Jessops in trouble?

Personally, I have had mixed experiences of Jessops, but when buying high ticket items at some stores they have been excellent.

It is sad that another street presence has gone, I prefer the personal approach and nearly bought a DA17-70 in Richmond only to find the lens was faulty. I hesitated buying online only because it's more hassle to return faulty equipment - the only ever time I've had to return was to Watford...

On the other hand, for Jessops' continued survival was a slap in the face of the creditors and employees of Jacobs...

Just reading topics on talkphotography they are all praising Panamoz - true they might get good service now that DigitalRev is not flavour of the month - but buying overseas just makes the situation here in the UK much, much worse.

Support your local camera shops - last one in Richmond gone now

tecso voucher exchange will no longer work....

What makes you say they've stopped accepting vouchers? Has that been announced?

Only I would expect them to continue to trade as normal (and accept their vouchers) until the receiver either sells the company as a going concern or pulls the plug.

If you've read otherwise somewhere please point me at the relevant site! It's particularly relevant to me because a kind relative gave me just such a gift voucher for xmas...

It was only two or three days ago that they published a list of stores that were due to close after the most recent review took place a few months ago. Still left about 240-260 stores nationally though from what i can remember. They must have known they wee going into admin when they released this list...why bother in the first place...or was that the final straw? Maybe the cull wasn't severe enough for the bank.

It is a shame though because there are going to be very few 'camera' shops left anywhere. Many camera departments in the likes of JL, PCW and other department stores but not really your true enthusiasts places.

Well there goes the only camera shop left within 25 miles unless you count one 'independent' who believes Camera is spelt N I K O N - and yes - both of the Jessops within driving distance of me stocked Pentax to some degree.

I have to say that with the exception of one bad experience in their Penzance branch a few years ago that was entirely down to one clearly hung over youth - I have always found their staff to be keen and helpful even if they were not always particularly knowledgeable about Pentax.

Jessops may not be perfect but they were just about all we had left for those of us who enjoy browsing.

I for one hope that they can salvage a going concern out of the ashes and my thoughts go out to the potentially 2,500 staff who may now be out of work - especially those who have spent years building up and sharing knowledge that they are unlikely to find useful to them in today's job market.

Carl

They have announced it - see here link

Thanks.

...and 'oh bother' (or words to that effect).

I won't miss them either, but they haven't gone under becuase they bought up a bunch of local camera shops, they gone under because of a general shift towards online sales. i.e the local camera shops would have gone under anyway, had Jessops bought them up or not.

Plus as said the point and shoot market is declining rapidly as camera phones get better at taking pics.

They weren't trading as normal in the Bayswater branch an hour ago - I overheard an assistant refusing a customer a refund because 'we have gone into administration - we're in receivership, there are no refunds now'.

That goes along with the link that fritzthedog kindly supplied.

This seems to be the problem every time one of these larger companies goes into administration. The management and accountants are fully aware of what is going to happen, but they still accept orders and payment right up to the death, then refuse to give any refunds despite not fulfilling orders. Haven't been stung this time, I hope, but have been before and it's a disgrace.

They might not be accepting gift vouchers but apparently they're still selling them!

http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/jessops-keeps-worthless-vouchers-sale-170741302...


http://www.jessops.com/gift-cards

John

Seems I'm out £50. But I'll live.

I feel more sorry for the staff. Especially if they end up not getting paid for days worked since last payday.

I noticed that too. Cheeky monkey, that administrator...

Ours closed at the weekend. Last camera shop for twenty miles. I know they weren't big favourites with members of this forum but the lads in ours were enthusiastic and knew their stuff. I bought several cameras from them over the years (obviously not my Pentax!) I'll miss them and I feel sorry for the cheery guys who worked there.