Jessops: An Era Ending? (Jessops)

Member Name: danieljamesphoto

Product:	Jessops
Date:	07/02/09 (32 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: face to face experts, huge range of products

Disadvantages: not cheap when you look at online prices

--- History ---

Seemingly one of few photography shops that are still in the high street, Jessops was founded in 1935 as a specialist photographic shop. The shop offers pretty much anything and everything the budding photographer, be they amateur or professional, can want.

Many of the branches have labs within them that offer one hour or even 30 minute printing turnaround times. (source: Wikipedia)

--- Products ---

From digital SLR cameras to compacts and batteries Jessops is a one-stop for photographers. The shops also sell a range digital photo printers and camcorders to really appeal to a vast range of photography/videography enthusiasts. Some of the larger shops also stock studio equipment including flash guns and backgrounds, making this a perfect place to go with any problems or desperate last-minute required equipment.

The staff are, from my experience, very friendly and always willing to help. The products are right there in front of you and the staff are quite happy for you to try out various lenses, cameras etc which, as a professional photographer, is brilliant for me as when i look for any new lenses i can try them out first at Jessops.

--- Prices ---

Unfortunately owing to the boom in online retailers the Jessops high street stores are disappearing at a fast rate with the company seeming to focus more on its online store and printing services.

It is also a shame to say that a good chunk of what you find in there you can get cheaper online and i hate to admit that i do frequently just use the shop to test out lenses before trying to find them cheaper elsewhere.

Having said that when there was only one of a camcorder that i wanted left (the display model) the manager did knock 10% off instantly which was very good on an expensive item and the best thing was that i didn't have to wait for delivery. I was able to try it there and then, take it with me and know where to take it if i had problems and even speak to someone about the problem, face to face, which is something that is sadly lost with the internet.

--- Summary ---

A sad sight to see Jessops is unfortunately closing more and more stores it seems and that personal touch of going into the shop and speaking face to face with people that know exactly what they're talking about, is being lost with the internet price wars.

Summary: Jessops is moving more and more online which is sad to see such a useful shop go.