Paging Champ.

I think I had one in the 1980's so Tamron have been making decent lenses for
a long time. The results you couldn't complain about. The zoom and focus
speeds were rather slow, but it was a manual lens of course and that was a
function of the user ;o)

Looks like Jessops are going to fail unless a white knight comes in. Damn
shame, they are only into the banks for 2 mill. but said banks are ruining
them.

 

It would be a shame - Ive found them to be a good firm.

I suspect Jessops also suffers from the same short-sighted idiots that
are the blight of many other high street chains - i.e. people who come
in to choose what they want and then buy it cheaper from some
internet-only firm.

 

<Raises hand>

But usually just with WHSmith

There is a recession on, you know ..

Paul

 

They tried to go up against Curry's et all rather than keeping the
(auto)focus on the enthusiastic amateur and semi-pro.

 

Ah, but they're not internet only. I assume, for example, you wouldn't
browse through a book in WH Smith and then buy it from Amazon.

 

I think that's exactly what he was saying.

 

I certainly would.

If WH Smiths don't offer me some added value to compensate for their
higher price, then that's their problem. Same for Jessops.

If Jessops management failed to predict and adapt to online shopping,
that's their problem. Other retailers managed quite happily.

 

While I understand the point you make, I was helmet shopping this
morning and a Caberg Justissimo GT was 275 EUR in the local bike
emporium but a mere £140 on-line.

No matter how much one wishes to support local business, that's one hell
of a mark-up.

Of course, part of that can be attributed to the general high pricing
and lack of on-line competition in this country.

 

They do - they have all their books on display so you can browse
through them. It's part of their service, but you obviosly feel that
you shouldn't need to pay for it even when you use it.

Your choice, but then you have to accept that it's your fault that
snmaller highstreet vendors can't survive.

FWIW I value service and knowledge from a vendor/supplier as more
important than the outright price, plus of course the convenience of
just buying the thing there and then rather than having to go through
the extra hassle of going home, ordering it, waiting for it to arrive
and, depending on size, having to arrange delivery or collection. Far
to omuch like hard work, if instead I can just pop into a shop and buy
something.

 

That's adding nothing to the sale, since it's just a by-product of their
business model, not a reason to buy there.

If you flip through a book in one store, decide not to buy it there and
then for whatever reason, then later decide you do want it - will you go
back to that same store for it? Or just buy it wherever's convenient?

So do I - it's one of those value-adds - which is why I will tend to use
small high street independents where I'll actually get some service and
knowledge. You've been away from the UK too long if you think you'll get
that in WHS or Jessops or any other shopping-centre-chain, though...

 

I've had excellent service and advice from both WH Smith and Jessops.
Perhaps there's something about you which discourages assistants from
being helpful.

 

Indeed. And it's entirely your choice whether or not it's worth paying
that large a mark-up in order to be able to try on the helmet before
buying.

 

I'm very happy for you.

Unlikely, since I seem to manage just fine in most stores other than the
big shopping-centre chains.

 

I bought one of these...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380150674907

from that seller a few weeks back on Ginge's recommendation. It's
excellent. Admittedly, they were 20 quid cheaper then. But I'd still
say it's worth the money

And you'd be supporting a local independent camera shop, just over the
internet.

 

Cheers, but it's a bit more than I want to pay. There was quite a
nice one in Jessops for 45 quid.

 

I've bought stuff from these people twice now.. cracking service and a
local independant co.

http://www.morrisphoto.co.uk/productslist~categoryid~135~sub~Backpacks~selection~4.html

My advice is buy something a bit bigger than you reckon you'll need...
as it will get filled at some point by an impulse purchase..

 

That's pleasingly good. Cheers.

Noted, ta.

 

I don't think I'll shed much of a tear if some of the characterless
identikit high street chains die out. They bet their business on a
retail bubble driven by cheap credit - more fool them.

 

Look at the Hama range. They don't scream "expensive gear within" like
the Lowepro stuff. I bought the 465 after a recommendation from Ginge.
Got it from Amazon for much cheapness. I can fit the body and 5 lenses
into it and some extra bits as well. There's a bigger version to include
laptop if you wanted. After several months of use, I'm still very pleased
with it.

 

Doh... I mean Kata.