Rant: GNC

[elainedeluca]

Hence the addition to my signature...

Friend recommended Gaspari Super Pump as an NO. Went to GNC to purchase a sample (said they had them). Only thing available was 800g for $64.99. Are you serious? Could purchase same thing on bb.com for $38.

How is this store still in business?????

[CATRACCOM]

Don't even get me started....%@#$ GNC.

[Emoore]

Good question. It's less than $40 at the Vitamin Shoppe.

[kpettitt]

Their prices are MAD high- and all the GNC brand stuff is crap! The whey tastes bad... ugh! Although, I do have to admit, my mom gave me a gold membership and this month is buy one get one half off and I'm going to get the new designer whey protein blitz. Whey isolate with 60g protein in on like 260 cals... can't beat that! It will only cost like 54 bucks for the two. BUT it's only for the first 7 days of the month... which IS crap. So I only go in those 7 days~haha! plus, I don't think BB has that yet....

[Nightbird573]

GNC is absolutely ridiculous! If I can't find something at Walmart, I go to Mass Nutrition. They always have great prices!

[Ggsavage]

I have bought items at GNC on sale on days other than the 1st seven days. Ask the salesperson if any of the items you are purchasing will expire soon and they will give you a huge discount on those items. The expiration is usually a month or two away, and if you will use the product within that time frame, it is worth the discount!!

[brooke08]

i've always had great experiences with the vitamin shoppe. they are a chain like gnc, but SO much better! i have found their staff to be really knowledgeable and their prices are pretty darn good on most things.

compare this to gnc, where a guy told me i was going to "bulk up" if i continued using a protein powder, then pointed me toward the newest lipo6 for women. plus their prices are just stupid.

[K11]

The GNC staff are persistently under the illusion that I need Cell-Tech if I lift...

[RebeccaG]

I went to GNC looking for X-tend and the guy showed me penis pills.

I shook my head and said I'm looking for X-TEND - BCAA's by Scivation. He says "What's Scivation?"

Facepalm.

[Iceman1800]

Their prices are MAD high- and all the GNC brand stuff is crap! The whey tastes bad... ugh! Although, I do have to admit, my mom gave me a gold membership and this month is buy one get one half off and I'm going to get the new designer whey protein blitz. Whey isolate with 60g protein in on like 260 cals... can't beat that! It will only cost like 54 bucks for the two. BUT it's only for the first 7 days of the month... which IS crap. So I only go in those 7 days~haha! plus, I don't think BB has that yet....

have you tried designer whey before? if not, avoid them. unless your body is used to their stuff, you will start clearing out the gym on squat days......

[MountainSong]

IMO, "bricks and mortar" shops are highly marked up to maximize profits for the owners and screw the customers.
Bodybuilding.com is where I now buy all my supplements and I consistently save money, even after shipping (and shipping is quick and reliable)

[Iceman1800]

IMO, "bricks and mortar" shops are highly marked up to maximize profits for the owners and screw the customers.
Bodybuilding.com is where I now buy all my supplements and I consistently save money, even after shipping (and shipping is quick and reliable)

it wouldn't be so bad paying a couple dollars more to support local establishments but places like GNC mark stuff up so bad its a joke.

[MountainSong]

I went to the place here for things like vitamins, fish oil, etc, for just that reason, to support a local business, but when he wanted to charge me $10 more than BB.com for tub of Superpump, I said enuff is enuff.
I asked him time and again for Xtend, but he still doesn't even know what it is.

[kpettitt]

have you tried designer whey before? if not, avoid them. unless your body is used to their stuff, you will start clearing out the gym on squat days......

damn... I haven't.... and I already opened it. I usually drink protein AFTER my workout though so maybe that will be ok... hahaha the girls at work will have to suffer!

[elainedeluca]

I went to GNC looking for X-tend and the guy showed me penis pills.

I shook my head and said I'm looking for X-TEND - BCAA's by Scivation. He says "What's Scivation?"

