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[danbroad]

Imposing sharper daily sales targets on staff is fine as long as your shop physically handles enough traffic to do this. Certainly I can think of a few Jessop shops where some days they'd seem lucky to make £30 across the whole store.. empty shelves, empty shop...

And there's the major problem - back to the property issue again. Jessops just can't exist with their current property debt. Most folks don't impulse buy higher end cameras, and a great many with an interest in photography are also tech-savvy; they use the internet, looking at review sites and comparing prices. Not only did the internet provide us with 24-hour shopping, it provided us with the information to make the best of it.

No longer does the general consumer need a copy of Which? magazine and a half-hour to telephone around, and any retailers left pedalling the 1980's/1990's models of business are crumbling fast.

 

[cyclone]

That's fine in theory but slashing profit margins (as they have already done with camera bodies) doesn't necessarily equate to more profit, it may mean more turnover, but turnover doesn't pay the bills, profit does.

I can't believe that it's so difficult to understand.

Profit does pay bills, that's why I'm saying increase it. Profit margin doesn't as that's just a figure waiting to happen.

It seems the point STILL hasn't come across.
I'm NOT saying slash prices across the store, I've said that at least once before.
I'm saying give the staff the authority to close a sale using a discount if necessary rather than lose the sale. THAT'S IT.

No putting tickets everywhere, 25% off this half price that. If somebody asks for a 10% discount and there is still GP in the transaction then let the staff do it!

NO STOREWIDE PRICE SLASHES. NO SELLING NEGATIVE GP. JUST SALESPEOPLE ALLOWED TO SELL.

I know they've done it with bodies, that's called a loss leader, although there won't be a loss in it I promise you that.

 

[Flash In The Pan]

I can't believe that it's so difficult to understand.

Profit does pay bills, that's why I'm saying increase it. Profit margin doesn't as that's just a figure waiting to happen.

It seems the point STILL hasn't come across.
I'm NOT saying slash prices across the store, I've said that at least once before.
I'm saying give the staff the authority to close a sale using a discount if necessary rather than lose the sale. THAT'S IT.

I already get that in Jessops, all you need to do is ask

 

[cyclone]

Then you've found a good one.
Tell them to go educate the rest of the organisation.

P.S. I'm going out for dinner, then to Silverstone for 3 days, so that may be my last word on this.

 

[Splog]

I can't believe that it's so difficult to understand.

Profit does pay bills, that's why I'm saying increase it. Profit margin doesn't as that's just a figure waiting to happen.

It seems the point STILL hasn't come across.
I'm NOT saying slash prices across the store, I've said that at least once before.
I'm saying give the staff the authority to close a sale using a discount if necessary rather than lose the sale. THAT'S IT.

No putting tickets everywhere, 25% off this half price that. If somebody asks for a 10% discount and there is still GP in the transaction then let the staff do it!

NO STOREWIDE PRICE SLASHES. NO SELLING NEGATIVE GP. JUST SALESPEOPLE ALLOWED TO SELL.

I know they've done it with bodies, that's called a loss leader, although there won't be a loss in it I promise you that.

Also, just to add to that! If jessops are in debt to £50m then turning stock into cash is something that needs to happen.

I've been looking at the price of a 580DX and Jessops £440.00 , Norfolk Camera Centre £379.99, Warehouse Express £379.99 That's £60.01 more expensive how can they possibly justify that

 

[blue max]

Also, just to add to that! If jessops are in debt to £50m then turning stock into cash is something that needs to happen.

I've been looking at the price of a 580DX and Jessops £440.00 , Norfolk Camera Centre £379.99, Warehouse Express £379.99 That's £60.01 more expensive how can they possibly justify that

They gamble on the sucker market, but they are thin on the ground these days.

 

[Jelster]

I am going to have to eat my words followed with a a good helping of humble pie.......

