more 2nd hand shops i predict - some trading shops popping up, bring your old books etc, we'll buy them off you and sell them on cheap. i went to Crawley town centre the other day - it had 4 Costa's within about 3minutes walk of each other - madness - but apparently not as they were all packed. whenever i go in smiths in my town it is always packed. I personally don't like buying clothes off the internet, so would imagine they've got more staying power. and where would we be without all those charity shops?
It's the way of the world I'm afraid . Anyway more and more of these stores are staffed by foreign labour anyway. Just go into Costa now and you'll see all the staff have name badges on that also have their national flag on , I've yet to see a union flag or George cross on.
Just go into Costa now and you'll see all the staff have name badges on that also have their national flag on , I've yet to see a union flag or George cross on.
Costa don't get much call for a badge with a George cross with the name Nathan on.
The shop staff were often clueless about the equipment they were selling, especially things like filters, camera bags, etc.
They always seemed to be10 to 15 % more expensive than anywhere else. I would expect to pay more at an independent specialist, but their prices were always more expensive, desipte being a chain and bulk buying!
I don't feel sorry for Jessops as a business at all. In the '80s and '90s they expanded aggressively with no regard for their competitors. Many local camera stores were lost at that time. Here in Southend we had a local shop called Patience. Their customer service was second to none, but they couldn't compete price wise. I don't imagine for a minute that anyone at Jessops thought it was anything but good for them when Patience went to the wall. Now they have have been out-competed. What goes around come around.
For the staff though, it must be awful and I really feel for them. I hope that they can get jobs as soon as possible, but with the economy as it is that's going to be really tough.
As for vouchers, I've never bought them and never will. Cash is infinitely better because you're not restricting people to where they spend it and if any thing happens that means you can't use cash it will be so catastrophic most of us will be dead anyway. Vouchers smouchers.
Bit like Tesco, they're the bastards who made me sell my shop! Never used a Tesco since
so what happens to us all then when all the jobs go ? No jobs for kids , adults, oh dear what a wonderful thing the internet is that it makes the whole country redundant.
You can't blame the customer for wanting things cheaper.
no you cant, but if the outcome is more and more jobs going, then it dont matter how cheap it is because people wont have any money to pay for it. I am genuinely worried about where this country is going. I just dont see there being jobs out there in 10-15 years time.
The shop staff were often clueless about the equipment they were selling, especially things like filters, camera bags, etc.
They always seemed to be10 to 15 % more expensive than anywhere else. I would expect to pay more at an independent specialist, but their prices were always more expensive, desipte being a chain and bulk buying!
They were also very handy when it came to spotting a novice and selling them loads of unnecessary extras. I remember buying a camera in there years ago and they told me I needed a uv filter because otherwise those nasty uv rays would ruin all of my lovely images. I fell for it, but it wasn't until later that I read up that I found out that in South East England there's no problem with uv at all, because we're so close to sea level: you only need a uv filter up in the mountains. My son had a similar problem with being sold an unnecessary home-brand tripod. Something he didn't need and that was too wobbly to hold a pencil steady let alone a camera.
I suppose my £50 Christmas voucher is down the swanny then?
Almost certainly if it was bought with cash. And if it was purchased on a credit card you are stuffed as it's under the £100 limit set out in the Consumer Credit Act. You would have to join the (bottom of the) long list of creditors. Your only chance is if the person that bought it for you paid for it on their bank debit card. In which case, they (not you) can claim back the £50 through the bank's charge-back scheme. You can then ask them politely for a nice crispy £50 note (just check the intaglio print to make sure it's not snide).
Wasn't joking about people losing their jobs. However, most staff leaving Jessops will get snapped up by Halfords.
Now that is a firm I've often wondered about: Just how do they keep going? Abysmal customer service and sky high prices. Not usually a combination you'd expect in the model of a successful business but they, somehow, manage to survive.
Wasn't joking about people losing their jobs. However, most staff leaving Jessops will get snapped up by Halfords.
You clearly are making a joke of it, twat.
