Jessops Shop Reviews

I have used my local Jessops shop in Shrewsbury (on Mardol) on several occasions and found the staff helpful and knowledgeable, some have been there for many years. Also in recent years they manage to compete well with on-line sale prices from other companies. Would certainly recommend this particular shop.

Recently made an order for a Panasonic GX80, had a question before ordering that I wanted answering, webchat came back within minutes for me with the answer. I ordered and camera arrived next day. Would use again!

Bought two Sony FE lenses from them recently and got quick delivery and hassle free on line ordering. Not always the cheapest but reliable in my experience.

I am usually very happy in my dealings with Jessops, as I have said in an earlier review. A recent experience has puzzled me. I bought some Manfrotto gear (2 items) on line and tried to register them with Manfrotto for an extended guarantee. One step of the registration process is to give Manfrotto the QR code from the packaging. Manfrotto would not accept the code and denied the extended guarantee. I looked at the packaging again and noticed that the glossy label where the QR code is situated seemed to have been stuck on as an afterthought, and the code was nothing like any of the other equipment I have registered. That raises a question. Was it the correct QR code? If not, why not? Was it a code from another product? Well, how had it become detached from the box? 2 possibilities strike me, and there may be more. Is the tripod head new or a return? Is it a genuine Manfrotto article? If not, why would Jessops, such a high-profile dealer, have handled it? Many unanswered questions have let me to this "Poor" verdict.

I recently went into the branch near New Street station in Birmingham to enquire about a Canon MP-E 65mm/f2.8 Macro lens, and the man looked bewildered. He calmed down when he checked on the computer system. I ordered one to pick up in the shop and have to say the same man was extremely helpful - a phone call to wait could be picked up, and he completed the purchase/hand-over in record time, as I had warned him I had a 10-minute window before my train left. He went that extra mile and that sort of service makes a big difference.

I have found some equipment at very good prices in Jessops, and been treated very well. Im glad they have survived, even if in a limited form, and always keep track of their prices. They seem worth watching.

I ordered a camera lens at around 7 p.m. on a Friday evening, selecting the free 'next working day' delivery, so expected it to arrive on the following Tuesday, in line with their delivery timetable. The order was immediately acknowledged, early on Saturday I received an update promising delivery on Monday, soon followed by another email bringing delivery forward to Saturday morning. It arrived about 11 a.m., less than 16 hours after I ordered it! I don't think I have ever experienced such prompt service. Full marks, Jessops!

I bought a camera using the online store and headed into the store to pick it up. The staff were actually pretty knowledgeable and vocal about the products. I was happy with the price, and offer of free bag, filter and cloth. I actually signed up for a photography class and it was really good fun! 9 of us in a class with James, who was excellent. Showed us a lot about our new cameras! Id be happy to use them again!

Ordered a Lowepro Flipside 500AW rucksack about 14.30 on Thursday and delivered by 10.30am the next day.
The 20%discount voucher only became available on on the Thursday and was accepted making the purchase cheaper than shown on this web site and other European suppliers. Postage and packing for next day delivery was included in the unbeatable price.
I had stopped using Jessops as their local branches had closed BUT I am recommending Jessops On-Line service as Excellent.

Always been good although not stellar.

I have used Jessops since 1986, but since 2007, nevermore...

I have had good and bad experiences with Jessops (both online and at my local stores), all the bad experiences had been resolved to my satisfaction. However; when they tried to sell me, what was supposed to be, a new camera with a shutter actuation count of over 3500 I decided never to use them again. No apology, just a Oh, I dont know how that couldve happened. Later the same day, Mifsuds of Brixham had the pleasure of my business instead.

In the 80s and 90s, Jessops were always spot-on. It seems that the 21st century caused them to go to pot.

Went to Jessops in Holborn, London to buy a new tripod, was very impressed by the service and the knowledge of the staff and their helpfullness too.
I have noticed a huge improvement with Jessops within the last 5 years, ask me the same question 10 years ago and I would have given a different answer.
If you keep an eye on camera equipment prices, Jessops do some good deals now and again.

I would never use them again unless I have to, service is dire, made the mistake of buying a Canon 40D as they were the lowest price but went it went wrong they were useless. Also order some filters from them and they did not even place the order for 4 weeks as I checked with Cokin, so did not receive for 6 weeks. Also I would not send anything back for warranty repairs through there system as it will take about 6 weeks go straight to the cameras service centre and it will only take 1 week. Watch out for their charges to.

It would seem Im in the minority but so far Ive had good service from Jessops.

I ordered a Sony 70-300G for collection in store and got a text after about 5 minutes to say it was ready for collection. It was the best price by a long way at the time. The staff at the store allowed me to cut the seal before paying to check everything was fine and they even gave me a free UV filter. It was only a very cheap one but I only use it to protect the front element and never shoot with it in place anyway.

Recently I ordered a Sony CZ 16-80 via mail order. It was listed as out of stock with more expected in 10 days. The price was outstanding so I ordered it. Eight days later I had notification it was dispatched and was with me the following morning.

