Jessops in administration, won't accept gift vouchersCamera retailer Jessops placed in administration
09 January 2013
Troubled high-street camera retailer Jessops has been placed in administration, putting thousands of jobs at risk.
Jessops has appointed PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) following a collapse in finances, and says it won't accept Jessops store vouchers or accept goods being returned to shops.
Read our guide to the Jessops store closure and advice on Jessops customer vouchers.
Jessops vouchers not accepted
PwC said that the retailer 'is not in a position to honour customer vouchers or to accept returned goods'.
Jessops has 192 stores on the high street, but has faced increasing competition from online retailers and a steady decline in consumers buying digital cameras. The rise in use of camera phones has also seen Jessops struggle over the past few years.
The collapse of Jessops follows an unsuccessful attempt to secure funding to keep the camera retailer out of administration.
There are likely to be store closures, according to PwC, and no guarantee that trading will continue. It said that Jessops' position had deteriorated in the run up the Christmas, and a lack of sufficient funding as well as a credit squeeze by its suppliers meant administration was the only option left for the troubled brand.
'Trading is stores is hoped to continue today but is critically dependent on these on-going discussions. However, in the current economic climate it is inevitable that there will be store closures,' said PwC.
Jessops collapse - your rights
The collapse of Jessops could impact Jessops vouchers, and the ability to return goods you've purchased.
If you have a Jessops voucher, PwC has said that Jessops won't be accepting these. You'll need to make a claim in writing to the administrators to attempt to get the full value of the voucher back, and a claim could take some time.
If you've purchased a camera from Jessops that is faulty and it is within the first year of purchase, you'll need to check the manufacturer's warranty to get it repaired or replaced. If Jessops continues to trade, you may be able to get a replacement or refund under the Sale of Goods Act.
If you have an extended warranty, you may still be able to use it if cover is actually provided by a third-party such as an insurer. Check your warranty terms and conditions.
Read our Which? guide to your rights with Jessops for action you'll need to take, including template letters.
- Understand your consumer rights when a retailer goes into administration
- Know your rights when shopping. Read our guide to the Sale of Goods Act
- Read our digital camera reviews for alternatives to buying a digital camera
