Jessops

[Littlepeahead]

Aside from the job losses which is sad, anyone who has left memory cards or discs in store will find their photos and memory cards have been destroyed.

I was in Jessops on Wednesday and they were still taking orders and booking courses and selling vouchers on which people will get no refunds.

[DJ123]

It is kind of photo related ;)

[keith_d]

I was in Jessops on Wednesday and they were still taking orders and booking courses and selling vouchers on which people will get no refunds.

That's not unusual. In many cases the staff in the stores don't know if/when the receivers will be called in.

[LewSpeight]

I was a full time worker there up until 3pm this afternoon when we got an unexpected email saying to shut the shutters and go home.
Nobody knew, we was still selling gift cards up until Wednesday and got told we'd be 'okay' after the news of administration on Wednesday.

[dkid]

I was a full time worker there up until 3pm this afternoon when we got an unexpected email saying to shut the shutters and go home.
Nobody knew, we was still selling gift cards up until Wednesday and got told we'd be 'okay' after the news of administration on Wednesday.

Sorry to hear this :(

[SIII]

+1 Redundancy is sh*te, sorry to hear.

[andrewsmith]

Sorry to here that mate

[Littlepeahead]

That's a horrible way to treat staff. Jessops have never been my favourite camera shop mostly because the one near me seemed to employ idiots with poor customer service skills and no interest in photography. Don't take that personally Lew, I know you are a keen photographer and clearly know your stuff. Plus we have a very good independent shop in town. But I relied on Jessops for photo paper and other bits and pieces. But Jessops seemed expensive for high end kit especially compared to grey market goods.

[LewSpeight]

I know exactly what you're saying LPH, I'm not gunna lie, I know we was expensive, as did all the employees.

Which was your local store? I know the store I worked at we made sure we give out professional and helpful advice and customer service more than try and strong arm people into sales.

Thanks for all the kind words.

[mattSV]

Not good news, always had excellent service from our local store.

[Bri w]

Sad news. Used the one in Middlesbrough a fair bit. Not always cheap but they had two very knowledgeable staff that were a great help.

[savage86]

It's amazing they lasted this long with the amount of internet photo and camera sites now. One near my work was closed a few months ago when they downsized a bit.

[LewSpeight]

It's amazing they lasted this long with the amount of internet photo and camera sites now. One near my work was closed a few months ago when they downsized a bit.

To be fair, the Jessops photo service was in some ways so much better than the online stuff. Just nobody knew we did stuff like that, so many times i got a reply of 'oh you do stuff like that?'.

The store i was in turned around so much since ive been working there, whether its because i was there and whoever was before me sucked or what, but when i started i was expecting that particular store to close within months. And within 6/7 months of me working there it was ranked no.1 store in the company and averaged position 5/6 after that. Good, considering theres stores in london and a huge store in birmingham and a total of around 140 stores i believe.

I dont get it, we literally smashed every target we got given and did everything asked by head office and the STILL drop off the radar :smt102

[Littlepeahead]

My local was Chelmsford and I also used Moorgate where you would wait for ages to get served and it was very hit and miss if they had what you wanted in stock. The local place, Cameraworld, wins lots of customer awards and sells used kit so you can part ex and upgrade.

[LewSpeight]

Ah that explains quite a lot then. If other stores we're being as crap as that then no wonder we disappeared

[Sir Trev]

The Wycombe branch was always full of people - hopefully not doing as Martin Lewis Smith suggested (go look in a shop to decide then buy online from somewhere cheaper). When I was a student I was a frequent visitor to the Brighton shop - great 35mm colour processing (was a few years a go) with a free film. Got most of my accessories from there over the years before it all got stolen and with no indie shops in town I know my wife bought my Chrimbo pressie compact from there after we spent 20 mintues trying them for size with a helpful assistant. Sad times.

[LewSpeight]

Im gunna stick up for our customer service, because god they were strict with it. So many criteria to meet and if we failed on any one of those points three times we were out. Constantly being trained on the stuff we sell and literally had to follow the motto 'advice for life'.
But again, alot of people would just come in to feel the cameras to then go and order a grey import online.

[Amadeus]

Really sorry to hear that some of you have lost your jobs. It sounds that with your positive attitude you should be able to get another one ok, though it might be more of a struggle to get one which allows you to work at your hobby. Fingers crossed for you.