I am very pleased with the service to date and am happy to recommend them.

Keep an eye out on their website too as they have some VERY silly offers. I recently bought two spare batteries for my Sony A700 for £20 each. They are usually nearer £70 so I had a real bargain. They were brand new and still sealed in the Sony packaging.

Give Jessops a chance, they are getting better every day and we are running out of camera shops on our High Streets.

Recently I ordered a tripod and head from the Jessops online store, and everything went OK, it showed the items were in stock and I could pick them up from my local Jessops in the morning(after 9.45AM), even received the confirmation email of my order.
I did have to wait for them to email and text me when the order was ready to pick up.
Sadly Im still waiting.
Been 2 days now and not even a courtesy call.
I checked back on their site and did a dummy order for my initial items, and now they show as out of stock.
Still no call or email or update but I guess they havent got it in stock and also cant be bothered to let me know either.
As a result of my experience I would not place too much faith in their online system and even less in the Jessops staff making any sort of effort to help.

Went into the local Jessops shop to buy Nikon NX2 software.

The assistant in the shop told me that I could only get it direct from Nikon, and that no shops would stock it.

Just one example of poor Jessops staff knowledge.

Bought it in Warehouse Express instead.

Can I just say how stupid is Jessops current SPRING50 discount code, displayed on this website?

"Save £50 on orders over £1000. Excludes SLRs and lenses."

What exactly do they expect people to buy from them for over £1000? 20 camera bags? A holiday in the Greek Isles?

Whilst I acknowledge its possible to accumulate £1000 on other items, I find it hard to believe that wouldnt include a lens or a camera body.

So this discount is really a meaningless waste of time.

On two occasions, the items ordered were not in stock. They take ages to deliver them (I cancelled both orders after two weeks); and they take your money at the time of order.

I pre-ordered a Canon 7d with 15-85mm lens and a free bundle of battery and CF card. However contrary to their own terms and conditions and confirmation email full payment was taken straight away.

When I telephoned their customer services I was told that it was policy to treat all pre-orders as a special order and to take full payment immediately, and they had no idea as to when they would have stock in. When I read their own T&C clauses to them they started quoting the sales of goods act covering them for errors and omissions. So I cancelled the order to be told that the "free" bundle had been despatched and they would only refund the price of the camera leaving over £225 left for the "free" items which I would have to return to a branch for refund.

How can you trust a company who have two sets of terms and conditions of sale? Needless to say I wont be using them again and I certainly would discourage anyone from using.

Never ever again.

Tried to purchase a Sony a 700 from their Richmond branch.

I collected the boxed, new camera only to find that it had so obviously been used with thumb prints including one on the mirror! and a number of cosmetic scratches.

I returned it and was offered a replacement which was obviously VERY old stock as it was loaded with V.1 firmware (the revision for the last NINE monthe has been V.4).

Offered and accepted a full refund.

The sad part was that the staff didnt really seem to care that they had lost a customer.

If Jessops management ever read these reviews it may go some way chaps to explaining your current financial predicament.

I think Jessops became too big company to care about customers.

I`ve bought in Jessops a Canon 1D Mark III camera. Unfortunately it did broke down after about 3000 actuations. Ok, it can happen - even pro dslr bodies are now just sh*t - I can understand that it can happen even with top line equipment.
I gave camera to Jessops for repair, and...couldn`t get it back! Every week I`ve got the answer, that my camera will be back next week...next week etc. I had to start to cooperate with my lawyer to force them to give my camera back.

Of course I have to mention, that shop staff really doesn`t know what they are selling. They are of course kind and they are trying to be helpful, but they doesn`t have ani single bit of knowledge about photographics equipment.

And when is something wrong with your camera...as you can see, it can be a nightmare.

I have used Jessops for many years, but their customer service is now awful. Once staffed by photo enthusiasts it is now a pale imitation of its former self.

The latest cynical example - I asked them to price match against jacobs on a Canon EOS 1D Mark 3.

I phoned up at 4pm and they said they would come back to me before their call centre closed (7pm) - I received no call back.

I phoned the next day and they could not find any record of my price match. After all this they bottled it - and failed to price match.

I will never use them again - and I know many of my colleagues who feel the same way.

Ordered a Canon TS-E 24mm lens from them online with 24hrs delivery. I needed the lens in a hurry as I had a job in and needed the lens for the job. Waited in the next day (Friday) - no delivery. Towards the end of the day I phoned customer services and was told that I wouldnt be receiving the lens as my card details were going through a security check. However they were pleased to tell me that all was ok with my card (which I already knew) and I would be receiving the lens Monday (next working day delivery).

After telling them what I thought of their service and promise of a "next day delivery" they agreed to mark it up as a Saturday delivery at no extra cost.

I was unhappy that they had gone through a process without consulting me or of informing me that there would be any delay.

Wouldnt trust them again to be honest.

I previously gave Jessup’s a good review, on this occasion however, my experience was just the opposite.

