GNC

Dude this is GNC always finds a way to make just a little bit more money off of you… I can’t tell you how many times I’ve come in here and they’re like oh we have buy one get one free check it out! Then I leave and find out that I ended up being charged more money then the marked price because somehow it defaults to full price if you buy one get one free, was the explanation I was given when I went back in to ask about it. And that these were incorrectly Mart even though they were on an end cap display and it said sale. And it’s a lot of trouble to do the refund according to the sales guy. So next time I’ll just do two separate transactions so I can get what the price was that it was marked for or just buy one. I’m going to start looking for other companies that have vitapaks. I’m just done with GNC especially after finding out that they only have a certain percentage of true vitamin in there supplements.

Why has the business model for GNC not gone the way of patent leather white shoes with matching belt? After several years trying many different brands of Glucosamine, I finally found something at GNC that really relieves my knee pain form running. That’s the good news. I shudder when I run out, because I know I’ll have to venture into the empty GNC store. I’ve never been on the business end of such aggressive selling tactics from any place that’s still in business. «Why don’t you buy our $ 10 card to save money? Don’t you want to save money every month?» If the real interest is saving me money, you would lower your prices. This is a play to get my information so you can barrage my email and mailbox with junk. Then there’s the up-sell…“you should buy this brand, It’s so much better and cheaper.” «You should really also buy the undercoating and road hazard warranty and extended service contract with this too or it won’t work.» Despite my protestations that I finally found a product that works for me and I like it, please just let me pay for it, they keep on with the script and never let you off the hook. I’ve had to get mean with the staff on several occasions…“please, just let me buy this, shut the F&*K up and take my money”. I buy a lot of supplements and other things GNC sells, but guess where I don’t buy any of them? Their aggressive tactics and pushy people have cost them all of my business, save for this one supplement. If I were more organized, I would buy on-​line.

If i could give zero stars i would! Gnc is my go to store, but recently had a bad run in with the actual owner of the sunset valley location. Came in to return some pills that they recommended. Unfortunately, they kept me up late at night. I had tried some other pills before that, they also didn’t work well for me so I was basically looking at just getting my money back and giving up on trying to find a good energy pill… owner was pushy and seemed reluctant to give me my money back from the get go trying to get me to try other pills or get some protein powder. Talking to me like I was an idiot that didn’t read the directions properly, sarcastically and condescendingly laughing at me and saying «well your supposed to take them early in the morning.» No shit! Anyways, then he proceeded to tell me he wasn’t going to return them because I had returned one bottle of pills earlier. (oh idk, could it be that your salesmen are so pushy that basically to get out of the store I had to switch out my products instead of just getting my money back!!!) «what’s the deal!!! why do you keep returning things!!!» he says to me…(I’ve literally only returned these 2 items EVER!). I explained to him the situation, I just want my money back, I’m done with the pill search. «I have the right to refuse you a refund if you keep returning things, feel free to dial the 1800 number.» Whoa… Aggressive much…(actually you’re allowed to try out anything and return ANYTHING, no one wants to spend $ 50 on some BS pills!) after that i basically lost it, i snapped back at him because at this point im under attack. i have never in my life been treated so poorly in a retail business. basically owner should stay behind the scenes, clearly not cut out for retail and providing good customer service. I’m only giving it 1 stars because the rest of the staff is awesome. Stay away from the franchise stores! save yourself some time and just go to the store in the mall.

family owned franchise. decent selection of herbs and natural vitamins. mct oil is $ 5 less than whole foods.
Update: Central Market on West Gate has MCT oil for larger size, unflavored, and cheaper.

This place is really friendly and very knowledgeable about the products they sell. They have the best prices on Branch Chain Amino Acids that I’ve seen, even compared to other GNC stores, and they always have stuff in stock.
Reading other reviews of this place, I agree it can be best to go in knowing what you want. That said, the employees are salespeople and not just cashiers. If you don’t know exactly what you want, do some educated research beforehand and then ask the folks there for their thoughts. If you can’t handle anyone trying to upsell you, they have calcium supplements to help your backbone grow a little stronger.

