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If you're after a deal in London on consumer electronics, cameras and PCs,
then its a good idea to first visit Tottenham Court Road. Starting prices, which significantly
undercut those offered in swankier West End stores, can be reduced even further by determined
haggling. Of course, you have to do some homework in advance (checking up on other prices locally)
as these guys know their stuff! However, even stores like Jessop's are happy to do deals, as we
managed to knock £500 off the RRP of a top-of-the-range digital camcorder within five
minutes. It does help if you pay cash, although that's not always necessary either!
Audio-Visual Stores in the West-End
88 Oxford Street, W1N 1BX, Tel: 020 7636 8511, Website: www.dixons.com, Tube: Oxford Circus/Tottenham Court
Road
If you're after leading brands, but not too worried about knowledgeable (or indeed courteous)
staff, then Dixons is worth considering. With two stores on Oxford Street (a larger premises is
located at Marble Arch), the high-street chain offers a good range SLR/video cameras, hi-fi and
TVs. That said, ask a difficult question about a product and you'll either get a shrug of the
shoulders, or the "hang on I'll just get the manual for you" approach to salesmanship.
West-End Computer Stores
70 Tottenham Court Road, W1P 9AP, Tel 020 7916 3110 (for PCs) and 32 Rathbone Place, W1P 5RY
(Games), Website: www.cex.co.uk,
Tube: Tottenham Court Road,
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As well as stocking second-hand consoles (including PS2), games and manuals, the Computer Exchange
is a handy place to track down new/used PC components such as motherboards, CPUs and graphics
cards. Software prices are reasonable, with savings to be made on certain titles (though Adobe and
Macromedia products are still sold close to RRP). DVD is now also part of the company's portfolio,
with a good selection of new and recent releases (mainly Region 2). Well-worth a visit if you're
looking to give a new lease of life to a tired old system, or just want some gaming fun on the
cheap.
6-17
Tottenham Court Road, W1T 1BH, Tel: 020 7467 6000, Website: www.microanvika.co.uk, Tube: Tottenham Court
Road,
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Boasting three Tottenham Court Road stores (the above, plus no.s 53-54 and 245), together with
a further presence in Selfridges and Harrods, Micro Anvika is a well-known and respected West End PC/software
and consumer electrical retailer. However, as prices (for software especially) tend to be higher than other stores nearby,
determined haggling is usually required just to match - or slightly undercut - potential deals
brokered elsewhere. Customer service ranges from fair to hurried, while the range of products on
offer is good.
Morgan Computer Company
64-72 New Oxford Street, WC1A 1AX, Tel: 020 7255 2115, Website: www.morgancomputers.co.uk,
Tube: Tottenham Court Road,
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Dealing mainly in surplus or end-of-line computer equipment, Morgan stock everything from palmtops
to digital cameras. Alongside perfectly usable Intel Core 2 Duo notebooks from Toshiba and
HP, there's a
good range of desktops from Compaq, Dell, Maxdata and Philips. Printers,
faxes and scanners can be especially good value here.
West-End Hi-Fi Stores
173 Station Road, Edgware, Middlesex, HA8 7JX, Tel: 020 8952 5535,
Website: www.musical-images.co.uk,
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Stocking hi-fi products from top-end manufacturers such as Acoustic Energy, Quad and
Roksan,
Musical Images also specialise in home-cinema, being able to custom-design (and install) even the
most demanding of set-ups. Unfortunately, the lease on the company's Covent Garden store
ran out in early 2008, meaning that Musical Images now trade from stores in Edgware and
Beckenham.
29 Bloomsbury Way, WC1A 2SL, Tel: 0207 831 2888, Website: www.richersounds.co.uk, Tube: Holborn/Tottenham Court Road,
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Great for anyone wanting to get into hi-fi separates cheaply, Richer Sounds buy their stock in huge
quantities, meaning that customers can pick up good deals on a wide range of AV products.
DVD recorders, loudspeakers and home cinema amps tend mostly to be entry-level machines, although many
are great products in their own right. And, as well as big name brands such as Phillips,
Eltax,
Mission, Sony and Tannoy, the company also stock products from award-winning US/Korean based
manufacturer Sherwood (which are distributed exclusively by Richer Sounds). In particular, their
AV receivers/amps are outstanding value. Now with nine stores in London.
144-148 Grays Inn Road, Holborn, WC1X 8AX, Tel: 020 7837 7540, Website:
www.sevenoakssoundandvision.co.uk,
Tube: Chancery Lane,
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Along with some rather nifty widescreen plasma TVs, this upmarket hi-fi retailer stocks a
wide-range of AV products including home-cinema amps, DVD players, loudspeakers and CD players.
Top-of-the-range systems include those from Cyrus, B & W, Denon, Mission, Marantz and Sony.
Along with knowledgeable staff, the company also carry out installations for larger set-ups such as
THX home cinema systems. With eleven stores in and around London.
Central London Photographic Stores
Suite 240-241, The Linen Hall, 162-168 Regent Street, W1R 5TB, Tel: 020 7734
6629, Website: www.cameraclinic.co.uk,
Tube: Piccadilly Circus,
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Repairs for most types of camera including APS, compact, 35mm and medium-format. Video cameras are
also catered for, with the Camera Clinic being authorised service agents for Panasonic and JVC
equipment.
63-69 New Oxford Street, WC1A 1DG, Tel: 020 7240 6077, Website: www.jessop.co.uk, Tube: Tottenham Court Road,
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Along with this huge flagship store, Jessop's also has a "classics" shop located on Great Russell
Street and other smaller branches nationwide. If you're after the very latest (or best) equipment,
then it's likely you'll find it here. Along with a fine selection of 35 mm cameras, the retailer
also has what is probably the best range of digital gear going with editing suites, lens
attachments, memory cards and connecting cables. With a superb range of used equipment too, it
makes for a near unbeatable photo-shopping experience. And, if you prefer to shop online, the
store's comprehensive website stocks over 20,000 different products!
93 Tottenham Court Road, W1T 4HL, Tel: 020 7387 6500, Website: www.kingsleyphoto.co.uk,
Tube: Goodge Street,
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A highly likeable and professional business which, as well as selling hi-end equipment to paparazzi
and studio photographers, caters for lesser mortals after compact and APS cameras. As Nikon
specialists, Kingsley's carries almost the entire range of the company's camera bodies, along with
all manner of lenses and accessories. With Leica, Minolta, Pentax and Canon equipment also stocked
(plus digital, second-hand and processing sections) it's a great place to head if you're after
quality photographic equipment.
187 Kings Road, SW3 5EB, Tel: 0207 351 7178, Website: www.digistor.co.uk, Tube:
South Kensington,
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As one of the country's largest independent retailers, PhotoOptix does a good line in new and
second-hand equipment, with plenty of accessories to boot. Whether you're just after a photo album
or the latest in digital technology, it offers a wide selection of goods including some nifty
specialist compacts from Contax. Binoculars, tripods, bags and flashguns also available.
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