I recently ordered a new Canon 300mm f4L lens at a price of £850. What was sent was NOT new. It was packed incorrectly, the front lens cap was scuffed, the front lens element was dusty and the box had a stock return label on it. In short, Jessup’s sent a used/demo lens and tried to pass it off as new. They arranged to collect on a Monday, nothing happened until I phoned again, they couldnt explain why the collection hadn’t been made nor did they apologise. They did collect the following day and a new replacement lens was sent quickly, (the only thing to their credit).

I would have accepted this as a genuine mistake, but looking at the reviews by “Nick” and “bluefox9er” it would seem like normal Jessup’s practice. I find it quite despicable that the UKs largest photographic retailer can treat customers in this way. So if you buy from Jessup’s check out your purchase very carefully, (especially if you are buying a Canon 300mm F4L lens, there’s a second-hand one kicking about in their warehouse).

I used to use Jessops extensively but their prices are not as keen as they used to be. However, they sometimes give a voucher code which, can make an otherwise expensive item very good value. I have purchased two Canon L series lenses this year and got very good deals on both. Service was good with no problems.

So many reasons NOT to buy from jessops...

1. ridiculous price match policy..basically, they dont price match at all...dont bother asking.

2. Following on from price matchiong, their prices are nothing short of a joke..wayt,way,way,way too expensive.

3. No guarnatee that if you go to a store you will be served by a member of staff that knows *anything* about cameras.
4. VERY IMPORTANT: Jessops WILL SELL YOU ex-display and demo models and PASS THEM OFF AS BRAND NEW AND UNUSED!!! When you challenge them and say you want a new camera out of a box, they fob you off with nonesnese about how an ex-display camera is a brand new model. to add salt to the wound, the only way of reducing the cost is them offering £5 off a memory card.

6. You are investing in high quality gear..you owe it to yourself to buy it from an honest seller. Jessops isnt an honest seller.

I cant comment for the online service but if it is anything like the service you receive in store then it must be poor.
I have been to a number of stores and they all appear to employ the same type of people, the type that know very little about the product of which they are selling.
I like most people study a product thoroughly before making a purchase and armed with this knowledge attended my local Jessops and was shocked to find that the sales assistant (for want of a better word) had very little knowledge not just with the item I wanted to buy but also with most of the other products for sale and had to continuely read from the wording on display.
Needless to say I didnt buy the item from Jessops.

After purchasing a digital SLR from a Jessops store the assistant recommended a a bag for the camera and told me he could save me £24.99 on their usual price. The bag cost me £59.99. I later checked web prices for this bag and the Jessops price was £59.99!! which was £15.00 more expensive than some of their rivals. I complained to custommer services, telling them I felt that I was conned by one of their assistants. They never really admitted fault and sent me a voucher for £5.00. What an insult, the voucher went straight to the bin. I have paid my last visit to Jessops.

Wasnt too sure about Jessops as I have had some very mediocre visits to their shops, but I purchased a canon 70-200 is usm from them online - induced by CPBs highlight of 10% discount. The whole process was straight forward, quick and efficient. Item was well packed - delivered by City Link on time. Would use them again based on this experience. Lens is GREAT as well!

I ordered a Nikon lens from the Jessops website and decided to use the "Collect at Store" facility. No problems, picked up the lens, and got home.

Upon opening, I realised the lens had obviously been sold before or had been used as a demo model (it was covered in dust and there were some lovely big figerprints on the front element, the manual had also clearly been thumbed through.

Id heard rumours that Jessops just stick returned goods back on the shelves but this is the first time it has happened to me in years of buying from them.

So just be warned when using "collect at store" the goods may not be as "new" as youd perhaps like.

Bad service. Got cut off the phone a ton of times!

Had nothing but trouble with the online system.

Makes authorisations which are approved by the bank, but Jessops system fails to complete transaction, resulting in inability to use that credit for next 12 days or so.

If youre on a slow connection (e.g. at work), the basket and store locator (to check stock) pages fail to load 19 times out of 20...yet competitor websites work flawlessly. Ok, i could wait until i get home..but im an impulse buyer.

On seperate occasion, been told by the online system the credit card doesnt match address supplied, despite me copy n pasting the address from the banks website into jessops website (i.e. its identical). Fortunately the people on the jessops phoneline can put the stock aside at your local store and process the online discount codes for you, but shopping online shouldnt be this painful in 2008.

Prices are ok, but only when the discount codes bring them to the same level other shops are already selling for...

I use Jessops Pro-Line service. Next day delivery of stock products. Great prices and excellent service.

Brilliant Service - No problems - And there are UK based people on the other end of the phone.

I bought a Canon 100-400mm zoom lens from Jessops at Christmas 2006, based on the price comparison on this site.

I paid the extra for next day delivery and received the item on time, well packaged and in perfect condition. Email communications before shipping were excellent and I was able to track the progress of the order online.

It wasnt necessary for me to speak to anyone personally for this order so I cannot comment on that aspect of their service.

I was very happy with the service and the goods and I would not hesitate to use Jessops again.