Today whilst in London I dropped in to a Jessops, I was looking at a 50D & a 70-200 f4 L. Most places have the pair at about £820 for the camera body, and £549 for the lens which works out at £1369.

The nice guy in Jessops at Charring Cross did me a deal for £1320. More so, he was obviously a keen photographer too, and we were chatting about 20 year old cameras.

So, I take it back, there are some decent branches out there - I only wish the Uxbridge branch was one of them....

Steve

 

[StewartR]

I'm saying give the staff the authority to close a sale using a discount if necessary rather than lose the sale. THAT'S IT.

Mmm. It really is that simple.

Or at least, it should be. Today I was trying to buy a Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS USM. I needed one in a hurry, and I needed it delivered to Inverness tomorrow. Price no object. I was AMAZED how difficult it was. I rang around several retailers, basically trying to force £4000 down their throats, and nobody wanted it.

Best excuse? "We don't do a next-day delivery, and even if we did, our couriers have already picked up from us today." Honestly. You might think that for £4000 they'd be able to pick one off the shelf, take it down to the post office and send it special delivery. But apparently that's either too difficult, or it's against the rules.

In the end, I just couldn't do it. The only option I have is to go into London myself tomorrow, buy one over the counter, and take it to the post office myself. That'll take half the day. Grrrrr!

 

[Marc]

Mmm. It really is that simple.

Or at least, it should be. Today I was trying to buy a Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS USM. I needed one in a hurry, and I needed it delivered to Inverness tomorrow. Price no object. I was AMAZED how difficult it was. I rang around several retailers, basically trying to force £4000 down their throats, and nobody wanted it.

Best excuse? "We don't do a next-day delivery, and even if we did, our couriers have already picked up from us today." Honestly. You might think that for £4000 they'd be able to pick one off the shelf, take it down to the post office and send it special delivery. But apparently that's either too difficult, or it's against the rules.

In the end, I just couldn't do it. The only option I have is to go into London myself tomorrow, buy one over the counter, and take it to the post office myself. That'll take half the day. Grrrrr!

If it was me working for Jessops, I'd have taken your four grand, got into my car and delivered it to your door myself, wherever you were!

 

[Uneducated_Rick]

That's fine in theory but slashing profit margins (as they have already done with camera bodies) doesn't necessarily equate to more profit, it may mean more turnover, but turnover doesn't pay the bills, profit does.

In olden days before the internet you had places that would sell 1 item for £100 profit and others that would sell 100 items for £1 profit each.

Now with it being so easy to shop around for a bargain gone are the days of 1 for £100 profit for a lot of shops - and the inability to react for so long to this slump in demand is Jessops undoing

 

[HoppyUK]

Also, just to add to that! If jessops are in debt to £50m then turning stock into cash is something that needs to happen.

I've been looking at the price of a 580DX and Jessops £440.00 , Norfolk Camera Centre £379.99, Warehouse Express £379.99 That's £60.01 more expensive how can they possibly justify that

To be fair, on CameraPriceBuster, Jessops is £379 for a 580EX2 using their £20 discount code, not £440. But there is always somebody cheaper - Kerso does it for £280.

I am going to have to eat my words followed with a a good helping of humble pie.......

Today whilst in London I dropped in to a Jessops, I was looking at a 50D & a 70-200 f4 L. Most places have the pair at about £820 for the camera body, and £549 for the lens which works out at £1369.

The nice guy in Jessops at Charring Cross did me a deal for £1320. More so, he was obviously a keen photographer too, and we were chatting about 20 year old cameras.

So, I take it back, there are some decent branches out there - I only wish the Uxbridge branch was one of them....

Steve

That's a damn good price. Good for Jessops! The best on CameraPriceBuster is £1334 (Amazon often come out top).

But like I said above, there is always somebody cheaper, and Kerso is doing the 70-200 4 L for £465, which is quite a lot less. Not sure what he'd quote on a 50D.

