The Vitamin Shoppe

What a bunch of snobs. Went in to look for B100 as prescribed by my doctor. Well they had B100 but my previous purchases had been from Costco and the formula was different and lacking some items. I asked the clerk (manager) if he was familiar with the Kirkland Costco B100 so I could find out if some of the ingredients were available in another brand. He just looked down at me and sarcastically stated, «I don’t shop at Costco», like it was some peasant store.
I would think that this type of store would have some experience in vitamin comparison. But he was too stuck up to give assistance.
Won’t be going back to the vitamin shop again.

I went in this morning to get vitamins. Had $$ ready to spend.
Approached the lady at the counter who was looking over credit card slips — I was the only person in the store — and asked about a vitamin that would supplement my upcoming trip to Cuba where I will be drinking a lot and cutting beef out of my diet (mostly seafood, rice, beans) while blowing my trumpet by day. She asked me ‘alcohol??’ While making a funny face. I told her beer and rum for sure and some late nights and early mornings.
‘Our multi-​vitamins are on that far wall’ she said lol that’s one big wall I thought and there must be a difference between all those vitamins.
I walked towards the wall and stopped at the end of the isle. This female employee pushed past me and gave me a ‘pffft’ with her lips. She pointed to a vitamin on a shelf and told me ‘oh, we had this on sale last week I guess it’s not on sale any more.‘
I thanked her and left.
If this place is only for bodybuilders and triathletes then good luck. I am in great shape and only needed a vitamin or vitamins to help me survive long days and long nights in Cuba so I can blow my trumpet and have fun.
The vitamin selection looked plentiful but the customer service was non existent.

If I could give this store location ZERO stars I would.
I love many other vitamin shoppe store locations, but this Los Altos location on El Camino Real has a MAJOR employee problem.
The first time I went to this location on the first day they opened I was helped by a savvy, helpful and friendly employee — a young dark haired man in his 20’s or 30’s who seemed like a fitness instructor or something. He was well informed and helped me find all the many vitamins I was looking for. I was there during the day and there were several other customers, but the employees still made time for everyone.
Unfortunately, when I went to this store again recently in December, I experienced the opposite treatment by an older caucasian lady and man with balding hair. The friendly employee I met before was not there. These new employees both ignored me completely when I asked for help to find a product. They just kept talking to themselves as if I wasn’t there!
I was the only customer in the entire store and the two employees couldn’t take one minute to help me! The only thing the lady said to me at one point when I asked for directions to a particular vitamin was «Go and find it yourself!»
I was there late in the evening. These two employees (I think they had light colored hair and they were tall) actually went out of their way to be rude and not help me. When I asked questions they acted sarcastic and bored and would not give me an answer. They looked miserable and depressed. Depressed or not, that is no way to treat a customer.
The vitamin shoppe will seriously lose lots of valuable customers until they fire these folks.
Warning:
Go to another location or just go to GNC across the street.
peace,
B

Given how unregulated and hype-​crazy the supplement industry is, it’s so important to have good, reliable advice when you buy supplements. Don’t expect that at this store. It’s bad enough that the salesperson was rude and unhelpful, and didn’t know what she was talking about – what’s worse is that she was *insistently* giving me incorrect information and refusing to listen to what I wanted.
(Caveat – It’s possible the other sales reps are better. This happened 8pm on a Wed, so perhaps just avoid that time slot if you want good service /​good advice).
When I walk in, the salesperson, an older Caucasian lady, is on the computer and doesn’t even look up to say hi, even though I’m the only person in the store. I know exactly what I’m looking for, but since she seems absorbed with the computer, I don’t want to bother her. So I walk around the store trying to find the product.
I spend at least 10 minutes searching every aisle in the store. Not once does she look up or ask if I need help. And it’s OBVIOUS I’m having trouble because there are literally only two people in the room – her and me – and I’m pacing back and forth reading product labels. I keep expecting her to offer to help me after she finishes whatever has her attention. No dice.
Finally, I just ask her: «Excuse me, I’m looking for Dextrose or Glucose, do you carry it?»
Her response: «No, you don’t want glucose. You want complex carbs. You can find them in the endurance section.»
«No, I’m specifically looking for a monosaccharide like glucose.»
She keeps arguing with me that I’m wrong, that I don’t know what I really want. And I keep explaining I’m looking specifically for Dextrose, which I know is in their product line because I’ve seen it on their website.
Finally she says, «Nobody wants simple carbs. You want complex carbs.»
I explain to her that people with gut problems, as well as bodybuilders and other groups, often want monosaccharides like dextrose.
Then she says several times dismissively, «Well then just go buy sugar at the grocery store, it’ll be cheaper anyway.»
I tell her that table sugar is sucrose, a disaccharide, and it includes fructose, which I want to avoid. I’m looking specifically for glucose /​dextrose.
«Well we wouldn’t carry anything like that,» she says, without bothering to get up from her computer and check the aisle, which is less than 10 feet away. Again, I know for certain that they do carry it, since it’s on their website, I’m just not sure if it’s in-​stock.
She turns back to the computer and I spend another 5 minutes checking the aisles before hopping over to Whole Foods for much better customer service and equivalent product selection.

They have a great selecting and have what you want when you want. Although, the parking can potentially prove to be difficult if business is busy.

Very nice selections. The staff is always nice.