Facepalm.

Literally, ROFLMAO! It doesn't surprise me. I was actually almost expecting the kid who worked there to recommend a fat burner instead of the NO I was looking for just because I am female.

[gabytheft]

Well GNC prices do suck but idk if it's only in my city or what but they give me 30% military discount plus the gnc premier thing in the beginning of the month which is the only reason I get my stuff there instead of online plus I get it faster with no need for shipping. But yeah if I didn't get the ridiculous discounts, I'd say GNC is a real rip.

[Gundam8]

Well the gnc i go to they hook it up on the price becasue now is 70% off on the 2nd product n i believe its 50% on the 1st one mix n match. But they do hav ehigh price i agree with everyone on that.

[Italian_13]

Ok, I'm just playing devil advocate here and gonna just point some things out for you all about GNC

1.) GNC is a retail store, thus you are going to pay RETAIL prices for the supplements
2.) There are essentially three types of GNC's: Corporate, Franchise, and online. Corporate stores are more for P3 sales, which maximize profits. Hence the gentleman selling you Lipo 6 instead of protein, higher profit for then. The corporate store tend to push more because they are paid on commission. Franchises are a bit smarter in the supplement area. I work in a franchise GNC and let me tell you, we don't hire any Joe Schmo who turn in an app. In fact, we only do cover letters and resume's and we also give them a 2 page quiz before we even consider looking at them. I have been in a few GNC's and some of the people are dumber than shi*t! It embarrasses me that people like that work in a GNC.
3.) GNC marks down any close dated products 50% off. For us, its 6 months out from expiration. I like it!
4.) Sometimes the sales they have are pretty decent, granted with the gold card being only first 7 days, I know a few GNC's who offer it year round. With the BOGO and GC discount, almost all the supplements are cheaper than online (that including shipping).

Now, before the flaming and harassing starts, let me mention something. I STILL shop online, especially BB.com. I still hate the way GNC is run. But, considering it is a well established business, people WILL come in everyday and spend that money. GNC is a BUSINESS, and with business its all about profit. They can do it and people will pay.

Thanks and sorry for posting in the Female section. I saw the thread and was curious :-)

[hipshimmy]

i've always had great experiences with the vitamin shoppe. they are a chain like gnc, but SO much better! i have found their staff to be really knowledgeable and their prices are pretty darn good on most things.

compare this to gnc, where a guy told me i was going to "bulk up" if i continued using a protein powder, then pointed me toward the newest lipo6 for women. plus their prices are just stupid.

I like the vitamin shoppe better as well. Every time I go in GNC, they tend to recommend a high price product or the store brand.

[Megin]

I like the vitamin shoppe better as well. Every time I go in GNC, they tend to recommend a high price product or the store brand.

Agree

[CEPCNC]

I've purchased a few items from GNC...only when the discounts + gnc card mark off applies. They are just too pricey, and I teh guy that runs the shop is a roid head (admitingly.) I know deal strictly with bb.com first and ************* secondly. BB.com has the one of the best online stores with the format and selection IMHO.

[TrizzleyBear]

GNC is a total rip off! I found a store that actually competes with GNC and has their prices at least $20 lower! I'm not sure how GNC is still around?!?

[doomette]

Living on a base overseas, GNC products (along with their prices) are just about the only supplements I have access to in the PX/BX, unless I order online and wait a few weeks. I think GNC is in cahoots with the military, because they seem to have a monopoly (at least on Marine/Naval bases) in the bases.
But yeah, the prices are redonkulous, even with their gold card.

[JAWS22]

A guy at one of these told me that I should take a supplement (forgot the name) to boost my testosterone. I read the back and saw it had the three D's in it. It was a rather potent prohormone, similar to a bottle of DDrol. He then looked at it and said "uhh, well theres, this here, and that" *he read the ingredients that he could pronounce* then handed it back saying "yeah this will definately do it, if you want your test boosted Id get this". I wanted to hit him in the face so hard my rotator cuff popped.
/Rage

These idiots are getting Prohomones baned, giving that **** to every average Joe.