I bought a couple of cameras from what was at the time my local branch of Jessops and the staff were outstanding - spent ages going through the options with me and explaining everything (I'm not a photographer).
Interestingly enough, one of the cameras that I bought was a Canon compact for my wife's birthday. When I got the credit card bill, it said £3.15 instead of £315. I assumed it was a mistake by Barclaycard so paid the £3.15 and thought they'd correct it in the next bill. They didn't. After a few months I looked at the chitty I'd signed and that showed that I'd signed for £3.15 which I'd not noticed at the time. I felt a little bad about it but thought it was a bit late to go back and complain.
A few years later, the LCD screen died and we assumed that it would be uneconomical to fix it but I phoned Canon just to get an idea of a fix price and they told me that there had been a recall for that camera and they'd fix it free of charge, tho I had to pay a fixed price of £5 for return postage (they sent me a packet to send it back in. Still working well now! I still can't take a decent pic tho.

[Amadeus]

I now make a habit of buying from the place where I get a demo from, even thought I could probably save money buying elsewhere. Some things I still buy online (tho am currently avoiding Amazon) but hifi/tv/cinema equipment I buy from a shop once I've had a demo. Guess it depends on your ethics.

[LewSpeight]

Really sorry to hear that some of you have lost your jobs. It sounds that with your positive attitude you should be able to get another one ok, though it might be more of a struggle to get one which allows you to work at your hobby. Fingers crossed for you.

I bought a couple of cameras from what was at the time my local branch of Jessops and the staff were outstanding - spent ages going through the options with me and explaining everything (I'm not a photographer).
Interestingly enough, one of the cameras that I bought was a Canon compact for my wife's birthday. When I got the credit card bill, it said £3.15 instead of £315. I assumed it was a mistake by Barclaycard so paid the £3.15 and thought they'd correct it in the next bill. They didn't. After a few months I looked at the chitty I'd signed and that showed that I'd signed for £3.15 which I'd not noticed at the time. I felt a little bad about it but thought it was a bit late to go back and complain.
A few years later, the LCD screen died and we assumed that it would be uneconomical to fix it but I phoned Canon just to get an idea of a fix price and they told me that there had been a recall for that camera and they'd fix it free of charge, tho I had to pay a fixed price of £5 for return postage (they sent me a packet to send it back in. Still working well now! I still can't take a decent pic tho.

Yeh i've got an interview for another job on Monday, no one can ever say there arent jobs around.

Thanks for your comments!

[sniff]

I work for a company who are currently holding £75k worth of goods to be sent to them. Hopeing they let me go find the container to have a rumage to see what I can borrow(steal) for myself. Hoping they have a few 200 400mm F2 or F4 lenes.

[keith_d]

I work for a company who are currently holding £75k worth of goods to be sent to them. Hopeing they let me go find the container to have a rumage to see what I can borrow(steal) for myself. Hoping they have a few 200 400mm F2 or F4 lenes.

I'd imagine they'll be going back to the supplier. If I had an order being shipped to Jessops I'd be on the phone getting it returned to my depot ASAP unless Jessops had already paid for the goods.

Of course if your company is stuck with a new Nikon 300mm f2.8 they need to offload at a discount price I might have to make a phone call to my bank manager.

Keith

[sniff]

I'd imagine they'll be going back to the supplier. If I had an order being shipped to Jessops I'd be on the phone getting it returned to my depot ASAP unless Jessops had already paid for the goods.

Of course if your company is stuck with a new Nikon 300mm f2.8 they need to offload at a discount price I might have to make a phone call to my bank manager.

Keith
First of all the liquidators(PWC) have to agree to pay us. Currently standing at around £40k then they can have the container. But I dare say this will have to be returned to who ever shipped the goods. Be it Canon, Nikon or who ever. But if they refuse then the goods are ours by law. But (another one) they will sell to the highest bidder. Cant get my grubby hands on anything. Have'nt seen itinery so cant say what in the big metal box.

[Brettus]

Sorry to hear about your predicament LewSpeight, I knew the administration would affect people but it properly puts it into perspective when it is someone you "know"

FWIW I've always found Jessops in my local area to be good shops (Crewe, Chester etc) the staff were always nice and not pushy as I'd first expected. Helpful when I was wondering about stuff and knowledgable (if I'm being honest, more than I gave them credit for) it's just they couldn't realistically be competitive against online (which doesn't provide the help and advice).