Which shows just how hard it is the play the price game, and comparisons are always very tricky. Kerso's gear doesn't come through the UK importer, and he doesn't charge VAT. It's all perfectly legit, new sealed boxes with full international warranty, and he's working a clever loophole presumably not open to most traders, but either way the price to you and me is very substantially lower.

 

[EdMoss]

Mmm. It really is that simple.

Or at least, it should be. Today I was trying to buy a Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS USM. I needed one in a hurry, and I needed it delivered to Inverness tomorrow. Price no object. I was AMAZED how difficult it was. I rang around several retailers, basically trying to force £4000 down their throats, and nobody wanted it.

Best excuse? "We don't do a next-day delivery, and even if we did, our couriers have already picked up from us today." Honestly. You might think that for £4000 they'd be able to pick one off the shelf, take it down to the post office and send it special delivery. But apparently that's either too difficult, or it's against the rules.

In the end, I just couldn't do it. The only option I have is to go into London myself tomorrow, buy one over the counter, and take it to the post office myself. That'll take half the day. Grrrrr!

But how much profit is there on the £4000 sale? I'm guessing not as much as you think hence the slow take up of the £4000 sale.
My mate who owns a bike shop selling bikes up to £6000, he makes more profit on a £1500 bike than he does on a £5000 one.

 

[Splog]

If it was me working for Jessops, I'd have taken your four grand, got into my car and delivered it to your door myself, wherever you were!

and so would I The company I work for spend a small fortune delivering via taxis when an item is needed urgently, Customers really appreciate and more importantly pay for the service If we said 'NO' can't be done! firstly I would be out of a job and secondly the company would be no more and I would be out of work ....

 

[Splog]

To be fair, on CameraPriceBuster, Jessops is £379 for a 580EX2 using their £20 discount code, not £440. But there is always somebody cheaper - Kerso does it for £280.

TBH, after reading this thread I just looked in the latest issue of Practical photographer magazine and that's where I got my prices from...No mention of discount vouchers..:shrug:

 

[Ceejay]

: Customers really appreciate and more importantly pay for the service If we said 'NO' can't be done! firstly I would be out of a job and secondly the company would be no more and I would be out of work ....

Maybe somebody should show this to Jessops.

Apologies for precising (spelling?) your thread but i thought it explained it rather well.
C

 

[princeclan]

Personally i dont think they should give staff the right to drop prices to get the sale. I used to be a line manager for a well known telecommunications company and when i went in the amount of salespeople that were dropping the prices of phones below cost just to up their own commision was unreal.

This method of giving them flexibility would draw out these kind of people to do the same. Not good for profit. No point in doing something that makes no money. My action plan for jessops would be:

Have a clear price that is competitive
Stop trying to get the "sucker". They no longer exist due to the awareness of the internet
Cut back on costs
Get people back on their side with good attitude, good prices, and add some value to the sale that doesnt necessarily cost (free training course)

As they are going i cant see them here for xmas

Matt

 

[Flash In The Pan]

To be fair, on CameraPriceBuster, Jessops is £379 for a 580EX2 using their £20 discount code, not £440. But there is always somebody cheaper - Kerso does it for £280.



That's a damn good price. Good for Jessops! The best on CameraPriceBuster is £1334 (Amazon often come out top).

But like I said above, there is always somebody cheaper, and Kerso is doing the 70-200 4 L for £465, which is quite a lot less. Not sure what he'd quote on a 50D.

Which shows just how hard it is the play the price game, and comparisons are always very tricky. Kerso's gear doesn't come through the UK importer, and he doesn't charge VAT. It's all perfectly legit, new sealed boxes with full international warranty, and he's working a clever loophole presumably not open to most traders, but either way the price to you and me is very substantially lower.

I'm struggling to see how Kerso legally manages to avoid paying VAT, care to explain?