First time here ’ cause A the Prime didn’t pan out for a product we’ve purchased thru them for months. Kudos, item was on sale; staff very helpful; But: parking non-​existent; however, ok to park at the Holy Foods.

This place is awesome not only does it have everything I need at great prices but the staff is super knowledgable and friendly. Even more impressive their building was recently bought by developers and is being remodeled aka rebuilt with them still staying in it. First the roof is torn off and I think they must be closed… Nope next the walls are removed and its surrounded by a fence … Closed? Nope just past the security guard and over the makeshift walkway are the big smiles of vitamin shoppe!

Ok, this place is pretty amazing. They have a lot of different vitamins and the prices are cheaper than at Whole Foods.
The customer service is truly exceptional here. The people that work here are just SO nice. They went above and beyond to help me find the vitamins that I was looking for by taking time to explain things, look things up and even find me samples of different types of vitamins to try.
When I ended up buying vitamins that I did not like, I brought them back and exchanged them for different ones. It took a few seconds. No questions asked. The customer service rep took back the purchase with a smile.
I love it when employees are so helpful.

I buy protein bars here and they have the ones that I want at a decent price. Service is a bit on the slow side, as often there is only one person working the large store, so if someone is asking for advice or getting tips on product, the wait can be a bit longer than it should.

friday oct 12 2012 i drove 20 mins in traffic during my lunch break to pick something up.
i like to make sure they have what i need in stock so i always call ahead of time.
i asked for the specific product TWICE on the phone and after about 15 mins on the phone the guy with the high voice told me they had it in stock. again i asked twice to be sure. i even checked online prior to calling which shop had this item in stock and they said it was available here.
when i arrived at the shop guess what! of course they didnt have it in stock. only 2 guys were working that day and they both denied talking to someone regarding this product.
i obviously hate wasting my time and gas and they did it

Went in, Went Out! I came in at 9 in the morning just to get the whey protein I so desired (gold standard whey protein 2lb) which I been reading about online, and the staff there was awesome and very Informational, Ryan the cashier that helped me, was very informational about type of proteins to get, and the popular one in demand. Even though he look tired as hell, like about to keel over. He still showed me around to all the different type of protein powders, and gave me a lot of great information on types of whey and the amount of Carbs and fat muscle milks has. Someone should give that guy a raise that’s customer service, when you force your self to be helpful ha!

I started working out again and need to get some supplements. I decided to stop at the Vitamin Shoppe because it was on my way home. I haven’t used supplements for a while and was overwhelmed by the number of items and new supplements in the store. The good thing is I knew I wanted a protein shake and an intra-​workout drink. I spoke to the staff and they gave me suggestions and had even used the products they were suggesting. I asked a lot of questions and they were able to answer them all. I will definitely go back and recommend people go there.

Helpful staff and lots of stuff! It’s very easy to shop in here because it’s clean and neat.

When I need supplements and vitamins and protein powder this is where I usually purchase them.
They have specials at reduced rates on items I use so with the discount and the reduced rates their prices can be pretty competitive. I like that they stock a variety of products to choose from.
They also have a rewards program that gives you credit towards future purchases which comes in the mail as a voucher which does expire within a month or so.
The staff there is very friendly and very helpful.

This store is very nice.
The store itself is large, which means the shelves are not all crowded together. The store is well stocked and they have free samples of different items at the counter. The sales man is very helpful and knows where everything is located, which is a big help in a store this size.
All in all I recommend this store for all your supplemental needs.

If I’m desperate or craving a snack or just browsing to see what the actual item looks like. I go here: P Usually I buy all my products from
or other online sites since it can be $ 10 – 40 cheaper.
If i feel like something sweet but semi-​heatlhy, I grab a protein bar or a drink. (bit overpriced)
The people there are nice, but lack that enthusiasm. And they tend not to notice people at the register since they’re always hiding in the backroom, I usually have to wait 2−5minutes before someone sees me.
But my experiences here have been decent.

Way bigger selection of protein powders and bars etc, only problem is they are slightly more expensive than the GNC right across the street, so i rarely go there unless I want a certain product I know GNC doesn’t have, like Muscle Milk Naturals or something.
Cool store, big too. I’d recommend at least checking out what they have to see if its what you need.

Clean, well stocked store with a knowledgeble, friendly staff, great prices. This where purchase Saint Johns Wort for wellness.

Its ALL about the Living Harvest Hemp Protein. and the best price in town. I tell ya, sometimes it happens, you find something that you never knew you needed and then when you need it, the need is SOOO strong, you’d bow over small children taking their first steps just to get yourself some. This is me on the pursuit of Hemp Protein. Soon enough, i’ll carry it at my clinic and require the retail excursion not at all, but in the meantime, this is the place w/​the best price in town and overall its an easy in and out. I can’t give 5 stars though because as much as I am partial to the world of vitamins, sometimes the sheer amount of fake food a place like this totes (Hemp Protein is entirely a REAL food, just from hemp seeds for your reference!) makes me a little squemish. I mean should we really be living on «soy protein isolates?» Research shows the answer is… (drumroll)… NO! THat said, i think this is a good place for bargain nutrient shopping and if i don’t carry something at the clinic, I usually tell patients to look here before Whole Foods who puts a premium price on every little item in lieu of looking out for the consumer.