jessops/comet staff

powell7

powell7

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after having to walk out of my local jessops because i couldnt understand any of the staff i went to my good old comet store to have a look at a bridge camera for my dad.

after holding and reading the specs of the two i was picking between the staff member came up and asked if i needed any help.

i said i was ok,but he decided to tell me about the two anyway.

apparently he was a keen photographer and told me to buy the cheaper one as it was better and the difference between a 20x zoom and a 36x zoom isn`t much :thinking::thinking::thinking:

am i missing something here :shrug::shrug:
 
There are know-it-alls in every walk of life. Even here to. Just let them have their moment :)
 
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powell7 said:
after having to walk out of my local jessops because i couldnt understand any of the staff i went to my good old comet store to have a look at a bridge camera for my dad.

after holding and reading the specs of the two i was picking between the staff member came up and asked if i needed any help.

i said i was ok,but he decided to tell me about the two anyway.

apparently he was a keen photographer and told me to buy the cheaper one as it was better and the difference between a 20x zoom and a 36x zoom isn`t much :thinking::thinking::thinking:

am i missing something here :shrug::shrug:
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No the cheaper one was better
 
but you sort of need a know it all in a specific shop such as Jessops, as long as their know it all knowledge is correct!.

The problem with retail is that most people who work in shops are not there because it is their dream job and for most it is just another job in a shop (in this case a camera shop)

Unless you are lucky and find a guy who is genuinely interested and a bit of a geek on the technical aspects you will usually find you know more than they do. And this is coming from someone who only got into cameras about 4 months ago (admittedly I do become a bit obsessed and find out as much as possible on everything I do).

As for difference between 36x and 20x, why not get him to demonstrate it for you and take the two cameras outside. He can then see that there is quite a difference and increase his knowledge...
 
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The difference between 20x and 36x zoom is certainly one thing.. it's not significant or relevant if you're not looking at the actual focal length range and comparing that with your intended usage. The cheaper camera could easily have been the better camera for your dad, but we don't have ebough to go on.

Retail is poorly paid and it can be frustrating dealing with an unappreciative public, sometimes it's impossible to be right.
 
maybe the cheaper one was better and he was actually being helpful? What models were you looking at?
 
Actually there may not have been a massive difference in those too zoom levels :thumbs: take this as an example Sigma 50-500 = 10x zoom Sigma 150-500 3.3x zoom :D but you still end up with the same image :lol:

Matt
 
kerley said:
but you sort of need a know it all in a specific shop such as Jessops, as long as their know it all knowledge is correct!.

The problem with retail is that most people who work in shops are not there because it is their dream job and for most it is just another job in a shop (in this case a camera shop)

Unless you are lucky and find a guy who is genuinely interested and a bit of a geek on the technical aspects you will usually find you know more than they do. And this is coming from someone who only got into cameras about 4 months ago (admittedly I do become a bit obsessed and find out as much as possible on everything I do).

As for difference between 36x and 20x, why not get him to demonstrate it for you and take the two cameras outside. He can then see that there is quite a difference and increase his knowledge...
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Without knowing the focal length of the lenses you can't say that. The guy in Comet may be spot on

e.g - a 10mm-200mm lens = 20x zoom, and a 5.5-200mm lens = 36x zoom. Both have the same maximum focal length, difference is at the wide end of the focal lengths, so if you're not so bothered about wide angle shots the 20x zoom may well suit better
 
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In this day and age of businesses struggling and internet buying getting easier I find it incredible that staff in shops such as this are hardly approachable.

I recently walked out of a camera shop near me because I was talked down to like a time waster! I genuinely went in there to buy a tripod and the staff just couldn't be bothered tbh.

Having spend £1000's in there over the past few years I was totally gutted. Internet and and cheaper prices for me from now on. Talk about supporting the local shops. Sod that.
 
Scrubdog said:
In this day and age of businesses struggling and internet buying getting easier I find it incredible that staff in shops such as this are hardly approachable.

I recently walked out of a camera shop near me because I was talked down to like a time waster! I genuinely went in there to buy a tripod and the staff just couldn't be bothered tbh.

Having spend £1000's in there over the past few years I was totally gutted. Internet and and cheaper prices for me from now on. Talk about supporting the local shops. Sod that.
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They probably do get a fair number of time wasters and 'customers' who just want to check out the gear so they can order it online, but that doesn't excuse this sort of treatment at all. Have you taken it up formally with the manager, and their head office? I'd use mail, or write.

Must admit, I have little or no experience with camera shops in the UK. There aren't any within about 50 miles - other than a tiny branch of Jessops and the big box stores - so I buy online. South Africa was the opposite, no online dealers to speak of, and a lot of expensive shops!
 