 

[Marcel]

Flash, Hoppy said he doesnt charge it, not that he doesn't pay it

 

[Flash In The Pan]

Flash, Hoppy said he doesnt charge it, not that he doesn't pay it

I would imagine he sells more than £67000 worth of gear per anumn, so any of his sales would be liable for VAT, so either a) he's avoiding paying the VAT (which is a criminal offence) or he's running a large scale business without declaring it to HMRC, which again is a :nono:

Either way, you can't compare his prices with those of Jessops, it's simply not a level playing field...

 

[princeclan]

By the looks of his ebay store he doesnt sell more than 67k Its virtually empty

 

[Flash In The Pan]

By the looks of his ebay store he doesnt sell more than 67k Its virtually empty

I think you'll find he sells most of his gear via forums like this one....

 

[StewartR]

Today I was trying to buy a Canon EF 300mm f/2.8 L IS USM. I needed one in a hurry, and I needed it delivered to Inverness tomorrow. Price no object. I was AMAZED how difficult it was. I rang around several retailers, basically trying to force £4000 down their throats, and nobody wanted it.

Best excuse? "We don't do a next-day delivery, and even if we did, our couriers have already picked up from us today." Honestly. You might think that for £4000 they'd be able to pick one off the shelf, take it down to the post office and send it special delivery. But apparently that's either too difficult, or it's against the rules.

In the end, I just couldn't do it. The only option I have is to go into London myself tomorrow, buy one over the counter, and take it to the post office myself. That'll take half the day. Grrrrr!

If it was me working for Jessops, I'd have taken your four grand, got into my car and delivered it to your door myself, wherever you were!

and so would I The company I work for spend a small fortune delivering via taxis when an item is needed urgently, Customers really appreciate and more importantly pay for the service If we said 'NO' can't be done! firstly I would be out of a job and secondly the company would be no more and I would be out of work ....

Just to clarify, my comment wasn't about Jessops specifically. They didn't have one in stock. Nor did Warehouse Express, who I like to think might have been willing to go the extra mile if asked. But I did ring several retailers, including one with whom I've spent £25,000 in the last year.

I was just trying to make the point that it's not just Jessops where some of the "sales" people don't seem particularly bothered whether they get your business or not. I wasn't even asking for a discount - I didn't particularly care what it cost (within reason). But they still wouldn't bite.

 

[StewartR]

On the subject of haggling ..... I have a shopping list for expanding my business this month. It's a l-o-n-g shopping list. Several tens of thousands of £££s. Lots of nice glass. So I gave it to the manager of my local Jessops along with a target price for each lens, based on what I can see available on Camera Price Buster. And I told him that if he could hit any of those prices, the sales were his.

He had to consult with the head office (or regional office, or something) sales team, and I'm expecting to hear the results of their deliberations tomorrow. It will be interesting to see the outcome. Are they up for it? We'll see. And the way they approach it might tell us something about Jessops future.....

Update ... they ARE up for it. Good for them.

Still some Is to cross and Ts to dot, but it looks like we're going to have a happy ending here: my local Jessops store gets a big boost to its turnover (and presumably an acceptable boost to its profits, or else they wouldn't be doing this); and I get all the gear I need at very competitive prices without having to spend ages shopping around on the net.

Thumbs up to Jonathon at Jessops Maidenhead!

 

[foodpoison]

Update ... they ARE up for it. Good for them.

Still some Is to cross and Ts to dot, but it looks like we're going to have a happy ending here: my local Jessops store gets a big boost to its turnover (and presumably an acceptable boost to its profits, or else they wouldn't be doing this); and I get all the gear I need at very competitive prices without having to spend ages shopping around on the net.

Thumbs up to Jonathon at Jessops Maidenhead!

Good to hear

 

[48thEagle]

Either way, you can't compare his prices with those of Jessops, it's simply not a level playing field...

Then you could equally argue that Warehouse Express, by not having x amount of stores, therefore x amount of overheads and liabilities can't compare their prices with Jessops, or Amazon, who have many other areas to their business to back up the photography equipment side of things.

You are right, its not a level playing field.