It's a shame, and the end of an era for high street camera shops, mainly independents left now or the electrical supermarkets like currys where you can buy pretty much anything but seem to have a good chance of knowing more about it than the sales staff (I might be wrong again but I suspect this is due to the sheer range of products, not enough specialisation/focus)

I'm kinda hoping for some bargains in the fallout from this but I suspect it won't happen.

Best of luck for the interview LewSpeight!

[LewSpeight]

Thanks for the comment Brettus!
I too agree with the 'lack of knowledge' of currys etc, will all come out if I get the job (yes, the interview is for the currys in white rose centre). I didn't really wanna go back into retail but I need income so I guess it'll do.
Will be nice to compare both stores though!
And as for sales, there aren't any, at all. I've gotta go into Jessops next week (final payed week) to box every little piece of stock up, they sent out 60 massive plastic boxes to pack everything into. Everything from big end cameras to little spare wrist straps and memory cards, oh the joys.

[Brettus]

Oh dear, that doesn't sound like a nice end to your time there :-( oh well, can't change it.
Fingers still crossed for the interview and I am fully prepared to be proven wrong re my assumptions. And even if I'm right, there will be ONE well informed camera person on their staff ;-)
Thanks for the info re no sales, least I know, rather than waiting and thinking I missed some blowout deal heh.

[Stuuk1]

I work for a company who are currently holding £75k worth of goods to be sent to them. Hopeing they let me go find the container to have a rumage to see what I can borrow(steal) for myself. Hoping they have a few 200 400mm F2 or F4 lenes.

I shall also visit the bank manager for a new Canon 400mm...

[andrewsmith]

First of all the liquidators(PWC) have to agree to pay us. Currently standing at around £40k then they can have the container. But I dare say this will have to be returned to who ever shipped the goods. Be it Canon, Nikon or who ever. But if they refuse then the goods are ours by law. But (another one) they will sell to the highest bidder. Cant get my grubby hands on anything. Have'nt seen itinery so cant say what in the big metal box.

I'll have a camera and lense please ;)

[SIII]

Good luck on yer interview. Interview them! Works for me.

[LewSpeight]

Been delayed till Friday cos've the weather. Just found out I'll be going up against my old colleagues.. Any advice anybody!?

[Littlepeahead]

Shoot them.

Failing that, talk about your enthusiasm for the products and how you want to ensure every customer leaves the store with a positive impression of that store and the brand overall.

Say you are excited by new technology. Have a look at Curry's corporate website, quote something from their figures.

And say that people can buy online but nothing beats great face to face customer service. Holding the product with someone to explain what it does whether they know a little or a lot about what they are after.

[LewSpeight]

Shoot them.

Failing that, talk about your enthusiasm for the products and how you want to ensure every customer leaves the store with a positive impression of that store and the brand overall.

Say you are excited by new technology. Have a look at Curry's corporate website, quote something from their figures.

And say that people can buy online but nothing beats great face to face customer service. Holding the product with someone to explain what it does whether they know a little or a lot about what they are after.

Great tips. Thank you LPH!
How do you mean quote something from their figures?

[Littlepeahead]

And you could call Curry's PR department and ask if they could email you the last couple of press releases. Be very very nice on the phone, thank them for their trouble, explain you have an interview and want a bit of current company news in preparation. If you're lucky you'll get someone nice who will help. Then use this info to show your interviewer you've made an effort. For example Curry's might have signed an exclusive distribution deal with a TV maker so the only place one can buy xxx type of TV is at Curry's. It shows you are keen and willing to do a bit extra.

And don't slate Jessops. Say they were a great employer. Bitterness is very offputting. Instead show how all their customer service training for you could benefit a new employer.

[Littlepeahead]

See if they quote anything on line on their website or in the news about something positive such as 500% increase on 3D TVs sold compared to same time last year.

[LewSpeight]

Wow very thankful. I'm going to do my research, but how do I bring that up? Ya know, how to come across as not licking their a*se and actually useful to them?

[Littlepeahead]

Maybe something like this...

http://www.techwatch.co.uk/2012/12/03/currys-and-pc-world-roll-out-google-zones/

It's an interesting idea. Does the branch near you have one? Go have a look. It's about showing the interviewer that you are keen, switched on and interested. You won't be standing around looking at your feet. When I go to Currys I want someone to come over and ask if I need help. If I do they should know the products. And not let me leave the store without not only the product but anything else I might need. Leads, batteries, case, memory card but no hard sell.

