Jessops camera chain in administration

[KLaban]

There are exceptions. Price fixing is still legal for some markets including newspapers. Thankfully photographic equipment isn't one of them.

[Craig Lamson]

There are exceptions. Price fixing is still legal for some markets including newspapers. Thankfully photographic equipment isn't one of them.

Except you can buy the same newspaper at different price points, at least where I live in the US.  Even the PUBLISHER sells them at different price points.

[jeremypayne]

You really think Rob has changed more than the world?

The world has changed, of course it has.

The fallacy and delusion is the notion that the past was idyllic and the present is a fall from grace.

[KLaban]

The fallacy and delusion is the notion that the past was idyllic and the present is a fall from grace.

Couldn't agree more.

But I still can't understand your contention that Rob has changed more than the world.

[jeremypayne]

... I still can't understand your contention that Rob has changed more than the world.

I think I mispoke on that.

The world has changed a lot, but not in a uni-directional "it used to be a good place and it isn't anymore" fashion.

What hasn't changed is human nature.

[stamper]

In Glasgow  - Scotland - on Sauchiehall street Jessops had three stores at one time - and another two elsewhere in the city - within a five minute walk. That is is now two stores. Briefly there was a Jacob's store in between them. Comet's store - now deceased - was nearby. Apart from that one small independent about a mile away is all that is left that I know about. Sad times.

[Chairman Bill]

Jessops was offering 0% interest over 12 months on purchases above a certain amount. Which is pretty good. Except that you can currently get up to 17 months at 0% on a credit card, and pay less for your purchase on-line. Difficult to compete in today's economic climate.

[stamper]

Queues. I was in one in a Jessops store. The person at the front was wanting to buy a camera. The salesman started by telling him about how the camera worked and then went on to give him a discourse on photography in general. I got served by someone else and when I departed the salesman was still prattling on. Time wasters not wanting to buy but telling the sales persons how much more they knew about photography than them was a problem. I have spent thousands in the store as well as the internet. They are needed and will be missed.

[Rob C]

Queues. I was in one in a Jessops store. The person at the front was wanting to buy a camera. The salesman started by telling him about how the camera worked and then went on to give him a discourse on photography in general. I got served by someone else and when I departed the salesman was still prattling on. Time wasters not wanting to buy but telling the sales persons how much more they knew about photography than them was a problem. I have spent thousands in the store as well as the internet. They are needed and will be missed.

Yep, and others like them too.

Rob C

[Rob C]

Yeah, they've got a term for that.  It's called price fixing.  It's illegal.

That may well be the case today, but it didn't use to be.

Strange, though, for a system that was apparently so flawed, many more shops existed than today, many more people had jobs in them and all the pros or amateurs who wanted stuff had it. As I say, strange.

But bless you, it's my problem: I have this Golden Syndrome, don't you know? Even, more strange, I lived the time when Golden existed. But what would I know, it's only experience, after all, of both then and now.

Rob C

[Jim Pascoe]

That may well be the case today, but it didn't use to be.

Strange, though, for a system that was apparently so flawed, many more shops existed than today, many more people had jobs in them and all the pros or amateurs who wanted stuff had it. As I say, strange.

But bless you, it's my problem: I have this Golden Syndrome, don't you know? Even, more strange, I lived the time when Golden existed. But what would I know, it's only experience, after all, of both then and now.

Rob C

It's called progress Rob.  Competition is the important thing here - open up to competition and everything will be better.  The problem is that price becomes the key indicator and service goes out of the window in many cases.  I suppose it will work out in the end, but it's just different than it used to be.

Jim

[KLaban]

I've only once visited a Jessops or Jacobs or any other high street photographic chain store, so I'll take a wild guess and say I won't be missing them.

[Slobodan Blagojevic]

...open up to competition and everything will be better...

Cheaper, yes. Better? Not necessarily.

[stamper]

Visited the two Jessops stores in Glasgow today. Busy. A women asked  a salesperson which stores are closing? None was the reply. The press are stirring things up! Visited Curry's who sell cameras and very little in store. The only independent left - the Merchant city, formerly Quiggs, - had second hand stock, which is it's prime business but little new stock. All other independents - as far as I know - gone.

[Rob C]

Visited the two Jessops stores in Glasgow today. Busy. A women asked  a salesperson which stores are closing? None was the reply. The press are stirring things up! Visited Curry's who sell cameras and very little in store. The only independent left - the Merchant city, formerly Quiggs, - had second hand stock, which is it's prime business but little new stock. All other independents - as far as I know - gone.

Geez, that's depressing.

Franks at the Saltmarket was where I bought my Rollei TLR; I bought my first Exakta in Williamsons at Charing Cross (Leica specialist in the day) and and my second at a small Exakta specialist down London Road, somewhere, but I think they vanished too along with the cameras. My local favourite was David Deayton in Paisley, who was a Leica, Nikon and 'Blad dealer. Knew everything and helped me enormously. Gone.

You see how good lowest prices are? Maybe one day people will buy their Ferraris in boxes too. Online.

;-)

Rob C

[stamper]

Williamsons closed about 10 years ago. I am guessing that Frank's is the same shop as Merchant city across the road from the Tron theatre?

[KLaban]

The specialist 'bricks and mortar retailers' I deal with seem to be doing very well. Take the Procentre for instance, the UK's largest rental outlet and Hasselblad, Profoto and Broncolor specialists. Great service and advice and they'll usually match or beat the online 'box shifters'.

Having said that I buy a ton of everyday popular product online at rock-bottom prices; why wouldn't I? I also buy studio ceramics and ethnic collectables online for a fraction of the price that the galleries charge; again why wouldn't I?

Horses for courses.

[Rhossydd]

A women asked  a salesperson which stores are closing? None was the reply. The press are stirring things up!

According to the BBC News less than half an hour ago all Jessops stores have shut tonight for good.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20992125

Not a good start to the new year for a lot of people who worked there then

[Rob C]

Williamsons closed about 10 years ago. I am guessing that Frank's is the same shop as Merchant city across the road from the Tron theatre?

Franks. If you're facing towards the river from the north side, Franks used to be more or less on a corner on your left. There was another camera dealer kind of diagonally across the road from Franks. Somewhere between Argyle Street and towards the Stockwell Bridge. I have an absolute blank about the Tron Theatre. I do remember the late Goldbergs in Candleriggs: did a lot of 'fashion' for them too.

I haven't been in that area for years - since Merchant City was created. Well, we did go there one night with my bro'n'lo and his wife to some restaurant for dinner. I think there was a Versace boutique nearby where his wife used to shop now and again. But it was dark, cold and right outside the restaurant a bunch of guys was sitting on the pavement holding bottles... everything gets ruined in the end, however the City Fathers try to tart it up.

Rob C

 

[Rob C]

The specialist 'bricks and mortar retailers' I deal with seem to be doing very well. Take the Procentre for instance, the UK's largest rental outlet and Hasselblad, Profoto and Broncolor specialists. Great service and advice and they'll usually match or beat the online 'box shifters'.

Having said that I buy a ton of everyday popular product online at rock-bottom prices; why wouldn't I? I also buy studio ceramics and ethnic collectables online for a fraction of the price that the galleries charge; again why wouldn't I?

Horses for courses.

Hi Keith,

I looked at the Pro Centre's site some couple of weeks ago, when 500C fever was heavy upon me. Their prices are sky-high, but I guess they carry a great guarantee! They certainly lowered my temperature.

;-)

Rob C