Scrubdog said:
In this day and age of businesses struggling and internet buying getting easier I find it incredible that staff in shops such as this are hardly approachable.

I recently walked out of a camera shop near me because I was talked down to like a time waster! I genuinely went in there to buy a tripod and the staff just couldn't be bothered tbh.

Having spend £1000's in there over the past few years I was totally gutted. Internet and and cheaper prices for me from now on. Talk about supporting the local shops. Sod that.
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That sounds very familiar to me - and I'm not so far from you. I just delight in letting them know I went somewhere else to buy it.......not online either:thumbs:
 
I cancelled my order for a Nikon D3100 due to a combo of poor in store help, and disgusting call centre service from Jessops today!
 
Don't be too quick to buy online. It may seem to be the short term better option, but what are you going to do when all the shops have closed and you can't pick up a camera or lens to judge wether it's right for you?
I recently bought a new Sony camera. I was out to buy either a Canon Eos500d or a Sony A55. Having gone to four local city centre shops (including the Sony shop ) I was gobsmacked to find that whilst all of them could sell me the Sony, only one of them could put it in my hand and let me play with it. After a short demo I was sold on the Sony, but actually spent an extra £300 above my initial budget and chose the A65 model. thank you Wilkinsons of Preston. You put it on the shelf and got the sale
 
J.D. said:
Without knowing the focal length of the lenses you can't say that. The guy in Comet may be spot on

e.g - a 10mm-200mm lens = 20x zoom, and a 5.5-200mm lens = 36x zoom. Both have the same maximum focal length, difference is at the wide end of the focal lengths, so if you're not so bothered about wide angle shots the 20x zoom may well suit better
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Fair point, although you can't say that either as neither of us know the focal lengths :)

Also, have you ever been in Comet...
 
This is why you are better off going to a good camera shop. You might pay a few quid extra (and you might not) but it is probably going to be a small price for getting the right kit.
 
kerley said:
Fair point, although you can't say that either as neither of us know the focal lengths :)

Also, have you ever been in Comet...
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I honestly don't see the point in that comment :thinking: :shrug:
 
kerley said:
Fair point, although you can't say that either as neither of us know the focal lengths :)

Also, have you ever been in Comet...
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No, but it was just an example to illustrate how defining focal length by zoom multiplier doesnt really tell you much.

Yeah, and I wouldnt normally defend the assistants in any of the high street chains. Usually ignore them - but then if I'm there its because I know what I want and Im getting in and out as quick as possible!
 
I remember trying to buy a camera in Dixons when the kid working there told me it was from the cage( i think he meant it was locked up in the secure room) so must be brand new even though the box had obviously been opened before and it appeared to have a pubic hair on the lens! With so many people unemployed I have no idea why companies hire staff with the social skills and intelligence of a zombie.
 
Pog said:
I remember trying to buy a camera in Dixons when the kid working there told me it was from the cage( i think he meant it was locked up in the secure room) so must be brand new even though the box had obviously been opened before and it appeared to have a pubic hair on the lens! With so many people unemployed I have no idea why companies hire staff with the social skills and intelligence of a zombie.
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You won't get a zombie working for the pay/conditions offered in retail..

Low pay.
Minimal prospects.
Non-transferable training (when it's available).
Constantly dealing with the public.
On-again, off-again hours.
.. it's not the dream job it sounds like..
 
I worked for Jessops for over 4 years, I left when I saw the writing on the wall over store closures etc, been gone 4yrs now. At that time all they wanted to do was employ kids and part time workers who really had no knowledge of the products they were selling.

Having been into the Manchester store recently it seems they have changed their philosophy having got through the hard times. Lots of display models to pick up and play with and what seemed fairly knowledgable staff.

However they lost a lot of the so called technical geeks like me who knew what we were talking about as we were treated so badly and the pressure applied was immense from management who were battling to save the business.

I wish them no harm and hope they continue to prosper as they now seem to be doing but will they have learned from the past, in the way they treat staff, that I doubt.
 
MWHCVT said:
I honestly don't see the point in that comment :thinking: :shrug:
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The point was that neither of us know which cameras were being discussed so neither of us know where the 36X zoom was getting the extra 16 from (wider with same narrow or same wide and narrower) and how that would factor into the buyers use of the camera.

The Comet employee could have been right or wrong based on that. I then added the remark about ever having been in a Comet as my position would be that there is a high chance the Comet employee didn't have a clue...