[DJ123]

Maybe something like this...

http://www.techwatch.co.uk/2012/12/03/currys-and-pc-world-roll-out-google-zones/

It's an interesting idea. Does the branch near you have one? Go have a look. It's about showing the interviewer that you are keen, switched on and interested. You won't be standing around looking at your feet. When I go to Currys I want someone to come over and ask if I need help. If I do they should know the products. And not let me leave the store without not only the product but anything else I might need. Leads, batteries, case, memory card but no hard sell.

I wouldn't at Currys, mainly because a lot of their kit is over priced, especially the accessories like the leads and batteries.
The most helpful person i have encountered in a store was PC World, managed to have a very good talk to their 'Google' salesman. He was very well trained in his product and other tablets, knew the technical features, useful features and wasn't hard selling the product-simply advertising what it can do. That to me is the way a shop floor walker should be, knowledgeable, approachable and helpful.

[daveyrach]

Currys PC World are the same company. We have a Currys/PC World mega store here in Reading.

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy S2 using Tapatalk 2

[Spank86]

Aside from the job losses which is sad, anyone who has left memory cards or discs in store will find their photos and memory cards have been destroyed.


Isn't that criminal damage?

[tigersaw]

Isn't that criminal damage?
or complying with data protection.
dunno

[LewSpeight]

Just confirmed that I got the job at Currys..
Lets see how the company compares to what Jessops was?

[Littlepeahead]

Well done. Did you get an opportunity to chuck in those random figures from Radio 4?

[LewSpeight]

Certainly ;) he said on the phone this morning and I quote 'your attention for detail, skill and research was excellent, well done'.
I had 15 minutes to scan the shop before the interview so I soaked up how many brands they had in, the price ranges and all that what not and threw it at him in the interview.

Must've worked!

[Amadeus]

Great news - congratulations. I had wondered but didn't want to pry - wouldn't help if you we're stressed.

Talking of threads that I think about, does anyone know how Messie got on with her water damage issue? I'm hoping that someone on this thread might know and she wouldn't see that I had asked. Really hope it was sorted to her satisfaction.

[LewSpeight]

Great news - congratulations. I had wondered but didn't want to pry - wouldn't help if you we're stressed.

Talking of threads that I think about, does anyone know how Messie got on with her water damage issue? I'm hoping that someone on this thread might know and she wouldn't see that I had asked. Really hope it was sorted to her satisfaction.

I'm intrigued, I wish I knew what you was talking about :P

[Brettus]

Congratulations LewSpeight! Nicely done :-) hope it's nice enough for you.
Where is the branch you are going to be in now then?

[LewSpeight]

Thanks Brettus :)
The one in White Rose shopping centre.. I'm hoping I'm going to like it

[Sir Trev]

Glad to hear you got it. Went past the HW Jessops branch today - sad to see it all shut up with the windows covered over. Compare that to HMV which had massive "sale" signs in the windows and was packed out.

[LewSpeight]

Glad to hear you got it. Went past the HW Jessops branch today - sad to see it all shut up with the windows covered over. Compare that to HMV which had massive "sale" signs in the windows and was packed out.

Aye it sucks huh. Depressing. I've seen my old store today and it looks so lifeless and I can kinda visualise how it used to be through the shuttered windows :/ it's sad!
So many memories made in that building

[Sir Trev]

Thread resurection warning!!

Lew - don't suppose you want to go and work for Jessops in their Oxford Street branch do you? Wandered in there yesterday to have a butchers at the new 100d and the muppet that tried to help me didn't have a scooby. Told me rubbish about the lens it came with, eventually realising that the demo model had the wrong one on it, and had no idea about any of the bundles they may or may not be able to do. Plus, both the 100d and 700d beside it were broken or non-functioning which was no help either.

The HW brnach was one of those saved so I may well wander in there this weekend instead. For most retailers their Oxford Street branch is often considered one of their flagship stores so you'd expect it to be better staffed and equipped.

[LewSpeight]

Well found Trev.

I've already been poached on was recruited in the Leeds store.
Thank you for the thought though, i'll definitely pass a word on though about the Oxford St branch though.