widescreen centre absolute rubbish...AVOID

[adoyle]

just used widescreen in london to purchase some emergency stock,
they were overpriced and the service was tragic...they make 6 pounds per roll profit on a roll of vision stock,you would think they would like new business...obviously not...

:roll:

[BK]

Well, don't forget London is a very expensive city to do business in, and you should be "thankful" they are there when your were desperate.

Bill

[Angus]

The Widescreen Centre are indeed "overpriced" compared with online retailers or major chains........this is because they have a shop in Central London in a major shopping location and are NOT a major chain!

The one time I visited, a few years ago now, Jake was too busy to deal with all my requests but he called Tony Shapps who was able to complete my transaction.

If you want the convenience of their location and expertese then buy there...if not then buy from an online retailer.

They certainly do not make £6 per roll of film when you factor in their overheads.

[aj]

just used widescreen in london to purchase some emergency stock,
they were overpriced and the service was tragic...they make 6 pounds per roll profit on a roll of vision stock,you would think they would like new business...obviously not...

:roll:

Do you specially make one of your sparse logons to post this?

Didn't you offer here some UWL lenses or MFX film and couldn't you be bothered with giving a reply.

This feels familiar then

you would think they would like new business...obviously not...

[Taqi]

I've always found them to be very helpful. Sure you can get film cheaper elsewhere, but that's no different to any photographic store - you can always find it cheaper online, if it isn't an emergency.

[reflex]

It makes sense to purchase things from the few businesses who still offer Super 8 (Widescreen Ctr, Pro8mm, Wittner, etc). If you don't, they will cease to exist.

Do we really want that? Small gauge moviemaking is a niche market, and niche market products are expensive. I'm sure Widescreen could cut costs considerably by moving their shop onto the high street of Little Codswallop, but they'd be out of business in a month.

[Muckymuck]

I must add my support of the Widescreen Centre here- They were the ones who kept Super 8 alive before the days of the internet retailer-every British camera retailer who did not stock Super 8 would always have their address to hand to advise people who wanted Super 8. What is more, they are the only place in Britain to have the full range of Kodak Super 8's plus a variety of Standard 8, Single 8, accessories, reels etc.

Yes their prices are higher than most and but it is a SHOP not an internet venture. It is something of a Mecca for me every time I'm in London.

I have always found Jake very helpful and friendly. I feel the title of the thread is something of a defamation and would urge you to re-word it. Casual users of this site may be put off from them now- not very good for the Super 8 community. Well done! Not!

[adoyle]

:roll:[/quote]

Do you specially make one of your sparse logons to post this?

Didn't you offer here some UWL lenses or MFX film and couldn't you be bothered with giving a reply.

This feels familiar then

you would think they would like new business...obviously not...

[/quote]

i gave plenty of stock to various members...velvia...agfa apx etc....
the lens were sent to one od the site admin people all 10 of them...
so it does not feel familar...

[RCBasher]

Well this post has done me a good favour...I didn't know they existed and yet they are only 35mins down the other end of the Metropolitan tube line from me

I see they list an adaptor for £25 that I was intending to spend probably most of tomorrow on my lathe and milling machine to make....guess I'll be paying them a visit..or two...or three...

Frank

[Angus]

I view the Widescreen Centre in a similar light to a specialist hi-fi shop. The prices are higher compared to a chain or online retailer, but the staff at the shop know about what they're selling, can offer advice and even give demonstrations...and they have in stock items that would otherwise be hard to find.

You just have to accept that you are paying extra for the location of the retail shop and the knowledge of the staff.

Mind you if they are giving poor service then that is not excusable...the higher prices are justifiable on the grounds of the retail shop and the service.

[Alastair]

Adoyle has made his feelings about The Widescreen Centre quite clear in the title he chose for the thread; I would be sorry if others, especially those who have not dealt with them in the past, were put off dealing with them in the future because of his experiences. My own have been rather different: I have always found the staff and the service friendly, helpful and informative, and I have benefitted many times from their central London location, their well-stocked shelves and their expertise. As far as I know, they are one of the very few retail shops selling super-8 filmstock, accessories and equipment over the counter still in existence. As has already been said, in pre-internet times they were an invaluable source of information and supplies in what was already a dwindling format. In my view, they have made a big contribution to the continued survival of super-8 in the UK.

Personally, I hope they continue trading for a long time.

Alastair