I, like a good little hubby ran an errand that my wife generally does to this store. I was armed with a well written itemized list. The first item was fish oil 1000. After a little confusion before I knew it, I ended up with some fish oil triple strength. I told the clerk that the fish oil I had at home didn’t state that it was triple strength. She was too busy with the sales pitch to listen, so I figured what the hell and bought it and left with my head spinning.
I got home and sure enough what I ended up with is off the chart more expensive than what I had been getting. My wife stated that they have been suggesting that she might want to switch to the more expensive stuff the past few times that she had been in. Gee, I wonder why??? I being a dummy at this was a sitting duck for the switch. Keep in mind there wasn’t anyway I could maintain the same dosage that I had been taking for 22 years. I would either be 25% light (1 capsule), or 50% over (two capsules) with the omega-​3 with this upgrade. I’ve been taking 1200 mg (4 capsules of 300 mg) of omega-​3 a day. Tell me how you maintain that dosage with 900 mg capsules. Maybe the triple strength justifies the big price difference. I didn’t do the math, but the real problem was the dosage which can be a little confusing as what the product I wanted is called «fish oil 1000» contains only 300 mg of omega 3. At no time was I asked what my present dosage was to figure out how this upgrade would match up.
The next day when I took them back, I asked why was I up-​sold without any regard to the dosage, and remarked that my wife stated that she had experienced the same issue, but knew better.
The manager/​owner whoever, stated that they don’t try to up-​sell and certainly have never attempted to do so with my wife, who he said he remembered.
At this point with him basically calling my wife a liar, I became completely unglued like I haven’t in 20+ years. He then stated that no one made me buy that particular fish oil, and they couldn’t be responsible for a what a customer buys. Great responses to go along with the implied remark that I’m a psycho of «Sir, are you alright?» Hell no, I wasn’t alright after him implying my wife was a liar, and his the customer is wrong, snickering, snide, condescending manner on top of it. Call me crazy, but I get pissed big time if I feel that someone has insulted my wife.
I was an owner/​manager of a business for thirty years. I’m possibly more sensitive to the way a customer should be handled, and this was nowhere in the realm.
When I stated I was going online with this, the whoever promptly tried to give me free of charge two bottles of what I should have gotten in the first place with a belated apology. I declined the freebies, and the apology was too late. I was in a state of needing some serious anger management. I promptly left, and went over to the store on Pleasant Valley. I asked the clerk there for a bottle of fish oil 1000. He immediately gave me two as it was a bogo without any extraneous bs. Guess which store I’ll be going to for my supplements next month.
Yeah, I know the store on Brodie is a franchise location, and the one on Pleasant Valley is company owned. Having been an independent small business owner and my daughter currently being one, I always try to give independents priority in my selection of who to do business with. That being stated, some just don’t deserve it and are a bad reflection on those that truly do.
Update to my statement of «I didn’t do the math.» This review is already way too long, but if you’re interested in my findings, you’ll find them on my review of the Pleasant Valley GNC location. I’m sure they will be of no surprise.

I showed up here determined to buy some Healthe Trim, not even knowing where to start, and had the nicest employee help me out. He told me everything I needed to know and recommended other products as well, showing that my options were open. I felt no pressure to buy more than necessary and he explained everything thoroughly. Friendly staff and very knowledgeable. It was my first time going into a GNC store, and I will continue to go to this location.

I had a pleasant experience my first time in the store. It took me a little while to find products I would use, but I bought vitamins with my Groupon, and was pleased. The employees were helpful and didn’t try to talk me into buying additional items. They gave me a small sales pitch about the store being a family business, but I found it interesting rather than unnecessary. If I decide to start using these types of products, I would return here.

Had a bad experience with them trying to use my Groupon. Bottom line was that I was going to pay more for the 2 products I wanted using the Groupon than if I just walked in the store about bought them at the current sale price. The owner was not willing to budge. Really? Don’t you use Groupon to attract new customers, especially ones who regularly purchase your products? No, no, let’s scam them on this coupon deal and make a few bucks instead.
I also noticed as other reviewers stated that they were very pushy on products… so much so that I would rather purchase on-​line and avoid the confrontation with pushy salespeople.

