Jessops fall out with pentax

Went in to a Jessop’s shop and I got a new travel bag I had a look around the shop and didn’t see any Pentax gear in there? when taking to the gentleman behind the counter, when I asked him why have they not got any Pentax cameras or gear in? He told me that Jessop’s had fell out with Pentax and refused to put any Pentax stuff in there shops? Does any one know why he told me that it was because Pentax prices are too much and Jessop’s wanted Pentax to lower them?
but i do see they have Pentax on there website??????

I wouldn't rely on what one salespeerson told you - it didn't matter what he said and he might have sold you something else....

Jessops are still doing Pentax offers and also had cameras in their Manchester store the other day, including the Q.

There has certainly been a marked absence of Pentax gear in my local Jessops since they had the half price lenses a few months ago. The range of lenses on the website has dropped markedly as well, so whatever the reason they are definitely scaling back on Pentax equipment.

Last time I was in they didn't have any DSLR's in the shop, just a Q and some compacts. The only lens in the empty Pentax display case was an ex-display 17-70mm which has been there a while.

It's a pity considering the Tesco Clubard deal which makes for some bargains, if you can find anything to buy, that is.

I have not seen any Pentax items in the branches local to me.

Sorry I forgot Newcastle had the Q, but no longer.

I went to the Brighton and Bromley Jessops branches over the last few days to look at a Q (the only camera shops in those towns). I was told that head office had recalled all their stocks. Brighton could get me one to look at in a few days (no good) and at Bromley it would take four weeks. I think the original rumour might well be true. In the Brighton branch there was another customer who also wanted to look at a Q. I am seriously tempted as the price is now good but I am concerned about the low light performance so I wanted to actually get my hands on one before ordering. It should be a lot easier.

I thought they'd dropped Pentax a couple of years ago?

This is the slightly puzzling thing. They did, and then they started stocking it again.

Perhaps its the size of individual shops, The only one I could get to when I wanted to look at a K-5 was in York. All they said was they didn't have one but I could order one online. When I said I wanted to look first they directed me to the large Tesco store said they might have one. Could be just a space thing they'll stock the ones they know will sell.

Annie - it doesn't augur well when a "specialist" camera retailer points you in the direction of a supermarket, does it?

Pentax Q doesn't take up much space.

The story I heard was exactly the opposite, that Pentax refused to supply Jessops. This was at a time when it looked as though Jessops were about to go down the tubes.

Jessops dropped Pentax some time ago, and only restarted selling the brand quite recently.

A few years ago, Jessops had a management buy-out. Shortly afterwards, the economy went downhill, and Jessops has been losing money ever since (but read on). They sacked many of their knowledgeable staff and replaced them with people who knew less than nothing about anything.

It appears (from reading an abbreviated version of their accounts) that in the period ended January 2011 they sold some property worth in the region of £120 to £160 million. This gave them a profit for that year, but without it they would have continued to make losses, and, of course, they can't keep selling properties.

Jessops has two problems, apart from poor staff. First, the economy, which is a problem for everybody, and second the Internet. It just isn't easy to be a retailer any more when people can buy stuff more cheaply on-line.

At the moment Jessops are banking on an economic upturn. If it doesn't come soon, expect them to go the way of Woollies and Peacocks and Blacks.

As for why they won't stock Pentax, well here's a clue. Their trade creditors at January 2011 amounted to £49 million. Their stock amounted to £22 million (just under a month's sales). So Jessops are using their creditors to fund their business generally, not just the stock. They're not alone in doing that, of course, but who wants to fund a business that's losing money?

It's not inconceivable that they have demanded that smaller suppliers, like Pentax, offer three or even more months credit, and it's also not inconceivable that Pentax have refused. Obviously Jessops can't do the same with Canon and Nikon, but they can with the smaller players.

Personally, I would prefer to buy from people who know the product, and who bend over backwards to provide a good service.

G

That is very true I was taken aback at the suggestion and didnt go to the supermarket as I had been in just before Christmas and had set of all the alarms round the camera's when I brushed against the stand.I'd only wandered there out of boredom while my daughter was shopping.
I prefer to buy from people who know the product as well but due to my circumstances I don't often get to the big towns. I admit when I finally bought my K-5 I bought it from Amazon.