to customers. You would think that with their buying power they could offer better deals than the high st indepenents. In my area they seem to have stopped doing the odd and sods. Their DSLR stuff is over priced and in most cases the only item they have is Demo item. Packaging is damaged or loss.

If a shop does not have an item in stock and has to order it then you might as well order it yourself on-line.

The only way I can see Jessops going is down.

[yelvertoft]

I use them for odds and sods, small accessories etc, if my local LCE doesn't have the item in stock, which is unfortunately all too often. Would never buy bigger purchases from Jessops. OK for convenience, otherwise don't bother.

[ollieholmes]

I only now use them for odds and sods. Im lucky that the manager of my local store actualy knows what he is taking about, i make sure he serves me in the shop on the odd visit i make.

bit in the independent today about Jessops announcing reduced profits due to inadequate stocks of popular DSLRs pre Christmas. Did Canon deliberately underproduce 350 to clear way for 400 and Nikon ditto D50 to clear for D40?

[Lee]

Having used various branches of Jessops over a number of years,knowledge and service down,but the online service is quick efficent and hassle-free.

[nirofo]

I remember a few years back going in to Jessops Sheffield branch to trade in a 28-75 and 60-300 SP Tamron lenses in part exchange for a Nikon 75-300 zoom costing nearly £500, the lenses were in mint condition. The guy in Jessops said they could only offer me £15 in part exchange for both lenses because they had fungus inside, (they didn't). I'm afraid I said something rude to the assistant, walked out of the shop and into another photographic shop further up the road. The assistant there was extremely helpfull, checked my lenses, remarked they were in almost mint condition and offered me £90 against the Nikon lens. The Nikon lens was already £30 cheaper than at Jessops, the trade was done and I happily walked out of the shop with my new Nikon lens, I still have it, it produces excellent images.

Needless to say I will never use Jessops for any serious transaction again.

nirofo.

[Roy C]

Whenever I have been in to the local branch they seem more interested in selling a £80 point and shoot camera to someone than say a £1000 lens.

[Epona]

Looking at the forum threads and the contradicting comments that are placed in general, it is easy to see that no one is perfect and knows everything. To me you should research something thoroughly yourself before you buy if your serious about what you do, taking stock of all that is said, and then make your own mind up. Jessops staff like any other store staff are only human. Yes some are good and some are not so good, just like the customer. They have to put up with a lot of flack from both sides of the counter. You normally find that alot of problems stem from the higher levels of management. It is the same whatever your own field of hobby/profession is. I get alot of rubbish spoken to me in equestrian circles, I also get some good. You have to sort the wheat from the chaff. I think alot more people today have got into cameras as a secondary asset to their pc, and are not from the old school SLR days. Ten years ago only a fraction of homes had computers and were on the internet and digital cameras were hardly heard of. Now with the explosion of digital and everyone joining the band wagon, the market is more competitive and the previous specialist shops are having to give way to trends to keep up. I know ten years ago I probably wouldn't have been able to go to Currys to buy a camera if I'd wanted to. This is where I believe the problem lies. Oh! and by the way I don't work in a shop I just try to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. No pun intended.

[anthony.rowell]

I use to do same as Roger did i use to go there from Nottingham most of my gear is from them until digital and it is mostly from warehouseexpress who,s service is very very good ,but i think Jessop cameras will match price !