Have you Purchased from Jessops UK????

Here's a dilemma ... if you have a choice (and I accept that not everybody does, but the UK is almost bound to be better than the US for example) do you prefer online stores or bricks-and-mortar?

Personally, for something like a camera or a lens I think there is no substitute for actually handling the thing before you buy it. I looked at the 350D against the Nikon D50 and D70 in my local Jessops, and I'm very glad I did. Buying from a 'real' shop might cost a bit more - though in my case it didn't, fortunately - but I think that it's worth paying a bit extra for the ability to 'try before you buy'. I know some people would go and test the cameras in a high street shop, and then buy from the cheapest online retailer, but I always think that's a little bit unethical or hypocritical.

No offense intended - this is just my personal view and you're welcome to disagree. What do others think?

I got my 30D and 17-85 from Jessops without any problems (savings online wasn't significant enough for me to bother with the hassle over delivery). Plus I had the luxury of holding and having a play in the shop, otherwise I would have gone for the 350D and been disappointed by the smallness, weight and smaller lcd etc....

Both boxes came out of the storeroom with the Canon security tape still intact, so I was happy with that. I would have refused had the tape been broken).

That being said, I immediately has sensor dust, but it was easy enough to get rid of with a blower.

Warehouse Express take your money and dont call you if the item is out of stock (on the 2 occasions I used them anyhow).

AJ Purdy rang me just to tell me the next morning (free) delivery was ok - superb !!

For any uk guys not familiar with this.....

http://www.cameraprice​buster.co.uk/

Jessops used to have an excellent reputation of a shop where the staff understood photography and photographers, alas, that seems to have changed, and the staff are now no better than those at Dixons or many other 'big chain' outlets.

In addition they also have the reputation of being (with very few exceptions) the dearest place to buy equipment from.

However, at least from the pricing point of view, some indication of change has appeared. Jessops now match internet prices. The staff don't volunteer the information, but if you ask they will!!

Regarding the handling and packaging of items by staff, I can't see them being any different to other shops, except for my previously mentioned low knowledge level which could mean fingerprints where fingers shouldn't have been placed etc.

Hi all,this definately confirms my suspitions and makes me glad I went for the refund,
All FIVE of the cameras I was shown including the three that were "new" in this morning had NO Canon security seals of any kind on them!!!!!!!!.

Thanks guys I'm feeling more reassured by the minute

Kindest regards
TYS

If a store has opened a package and allowed a potential buyer handle it in anyway shape or form the items becomes 2nd hand. (this is usually stated as display model) but even so MUST offer a discount on the model *and were talking more than a £10 offer!"

Speaking of which I have seen looads of jessops with perspex 10cm shelfs holding 1 item (lens, body) I just wonder how many times things have been knocked off or blown off when you get a gush of wind through the store!

I agree with you Stewart, and for the reasons you've stated. An advantage of digital is you can take some test shots on your CF card and check them at home to see exactly what you're getting. Add in the advice and presumably easier handling of a problem, (and the price-matching of warehouseexpress if you ask ) and I'll be sticking with my local dealer.

As with any retail chain, this perception of good service/knowledge is based on individuals rather than the a reflection on the chain as a whole. The assistant who served me gave me the impression he knew what he was talking about, and was able to answer my questions.

As for the security tape, I'm fairly sure the box had tape on as I wasn't too fussed about inspecting the contents (yes, the assistant offered to let me) since I saw it had intact tape. I'm fairly suspicious these days as I've bought something in the past with a broken tape, only to find someone had been in the box and knicked the charger for another customer.

My experience of buying cameras from Jessops:
I bought a Pentax Super A in about 1989. I took it home, took some shots, pressed the depth of field preview lever and the camera made an odd crunching sound. Then I pressed the shutter release and nothing happened. I wound on and pressed the shutter release - it took a photo. I wound on, pressed the depth of field preview - crunch - pressed the shutter release - nothing. Something was definitely wrong. I took it back and had a replacement camera. I had that a week and the battery went flat. I purchased a new battery. The next week that too was flat. I took the camera back and Jessops refused to give me a refund or to replace it even though it was still under the 28 days statutory guarantee. Seems there's a slight loophole in the law that means that you have to get a refund each time you take something back. Replacements nullify the statutory guarantee. Anyway, I made them send it off to Pentax for a repair. It came back "fixed" but even so the battery life was lousy - 3 months tops wheras the Pentax ME would get years from a battery.

My other experiences revolve around digital cameras. I bought a Nikon 885 and had to return it due to hot pixels on the sensor. I bought a couple of other cameras each of which were faulty and had to be returned. In the end I gave up trying to buy cameras from Jessops - cameras just weren't their forte. I went across the road and bought my cameras in Photo Center instead. I never had a duffer from them. None of the stuff I bought from Jessops ever worked. As the Americans say "go figure".

For TYS. Picture of my box, with Canon sticker across the opening. This was intact when I bought it, so I had no qualms about buying...

hate jessops waited 3 months for my 350D got told 5 times that it was in when it wosnt never again go to my local independent will macth jessop on price and 12 months money off . jessops do price match so all i do is go on the internet find the cheep est price jessops match and then go to my local and thell match that

Pete-30D wrote:
For TYS. Picture of my box, with Canon sticker across the opening. This was intact when I bought it, so I had no qualms about buying...

Yep definitely convinced I've done the right thing taking it back,none of the boxes I looked at had a seal like this,the sticker was stuck on the front of the box with nothing sealing the box at all
makes you wonder doesn't it.
Kindest regards
TYS

The Lakeside store refuses to match internet prices. They will only match local competitors which would be Dixons and Photo Optix. It's useless, Dixons don't sell lens and Photo Optix stay with rock solid RRP

Hmm my experience with Jessops was rather good; purchased the 5D / 24-105 lens combo that at the time was (is) cheaper than everyone else.Anyway, on an initial enquiry I rang the shop to check for availability but they didnt have one in stock - however they took my number and said they would ring about to try and source it. That afternoon they rang back and said they managed to get a camera from another store about 100 miles away (Leeds to Newcastle) and said I could pick it up at any time if I was still interested.

So I did.

Mark

OK, last night I ordered 2 items from their online store.
Manfrotto 190CL Tripod + 390RC Head @£99.99
Manfrotto 679 Monopod @ £32.99

using the 10% discount code: CPB10PC
I saved £13.30 which came to a total of £119.68 inc. P&P which was cheaper than any eBay stores.