If you don't see the point now we should just both acknowledge that and move on:)
 
Maybe I'm just lucky in which sales assistants I get but iv had pretty good service in both Glasgow branches and the Edinburgh branch of Jessops whenever iv been in. Hence why iv bought a D3, a 24-70 2.8 and an x100 plus lots of smaller items and consumables from them. Calumet on the other hand...
 
fixedimage said:
Maybe I'm just lucky in which sales assistants I get but iv had pretty good service in both Glasgow branches and the Edinburgh branch of Jessops whenever iv been in. Hence why iv bought a D3, a 24-70 2.8 and an x100 plus lots of smaller items and consumables from them. Calumet on the other hand...
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Jessops in Glasgow is shocking bad these days. I'd hate to go in and buy something blind.
 
When I worked at Comet, all the staff we had were hired based on areas where they actually knew what they were talking about. And we were kept to those areas. Obviously in November/December they do have some xmas temps who are jus tthere to help.

Also, my local Jessops in Chester are brilliantly helpful and knowledgable. They helped when I was looking at purchases and when ever Im passing I go and have a chat and see whats new and so on. They know what they are talking about and are helpful, and even though I told them I would bepurchasing on their website, the help was 100%.

I still work in retail and understand how some people get frustrated. But these companies sometimes just need staff, and everyone has to start someplace. Just because they havent the years of experience that some of you guys have, isnt their fault really.

I work for a outdoor retailer and knew b****r all about it when I started.

Anyhoo to the OP, he could be spot on but we dont know the details or what cameras. Could be down to digital/optical zoom, focal lengths and other possible factors
 
My girlfriend seemed to fair well in Jessops in Bury St Edmunds recently as I only told her her the model of what I wanted. They were punching the extras really hard anyone going in not knowing what they wanted could come out with alot more than they bargained for.

But it's all the warranties and memory cards are where they make their money.
 
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I bought a bridge a while ago and I had similar experience we went to three different stores comet included, and in all of them I ended up knowing more about the cameras than the salesman.
Even worse was one day I went into a jessops to buy a reflector. The manager came over personally to help me. He first couldn't get the reflector out its bag, then later said it takes a bit of practice until you can put it back into the bag. I asked if he could show me how to do it, he politely said: Ofcourse I can
Then tried to put it back and didn't get it at all, gave it to an other salesman who has watching, amused at his boss not managing to put it back. It took the other salesman 10 seconds to put it back **** needless to say amused us greatly.
 
Comet are mostly electrical box shifters, but realistically, most of us will have made a detailed investigation into products before we commit to buying something like a camera, or accessory. In which case we're bound to know more than a salesman.
Now, with a punter in the shop, most good salespersons wouldn't let that person out without a purchase. Instant availability (there's nothing like having it in your hands ) and the ease of returning it in the case of any issues. I know I've paid a small premium for these reasons before.
 
Byker28i said:
most of us will have made a detailed investigation into products before we commit to buying something like a camera, or accessory. In which case we're bound to know more than a salesman.
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this

its one of the other angles where the web can kill the high street, knowledge is now available to all..

when someone can go into a store and with their mobile phone find out as much info as the salesperson aswell as find the best price, its a non starter for the poor staff..
 
I should really have wrote general salesperson :)

Products change all the time so I have sympathy at times for the salesperson who's expected to know everything about all products. Comet for example must stock thousands of products in their range.
 
Agree that is is near impossible to know about all the products in a Comet store so the best approach would be honesty rather than the BS that usually occurs.

The best a store could do for a customer is to provide a decision analysis form and then provide a database that matches the form. For example tick all the features that are must haves, and then compare with the products that match. That instantly gets your choice down to a set of items that would cover your needs and removes guesswork and emotional swaying because a product is cuter. The choice can then be made on which item is preferred just because it is (they will all be okay for requirement)
Of course you could do this at home before going to the store which makes up the detailed investigation mentioned above.
 
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huh, Basingstoke is pants - shops are dire and there's little choice of anything. we have one camera shop (Jessops) and one music shop....give me Newcastle back any day :(
 
Was looking to spend some vouchers in Jessops today, until i realised that the memory card that i could get on Amazon for £25 was £69.95 on Jessops website, not only that, but they don't even let you use your vouchers online.

Brilliant, remind why they struggle again!?!? :lol:
 
Comet have a compare system that staff can use. or they did when i was there
 
I am lucky, i also have a really great local independent store that i use, very friendly and they know there stuff.:)
 
just to let everyone know the cameras were the
Nikon Coolpix P500 and
Panasonic Lumix DMC-FZ45.
 
I just realised...

Poor comet staff are always working late, trying out the kit so they know more about it. I mean - I've seen them arranging hundreds of cameras and freezing thousands of ice cubes into a star, so they could have a star lit by flashes, or a techy christmas tree.

Or aren't we to believe everything on TV? :D
 
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