My humour may not be yours. To be honest, anyone who even thinks they should call someone a twat because something has been posted they don't agree with must be driven nuts on here. I ignore a lot of stuff where I feel my post would be nothing but a personal insult as I really have nothing to say. I suggest you do the same. Won't call you a twat as I suspect the word doesn't go anywhere near describing you. C### would do it, but I'm not allowed.
Now, get your brain in gear and post something derogatory or funny smartarse.
The shop staff were often clueless about the equipment they were selling, especially things like filters, camera bags, etc.
They always seemed to be10 to 15 % more expensive than anywhere else. I would expect to pay more at an independent specialist, but their prices were always more expensive, desipte being a chain and bulk buying!
They were also very handy when it came to spotting a novice and selling them loads of unnecessary extras. I remember buying a camera in there years ago and they told me I needed a uv filter because otherwise those nasty uv rays would ruin all of my lovely images. I fell for it, but it wasn't until later that I read up that I found out that in South East England there's no problem with uv at all, because we're so close to sea level: you only need a uv filter up in the mountains. My son had a similar problem with being sold an unnecessary home-brand tripod. Something he didn't need and that was too wobbly to hold a pencil steady let alone a camera.
Agree on that Stig. Thankfully I do know a bit about it so managed not to fall for the spiel. When I went in to pick up my pre-ordered camera they tried to get me to buy all sorts of stuff, really quite forceful about it. I almost told them to stick it and shove the fairly considerable sum where the sun doesn't shine but was desperate for the camera at the time and had to spend my voucher there.
I wonder what the average British high street will look like in 30 years time.
Big big question as retailers, local and central government and planners need to think this one through ... fast!
If I'm looking for a camera or new fridge etc I will look on line but prefer to browse a real shop and talk to someone about choices... I will buy there and then if they can price match... but business rates for retail will have to be slashed to enable high st to compete AND offer local jobs... Why would government do that? Well if its on the web then the smart companies sell from Ireland and Luxembourg meaning no corporation tax... I really think there is a future for high streets and town centre retail with the old style mix and markets etc. With specialist advice and people interacting.
As for Jessups, I thought it would come back with some stores closing - hadn't realised it had been in trouble for years.
Talking about this today. Chelmsford seems to be thriving, and not all pound shops. We are soon getting a John Lewis and a waitrose in town which are big draws. I people like a thriving high street of they can afford not to he everything online or from the supermarket. I think chelmsford is maybe quite affluent. But you need a plan to stop town centres dying. Maybe subsidise rates for independent shops? Might attract more people to the area.
The only hope i have is we see the return of much more independant stores, as im one of possibly the very few that would pay a little more to buy from and support a store like that, over some nameless internet/chain business.
Comments
1: quality of service
2: price
The shop staff were often clueless about the equipment they were selling, especially things like filters, camera bags, etc.
They always seemed to be10 to 15 % more expensive than anywhere else. I would expect to pay more at an independent specialist, but their prices were always more expensive, desipte being a chain and bulk buying!
Objection failed. Shame that they hadn't invested more in their own estate before the arrival of Tesco.
The current Sainsbury by the odoen is shutting when this one opens meaning that both that and comet will be gone.
Your only chance is if the person that bought it for you paid for it on their bank debit card. In which case, they (not you) can claim back the £50 through the bank's charge-back scheme. You can then ask them politely for a nice crispy £50 note (just check the intaglio print to make sure it's not snide).
Now, get your brain in gear and post something derogatory or funny smartarse.
If I'm looking for a camera or new fridge etc I will look on line but prefer to browse a real shop and talk to someone about choices... I will buy there and then if they can price match... but business rates for retail will have to be slashed to enable high st to compete AND offer local jobs... Why would government do that? Well if its on the web then the smart companies sell from Ireland and Luxembourg meaning no corporation tax...
I really think there is a future for high streets and town centre retail with the old style mix and markets etc. With specialist advice and people interacting.
As for Jessups, I thought it would come back with some stores closing - hadn't realised it had been in trouble for years.