[muscle750]

Had weekend in sunny London whilst my wife decided to study every clothes shop in Oxford street, I went for a walk to Jessops in New Oxford street i was only there afew weeks ago, today they were virtually empty the shelves werelooking pretty much the same as well, Alot of "Managers specials" various lense etc damaged boxes all for more money what u can buy else where, Didnt see any D3 or D300 in there either. No Sb800s either.
So all looking somewhat

[Larne]

It's not just camera shops, the entire high-street electronics industry is in decline - why go to a shop when you can order on the Internet and have it delivered to your door? Plus how can shops with high street rents and service and staff costs compete with an on-line retailer?

I can see a day when high street retailers are a thing of the past and we all complain about how impossible it is to touch and see something before buying it

[AQ]

I am probably as guilty as most when it comes to this. Look in the shops to see what the items are like and then buy on line because it is so much cheaper.

I do not feel that good about doing it but with prices in general going up so fast every penny saved helps. Perhaps the day when the high street is just clothes, shoe and charity shops is not so far away.

[JMitchell]

Although you could then think about making a business where you allow - for a small fee - people to try out various bits of new equipment. Perhaps there's something in that.
Idea Copyright Jack Mitchell (c) 2008

[marcinklysewicz]

i hate shopping in huge markets and i don't like buying important equipment over the internet (expensive one). because when you need help it takes time to get answer or sensor cleaning or advice. and when it's your local shop it's easy.
i hope it'll stay as it is - i mean, i like local small shops.

[AQ]

I know what you mean but I recently paid just over £200 for a Canon fit Sigma 10-20 mm from Onestop but Jessops was quoting £305. Amazon UK is between £285 and £315 and that is still buying by internet. Unfortunately I cannot see highstreet photographic shops surviving

[muscle750]

Seems like the people at the top couldnt run a bath..let alone a once major high street retailer.
Get rid of the rubbish and start again selling blow up pigs with 3 legs.

[ArtByStereo]

Anthraquinone - how were your dealings with One Stop? I've seen their listings on Google but don't they ship from Hong Kong? Were there any extra costs and did you get a proper guarantee/warranty?

It amazes me what value you can get 2nd hand as gear becomes superceded. Most of the pictures on my gallery are using a Panasonic Lumix FZ20 which can be had on ebay for about £70-£80 (I paid nearly £400 new). I won't sell mine because, as a second camera, it is worth far more than £70 to me and I've always got excellent results with it. I've just invested in a Canon 20D for £255 on ebay. OK, quality lenses are going to cost me a lot more but I couldn't justify a 40D at double the cost new (or much more on the high street).

However, quality lenses will retain a vast amount of their value so when purchased 2nd hand you only really "rent" them for the cost of postage.

[AQ]

Hi - how is Atherstone doing - My wife was born there a few years ago. We do not go back now as all her family have left

Re Onestop - Yes they ship from HK. The guarantee can vary with the item but I recently paid about 66% of the UK cost for a lens so I will take a chance and "self insure".

There have been a couple of very recent threads about Onestop you should be able to find them easily enough. In general the feelings are very positive. After reading that if you need a bit more info ask again.

[Markulous]

Originally Posted by Larne

I can see a day when high street retailers are a thing of the past and we all complain about how impossible it is to touch and see something before buying it

Don't forget that in the UK the Distance Selling regulations allow you up to seven working days within which you may return the goods without even stating your reasons for the return

[PeteT]

It is no surprise that high street shops are in decline, especially in the high tech sector - after all, try going into most shops and asking the "assistant" to answer a question about the product. In my experience you are either going to draw a blank, or be told a load of rubbish.

The number of times I have been in a high street shop only to hear the assistants spouting rubbish in the guise of "advice" to a customer!

I stopped buying tech goods from the high street when they stopped providing knowledgeable and helpful service, which in my mind is what justifies the higher price.