I won’t go back to GNC. They quit selling Bioplex protein whey powder isolate. It’s the healthiest brand around. No sugar or fat; just 4 ingredients instead of 20. Obviously they don’t really care about health food. Typical corporation.

The store is clean, well-​organized and always have what I need in stock, but the sales people are unbelievably pushy. I went in a few days ago and got this:
Clerk: Are you all stocked up on vitamins today?
Me: Yes, I am.
Clerk: We have some very good deals right now.
Me: I’m good.
Clerk: I see you’re buying Isopure protein, have you tried our new blah blah blah powder?
Me: No, I prefer Isopure, that’s all I want for now.
Clerk: Are you a member of our Gold Club?
Me: Yes, here’s my card.
Clerk: Uh oh, it’s missing the sticker, I’ll have to look you up manually.
Me: Don’t worry about it, it’s only a couple of bucks and I’m in a hurry.
Enter Manager. Standing 2 feet from the clerk.
Manager: Are you all stocked up on vitamins today?
Me: Yes, I am.
Clerk: We have some very good deals right now.
Me: I’m good.
Clerk: I see you’re buying Isopure protein, have you tried our new blah blah blah powder?
Me: No, I prefer Isopure, that’s all I want for now.
Clerk: Are you a member of our Gold Club?
Me: JUST RING ME UP AND LET ME OUT OF HERE!!!
Manager: Sorry, just trying to save you some money!
Riiiight.

Never have been to a GNC before because I didn’t think it was a scene for me but instead only super hard core meatheads who live in the gym. Man, I was totally wrong.
Tried some Black Powder from the gym I work out at and wanted to stock up on it because I got so much natural energy from it. The two men who worked at this location were aware of this energy mix and told me about another one that was very comparable with less sugar and $ 15 cheaper then the one I was coming for originally. Had a skeptical look on my face, and the sales man, Jason, offered to mix me up a cup to try as a sample. Yummy! He even offered to let me try another flavor to give me options. Awesome! What even made the drink more credible is that he told me he used the more expensive brand previously but made the switch to the cheaper one as it was better for the budget and found it to be as effective.
What? You mean your actually trying to sell me something cheaper and not milk me for all I’m worth? Right on!
Onto the protein powder my friend came in for. Once again, two brands were recommended and being the skeptic that I am, Jason and other sales guy offered to mix up a cup of each brand for us to try so we could be the judge. Pretty freaking awesome customer service if you ask me. Even better was that both brands were buy one get one half off which we used to our advantage.
It was obvious that both men were very knowledgeable about their products as they not only sell them but actually are consumers themselves. Didn’t feel pressured to buy anything either nor was I being shown only the most expensive products as is a common practice in the retail industry. Perhaps that’s because this specific GNC location is privately owned by a family? Whatever the case, I’ll be back to stock up on my goods.

I’d agree with the previous review from Danny. This store runs good specials, though. I use one particular protein powder that goes for $ 69.99 in other places. They were running a special and had a discount, so I got two for $ 51.00. I am set until March.
The guys who work there are pretty well versed on some of the rarer supplements that I use, which I appreciate.
GNC really delivered when I had a very sick dog who eventually died from cancer, but we went totally holistic on his treatment, and the job-​knowledge of the GNC staff along with the knowledge I was getting from the vet worked out, and I believe the GNC supplements (20 – 40 per day) helped maintain my dog’s health for as long as possible and, by extension, prepared me better for the inevitable. That’s a nice thing to be able to say.

I love GNC for getting my vitamins, herbs and supplements. This location is closest to my place and I haven’t really had anything bad happen but at times the sales people can be a little pushy even though I’m pretty well versed in what I want. The selection is great and if you have a GNC card the discounts can be worth it if you time it right. For those of you looking for a new supplement to try for working out, they have started carrying Beta Alanine, check it out.