Jessops

[TonyGribben]

With the impending closure of the Jessops Photographic stores we are left with very little option but to buy camera equipment on line.It seems to me that a lot of these retail outlets are based in Hong Kong does anybody know how safe it is to deal wit these people.
Thanks
Tony

[Answerprancer]

There are still plenty of 'little' places out there who are probably wringing their hands in delight! Long may they prosper.

[jno]

I remember Jessops of Leicester - that was their only shop; I had to go there to buy a camera long ago.

This will raise a problem, though: will people want to buy a camera unseen when there are no big shops like Jessops to show them what it looks like? As with most of the nation's bookstores, Jessops have long acted as a shop window for the likes of Amazon: people check out products in their shop then buy them online. Will that still work?

[Answerprancer]

I remember when Jessops first started out, they were much more like a counter based 'proper' shop. It was when they tried to be like the Apple Shop when it all went wrong afaic. Long live the single/double store outlets, they are usually enthusiasts and much nicer to deal with despite being a tiny bit more expensive.

[shoota]

London Camera Exchange?

[Hopkirk]

Do people still buy cameras?

[Gromit]

I think what has done for Jessops is that everyone has a camera/video camera in their pocket - their smartphone. Sales of small cameras have plummeted in the last five years. Kodak is bankrupt.
Jessops was never the place to go for decent kit. Independent shops are still around.

[snags]

Not from Jessops...

[craft1948]

I bought my last camera from Comet..............but they've now gone.

[Answerprancer]

Yes Hopkirk, though I admit, my last one came from Gumtree.
Mr Cad (in Croydon) is one amazing camera shop.

[TonyGribben]

I know you can save a lot of money on line, I have recently looking at upgrading my DSLR kit and have found I could save over £500 buying online, but I much prefer to go and speak to a "real person" and get advice plus you could always go back with any problems you might have and get help.

[Hopkirk]

Those that do probably get them from Amazon.

They are cheaper as you don't pay corporation tax on your purchase.

[Answerprancer]

Sadly 'Jacobs' camera shops also seem to have gone down the dunny which was a shame because I found them to be much better than Jessops. I bought a nice 50mm prime from them last year. They planted an outlet right next door to Jessops where I live, most bizarre.

[shoota]

Don't know where you are TG but this might help: http://www.localstore.co.uk/stores/75604/london-camera-exchange/

[Answerprancer]

Then of course there's Park Cameras in Sussex.

[Answerprancer]

...I feel like a kid in a toy shop when I go there!

[TonyGribben]

Thanks shoota I am Manchester based and yes we have got a London Camera Exchange in Manchester but and it might just be me I never found the staff very helpful, in fact one sales assistant once asked me if perhaps my age might be against me buying a DSLR.I was 55 at the time , went and purchased one elsewhere and have upgraded 3 times since.

[Ann]

We remember the very first Jessops store in Leicester where they originated, sad day to think they are going to close. Are they closing ALL shops - the Leicester branch has just moved into a new store?

[TonyGribben]

Ann86 according to the news tonight the first stores could close as early as tommorrow and the future is not looking good for the rest of the chain.

[shoota]

Somebody might buy 'em - you never know 'til the shutters close.
I got a mint Nikon FE2 from Jessop Kingston many years ago. Still got it, still going strong.

[Mass_Hysteria]

There's nobody big enough out there to buy them shoota, normally when a big company goes into administration they announce they are in discussions with x y z. There has been nothing.
The saddest thing is that all the personal expertise that Jessops staff had will be gone and you don't get that on the internet.