Fuji FinePix A500 won't take photos (by 3 users)

I can take one or two photos, then the camera refuses to take any more, as if the batteries are dead. I've replaced the batteries twice with new batteries and tried another chip, but the same problem occurs. I can flick back through photos on the chip, but maybe one in ten I get a "read error" message and black screen. I haven't tried a brand new chip, but both chips I've tried have plenty of space left.

The camera is new. I picked it up in Shanghai when I was there on holiday in September, but obvious I can't take it back to the store where I bought it (#1 Government Department Store, so presumably a reliable source).