[ALipStickTomBoy]

Hence the addition to my signature...

Friend recommended Gaspari Super Pump as an NO. Went to GNC to purchase a sample (said they had them). Only thing available was 800g for $64.99. Are you serious? Could purchase same thing on bb.com for $38.

How is this store still in business?????


They are high in prices...I use Vitamin Shoppe, BB.Com and Steroid-club.com for my needs. I do not know why GNC charges what they do, and even more so, HOW they stay in business. Some of their stuff is twice the price of what I get on line INCLUDING shipping. I do pop in there just to see prices and it is amazing when you hear the people who work there tell the general public what they "nned" to gain muscle. I actually called their corporate office not to long ago; this family was in there, spanish speaking only for the most part, and this guy was selling them tons of stuff they honestly did NOT need and it was obvious they had NO clue. They ended up spending about 177 bucks; it bothered me that anyone would even do that to someone. So...that may be how they are making their money; getting the "victims" who think all the powders and pills are magical. Sucks but true.

[BriannasMomma]

Living on a base overseas, GNC products (along with their prices) are just about the only supplements I have access to in the PX/BX, unless I order online and wait a few weeks. I think GNC is in cahoots with the military, because they seem to have a monopoly (at least on Marine/Naval bases) in the bases.
But yeah, the prices are redonkulous, even with their gold card.

There's a GNC in the PX on Ft Hood but then there is also an aisle in the PX with supplements. I wonder if the PX prices are cheaper than the GNC prices...I'll have to check it out.

[doomette]

There's a GNC in the PX on Ft Hood but then there is also an aisle in the PX with supplements. I wonder if the PX prices are cheaper than the GNC prices...I'll have to check it out.

They are the same prices at the PX as they are online; so if the CONUS stores sell them for the same prices as the website prices, then no (unless CONUS PX prices are cheaper).

[cadre]

I used to live in a small town so GNC was the only brick and mortar store I could go to and I did. I usually got pretty good prices but that could have been because there are very few regular customers in a town like that.

I went to one down in Tempe once though and the woman there was trying to talk me out of buying protein. It was entertaining to say the least.

I will say that they usually do have higher prices, but if you compare any brick and mortar store to an online one, of course online is cheaper. I personally don't like ordering stuff online.

[hsmosny]

The GNC staff are persistently under the illusion that I need Cell-Tech if I lift...

they make the most commission off of celltech stuff...thats why they push it. my bf works for a vitamin world and gnc's prices are usually $20 more than his work. The only time i go into gnc is when they send someone (an associate or friend) into my bfs work to ruin the daily average so i go in and buy something for a dollar or two just to make them mad and ruin theirs. plus another reason i refuse to buy any supps from them is they bad mouth other local companies and i think that is wrong even if you dont like your comp you dont need to tell you customers dont go there bc of ______ fill in the blank. those are the customers that dont buy from you and go to your comp just bc how you talk about other place.

[pudgybeaner]

OK so im new to this supplement world so of course i went to gnc...n got the "latest thats out" i have a problem with recovery. i only take it after wkouts becuz as noted above i will blow the gym out!! is that normal or jus maybe gnc products dont agree with me? AND then bodybuilding.com doesnt have it so are these products not putting me at my potential?

[luv2pump]

After much dissing of GNC here, I decided to compare prices myself.

I went to their site and to BB.com and typed in that I wanted a five pound of casein and a five pound of whey, both by Optimum Nutrition, per everyone insisting it is better. Okay.

At BB it came up at $103 approximately (including $18 shipping) and at GNC it came up at $107 PLUS an extra pound of the whey. Free shipping too. So, I if I get an extra pound at $4 more means it would have been cheaper by the pound. GNC also does that "buy one get one half off" deal all the time too and if they don't have it when I go in perosn, they give me 20 % off.

