Jessops poor service

[silversnapper1]

If my memory serves me correctly, HSBC actually bailed Jessops out by taking a large chunk of the business over in bonds or such like.

[wavemachine]

I have used Jessops twice an have to say I was not impressed, to me they are to cameras what halfords are to cars and computers to PC World. The last time I ordered a Tamron lens online which they said was available for store collection in 7 days, I waited 7 days to pick it up and was told they had that lens in stock for the past fortnight so I could of picked it up the same day.

If you want passion and knowledge, avoid the chain stores and go for the independents! It goes without saying that their prices will be a bit higher than the chains, but I bet their customer retention rate is much higher.

I agree but not necessarily on price, when I got my 7D I went to my local camera shop with a breakdown of what I wanted and a break down of the prices I would get if I ordered it from Park Cameras (cheapest at the time) they price matched the lot and a couple of items came out cheaper so I saved a few quid. When I go in there now they always give me a discount but then again I have had a 350D, 40D, 7D, SX120IS, a camcorder and various lenses off them all well priced so I am worth retaining.

When I did my prices for the 7D I ensured I got the prices from a UK company that did not sell grey imports to be fair BTW.

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by Balenciaga

Thanks Phil,

thats interesting to hear..I dont know Jacobs but I do know Mifsuds in Devon, I grew up down there, it used to be a strange little shop devoted to mainly photography but with some sidelines as well..records and fishing gear in fact I bought my very first record there way way back..Now they are a much bigger shop still owned and run by the family and are entirely about photography. So I will give them a call..

Bal

Mifsuds are very good on photographic stuff and provide a wonderful service. I brought my Nikon 400mm F2.8 AIS lens from them, and they even contacted me a day after delivery to see if everything was OK. I brought my Nikon 24-70mm F2.8 from Jessops, but only because it was almost the same price everywhere.

[OldBoy]

Originally Posted by silversnapper1

If my memory serves me correctly, HSBC actually bailed Jessops out by taking a large chunk of the business over in bonds or such like.

You are correct and part of the deal was to close some of their shops.

[dankenney2010]

must just be all the other stores around the uk, but the jessops in Leicester city centre have got excellent staff. the manager at the store is team chevrolets photographer in the BTCC, plus the other staf that they have there know the ins and outs of how to get the best out of the cameras

[Mr Bump]

That's a very good point that Dan makes - it would be unfair to tar every Jessops branch with the same brush. Some do have helpful knowledgeable staff but, unfortunately, rather too often the service falls down.

It was fascinating to learn from Bal that Mifsuds once sold fishing equipment and records in addition to photographic goods. That could only happen in Brixham . I sometime go there, even though they are 130 miles from me, simply because it is a great 'old-fashioned' (I mean that in the nicest way) photographic dealers with not only a wide range of new equipment but also cabinets full of wonderful classic gear. There's lots to see and the staff are pleasant and extremely knowledgeable. Its about as different from a Jessops branch as you can get.

Bal, to add to the recommendations you already have I can add Clifton Cameras. Not easy to get to but they have an excellent web site and give great service.

Bump

[pburness]

Originally Posted by dankenney2010

must just be all the other stores around the uk, but the jessops in Leicester city centre have got excellent staff. the manager at the store is team chevrolets photographer in the BTCC, plus the other staf that they have there know the ins and outs of how to get the best out of the cameras

I think Jessops originally stemmed from Leicester, they had a massive (by photography standards) outlet their at one time, so it's probably a legacy from that era.

Phil

[KeithT]

Jessops are not the first place I would turn to for purchasing any photographic equipment. I hated them from the word go, when they tried their hardest to,( and were successful in 90% of doing so), squeeze out all the little people that had given excellent service for many years. The Jessops store here on the Isle of Wight is typical of all the Jessops stores, with no window display, and racks of own-brand bags facing you when you walk in the door. They are rubbish (my own personal view which may not be shared by all). If I was the OP I would ask for my money back if you have paid them and go on to Amazon website and get it from there. I know this isn't helping the small guy, but thanks to Jessops not many of those exist. LCE still have a decent window display in their store at Winchester and if I had to, (thank God we still have a successful Island independent photographic company on the Island) I would rather go to Winchester than to visit Jessops not 15 minutes from my front door. Rant over.

[Balenciaga]

Originally Posted by Mr Bump

That's a very good point that Dan makes - it would be unfair to tar every Jessops branch with the same brush. Some do have helpful knowledgeable staff but, unfortunately, rather too often the service falls down.

It was fascinating to learn from Bal that Mifsuds once sold fishing equipment and records in addition to photographic goods. That could only happen in Brixham . I sometime go there, even though they are 130 miles from me, simply because it is a great 'old-fashioned' (I mean that in the nicest way) photographic dealers with not only a wide range of new equipment but also cabinets full of wonderful classic gear. There's lots to see and the staff are pleasant and extremely knowledgeable. Its about as different from a Jessops branch as you can get.

Bal, to add to the recommendations you already have I can add Clifton Cameras. Not easy to get to but they have an excellent web site and give great service.

Bump

How funny you should put it like that, yes it could only happen in Brixham couldn't it. Actually They used to sell all sorts of things in their little original shop up a steep tiny side street and it was always a fascinating assortment of teasures it seemed. They used to sell pretty much everything,Cameras, fishing gear, little pond nets for the holiday makers, Lilos, Darts, Table Tennis bats and balls and had a selection of pen knives that we as small boys thought the height of sophistication..I have many happy memories of Mifsuds from my childhood, for me it was an adventure everytime you went there..Now they have moved to much bigger premises on one of the main streets in Brixham and I think only cover photography but I dont doubt their considerable knowledge and expertise, god knows they've been in the business long enough..Always a nice family as well so I was heartened to hear that it is still family owned and run..long may it continue.

Thanks for the heads up re Clifton Cameras, Im guessing they are in or near Bristol, another wonderful city..

For now I shall bid faretheewell to Jessops and use Mifsuds or some such other family run business..Why I didnt stick to my "Never use a Large Chain group of shops" habit god alone knows..its all about websites and what we are led to believe will be an easy process..As it turned out it could'nt have been further from the truth..

Thanks to one and all for their comments and recomendations..

Bal

[James Blonde]

Jessops are a mixed bag.

I've had an excellent experience of them in Slough, with skilled, knowledgable and enthusiastic staff who knew their stuff and were more than happy for you to play and experiment with the kit!

However as a company, they are indeed what PC World, Comet, Halfords, etc are to the world. They have a very limited range that you can mostly get cheaper elsewhere, and with better service. Unfortunately I was given a Jessops voucher for christmas (despite very specifically asking to NOT get Jessops vouchers!) as a result of which I thought I was in the process of ordering a Manfrotto joystick head from them, however after being told there would be a 28 day wait, I'm well past that now, and have heard nothing. (I must call them!) There is sod all else I want from Jessops as their range is so limited and the voucher can't be used online (I mean why on earth not, in this day and age?!) and they're not the cheapest (The joystick head oddly seemed to be a very good price! Hence it was the only thing I considered ordering).

Whilst LCE might be better, I just find them expensive, horribly snobby and customer unfriendly!