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Jacobs shut remaining stores.
This is really disappointing as they were the best on the high street in my opinion.
http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk/photo-news/538860/jacobs-shuts-remaining-st...
They were certainly much better than the other "J".
But they never seemed to develop a big online presence to compete with the likes of Park Cameras, WEX, Mifsuds or Ffordes. Perhaps that was their downfall.
Seems crazy when you think how many people are buying cameras from point and shoot to Dslrs, but then I suppose most people who want a camera for holidays etc tend to go either to Jessops, Currys or Argos as most people tend to mention those to me when they say they are thinking of getting a camera.
More and more people are buying from the web nowadays. Who wants to go to Town centres, having to pay a fortune for the car park and then have to walk some distance to the shop, especially if it's raining! If you want to know anything about a product, you look at the reviews on the web and then you'll look for the best price on the particular article you're after on the web. I've found Amazon to be the cheapest on most occasions and you get free delivery with the majority of sellers. It's also sods law that you go to a shop for something and they've not got it in stock and they will have to order it for you, so you might as well have purchased whatever you're after on the web in the first place!
Stephen
I have just gone through a major purchase that was intended for my local Jacobs. The problem was between deciding what I was after and when I had the finances in place Jacobs went - to the extent that I went into town to on the Monday before they shut their doors to find they were had changed their hours to Tuesday to Sunday only. I knew that the store were struggling to get staff so didn't think much of it, I went back two weeks later on a Saturday to find the doors were closed permanently. So I ended up next door at Jessops who - surprisingly - were quite easy to deal with, and they price matched various shops so saved me schlepping round a heap of shops to get the best price.
When I contacted Park, all I got was book price and no chance of movement - the last time I visited there I ended up deciding on a brand change because of their attitude! so they aren't at the top of my list of shops to visit again. But I still like to hold something in my hand before I make such a large investment so I for one will always rather pay the parking and walk over buying on line
Quote: But I still like to hold something in my hand before I make such a large investment
Funny, I'm not too bothered for cameras and lenses but camera bags are so much easier to buy when you can actually pick them up & touch them.
Totally agree with Lobsterboy re bags. Jacobs in New Oxford Street used to carry hundreds and there was never any hassle if you got all the bits out and moved the straps around (I did used to put them all back again though 
). Bags are really quite important as you'll never use one that's uncomfortable. I bought my first DSLR there (Canon 400D), my first proper tripod (Benbo Trekker), and amongst other bits and bobs, the new Tamron 18-270.
I always used to make a point of going into the big Jessops store opposite first, look around, see that what I wanted was about £50 or more than over the road, listen to some drivel from an "assistant", then swan over to Jacobs and get excellent service and advice. I'm really fed up, it was my favourite shop. 
Quote: I always used to make a point of going into the big Jessops store opposite first, look around, see that what I wanted was about £50 or more than over the road
Do you think that might have something to do with why Jacobs were struggling to turn a profit?
Such a shame, I did put in an order last week for a couple of bits, but they've not dispatched, so have had to cancel. I've always used the main Leicester store and got to know the staff really well. I shall probably pop in this weekend before they close to say goodbye.
Quote: I always used to make a point of going into the big Jessops store opposite first, look around, see that what I wanted was about £50 or more than over the road
Do you think that might have something to do with why Jacobs were struggling to turn a profit?
Wouldn't have thought so because after looking at Jessop's exhorbitant prices I'd go over to Jacobs which was cheaper. I suspect others might have done the same, but you never know. Probably internet trading finished them off. If you didn't want any personal service or to try the stuff out it's generally even cheaper on line. And I suspect Jessops has the more high profile name amongst compact buyers and general trade.
Quote: Internet shopping spells the end of Leicestershire camera chain Jacobs
Business leaders said it was unable to compete with lower cost supermarkets and online retailers.
Professor Jim Saker, retail expert at Loughborough University, said: "Cecil Jacobs effectively became one of Amazon's high-street showrooms. This is because there are not many photographers that need specialist advice any more. The technology has moved on and they didn't adapt to this change."
Original Source:
That's an interesting quote.
Mostly when we have threads about high street stores the criticism is that the shops employ people who don't know too much about photography.
This guy is saying that's the right move.
I would say he's wrong - in my view there's at least the same number of photographers needing specialist advice as any time in the history of photography, the difference now is there's so many more places to get that advice, so the camera shop expert is less necessary.
What I liked was their willingness to help and let you have a go with kit. My son recently bought his first camera from there and he was allowed out of the shop with it, whilst I chatted & then check the images on his laptop. They also price matched and threw in an 8gig memory card. I do my research too, but it's nice to go in and chat with people who know what they are talking about.
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