Tell me as I really want to know- what am I missing? How is it cheaper online? GNC is also just down the street so it is convenient.

[JAWS22]

OK so im new to this supplement world so of course i went to gnc...n got the "latest thats out" i have a problem with recovery. i only take it after wkouts becuz as noted above i will blow the gym out!! is that normal or jus maybe gnc products dont agree with me? AND then bodybuilding.com doesnt have it so are these products not putting me at my potential?

Muscle Pharms Bullet Proof for recovery.

[JAWS22]

is this what you use?

Tried it, loved it. I also loved Anabolic Halo.

I don't use recovery stuff anymore. Not in the budget :( I miss it lol.

[pudgybeaner]

Muscle Pharms Bullet Proof for recovery.

is this what you use?

[JAWS22]

Is it just me or did I just read your mind? Lol.

[pudgybeaner]

Is it just me or did I just read your mind? Lol.

oh i just send you a personal message but that was wierd?? lol.

[JAWS22]

I took a real look at your name and discovered its not pudgybear. Lol.

[RebeccaG]

After much dissing of GNC here, I decided to compare prices myself.

I went to their site and to BB.com and typed in that I wanted a five pound of casein and a five pound of whey, both by Optimum Nutrition, per everyone insisting it is better. Okay.

At BB it came up at $103 approximately (including $18 shipping) and at GNC it came up at $107 PLUS an extra pound of the whey. Free shipping too. So, I if I get an extra pound at $4 more means it would have been cheaper by the pound. GNC also does that "buy one get one half off" deal all the time too and if they don't have it when I go in perosn, they give me 20 % off.

Tell me as I really want to know- what am I missing? How is it cheaper online? GNC is also just down the street so it is convenient.

I haven't done a ton of comparison pricing but...

The first tub of whey I bought was ON, I think it was 2lbs and it was $50. I kept hearing it was overpriced and I wasn't a huge fan of their service, so I went to Popeye's to check things out there. They had a FIVE pound tub of ON for the same price that GNC had their 2ls tubs selling for.

If my math is correct I would spend $125 for 5lbs at GNC and $50 for the same amount at Popeye's.

I don't think I'll be shopping at GNC again.

[princessTiffany]

I use GNC's whey. ..kinda clumps but I got like a 70% discount on a bunch. ...I used to like their womens' multi but not anymore. ..makes my back hurt(?) not even sure what that's about. Their prices are high. Whenever I run out or need more than whey and vitamins I'm gonna go online.

But I will say that the salesperson I got was awesome and gave me the cheapest whey, he even knew enough to suggest iron in my multi.

[pudgybeaner]

I went to wk last nite and was talking about this forum with my sup cuz we go 2 the same gym and we both live close to each other here in bfe. He said well gnc is the closest thing to us. I said i know. Then he said the best thing...Well Pudge, at least your in the gym. Thank goodness for good buddies! So call me a over paying designer buying gym idiot, I used Gnc to get my couch potatoe a$$ up and find the nearest gym. Now as I am graduating im here learning about better products with for the most part positive ppl. So i say HIP HIP HORRAY to all the using and used to use GNC products because at the end of the day what matters the most is that you accomplished your goal..getting to the gym!! im not gonna post on the forum bcuz hate'n on what helps some1 else can b discouraging and is a waste of energy.

[speedy-vet]

I went to GNC looking for X-tend and the guy showed me penis pills.

I shook my head and said I'm looking for X-TEND - BCAA's by Scivation. He says "What's Scivation?"

Facepalm.

EXACTLY!!! How do they stay in business??? PRICES ARE SO RIDICULOUS and employees are there only to be cashiers because they don't know what they are selling. Why would anyone even go there to buy anything! LET THEM GO OUT OF BUSINESS as there is plenty of competition supplement stores out there! PEOPLE need to be smarter and just go elsewhere, is called SMART SHOPPING!