GNC

Just tried to go to this store, the shop was closed at 6pm on a busy Saturday night even though the hours definitely say open til 9pm. I saw the guy at the counter and he mouthed to me that they were closed. The last time I went there, a few weeks ago, they didn’t have any of the items I was looking for. Worst GNC ever.

Sahar and Tammy are a no bs, dependable, energetic (if not crazy), and knowledgeable duo. From the second I walked in, they were able to direct me almost immediately towards what I wanted. They went the extra mile too by asking me questions about what my health goals were so that they could recommend their best possible products to help me reach my goals at a demanding pace. It was pretty cool that they made every effort to sweeten the deal while I was there with their playful attitude, and I felt like they were genuine in recommending products to help me and not just to make a sale. Put them to the test for yourself… Ask them questions and you just might walk out learning something new. I was impressed at their scientific and business knowledge of fitness products in general. Yes, it’s true there’s no music at the store just yet. But with Tammy and Sahar there, you’ll definitely get the hookups and who knows, they might just read this and start blasting some hi-​quality jams to go along with their hi-​quality service. 4.5÷5 because they ambushed me when I walked in. haha. just kidding. Thanks for everything.

The service that I get at this GNC really depends on the person helping me. There is a lady that I think is a manager or boss of some kind who is actually AWFUL. My boyfriend went into the store around 8:30pm and asked for the pricing on a protein product (actually said «what is the price of _​_​_​_​?») and she looked like it was inconveniencing her to answer his question. I’m SORRY that you close at 9pm, GNC, but you are OPEN until 9pm, which means that you can answer a quick 5 second question at 8:30. I understand clothing retailers that close at 9pm, and someone walks in at 8:55 with a buttload of clothes to try on, yes, you can be slightly annoyed by that person, but still. You can answer that question. It’s not a dent in your closing routine. Suck it up, lady.
Also, the protein product in question was on sale at, at least 3 other GNCs in the Bay Area for more than half off the regular price, as well as online. At this GNC, it was the full $ 63 some odd dollars. RIP OFF. The lady was again rude about this and said that it was probably online only. Um, actually, no it’s not, but whatever.
Also, it’s super awkward shopping here with no music.
Three stars because sometimes there are good deals (sometimes, with a coupon, gold card, etc) and because there was a lovely gentleman there one day that had a great conversation with me about supplements and protein bars. (I think his name was John?)

I go in get what I need and talk a little with a friend that works there that helps me get what I need and I guess theirs new management so as of 3÷6÷13 customer service was good

I noticed that every GNC has the label «hot buy» and all the good products. Meaning that if its a hot but item you don’t get 20% discount if you own a gold card. I stop every other day to see if anything is on sale. This store is slightly bigger than the one in San Leandro and has more selection on protein power. Employees are also helpful to help you find what you’re looking for. They’ll give you the 411 on their products if skeptical on something.

Maybe it’s just GNC but there is absolutely no music in this store… it’s awkward to browse around in here. Kinda just have to know what you want, and get it.
Staff will greet you here but they are not always necessarily helpful, depending on who you get help from. I come here for convenience sake and if I need things really quickly, otherwise it’s amazon for all my health products.
Edit: 2÷9÷2013
Okay, maybe I’ll come to GNC to get my health products more often!
Came back today for pre-​workout supplements and was provided a variety of options with personable recommendations based on my needs (female, lifter, pescatarian, and caffein addict). I talked to two pretty knowledgable and friendly ladies that weren’t just trying to shove products in my face but really helping me fill my needs.
Got free samples of some vita-​chews and pre-​workout tablets. I am testing out the «Be Hot» GNC 30 day supplement pack and the sugar-​free dutch chocolate protein powder from ISOPURE, will report back in a month.
Some of my other favorite products to get here:
— essential oils to help with hair growth and dry skin (avocado is my favorite)
— protein drinks /​bars to taste test, they have a huge selection
— GNC brand vitamin based moisturizing creams ($ 2 – 3 bucks each, lasts forever — vita C & E are my favorite)

GNC is like Radio Shack. You don’t go there to browse. Get in, get your vitamins, get out. That is the goal. I walked in and found the store very clean and the staff helpful and friendly. She knew exactly where the product was that I wanted. Done and on my way in less than five minutes. Now if only the Unilocal app would give better directions it wouldn’t have taken me ten extra minutes to find this place.

Yeah, this really is the world’s worst GNC store. Not only does it never have what you’re looking for, but the sales staff doesn’t even try to find out if they have it in stock. Asking for simple things – like protein shots – leads to bizarre and weirded out looks, like, shocker! nobody’s ever come into a GNC before requesting protein shots. One time I showed up in the middle of the day, only to find the store closed down because one of the employees decided to go get a (fast food!) lunch and nobody else was working. This place needs to get an entirely new staff, or get shut down. Hey, maybe they’d put in a Vitamin Shoppe instead!

I think I’m the first person to give GNC in Alameda 5 Star’s…I was in GNC today and found the employee to very helpful, and answer all of are question about products. As far as the products I purchase I will start tiring them tomorrow.

This is a horrible store. And the manager… she is of questionable character. This incident happens over 6 months ago and since I’m new at Unilocaling, I have to share it with everyone. Here’s what happened. I bought a jar of supplements from another store and a week later I had to return it because I found a better deal online. The product I was returning was unopened, I have the receipt and took it to the closest GNC from where I live which is the South Shore location. When I went to return the product the manager wasn’t there but the clerk told me he had to get authorization from the store manager. He proceded to call the store manager and she refused the refund but offered only an exchange. The clerk then said the store manager (who was on the phone with him) was instructed to tell me that since it was bought from another store she will offer only an exchange. But the receipt said otherwise, that I can return the unopened product at any location and get a full refund. I insisted they follow the policy according to what it said on the receipt but the manager refused. So I left and told the clerk it wasn’t his fault and he knew this was wrong but had to follow the manager’s instruction. I told him don’t worry because I’ll take care of it. I returned to the product to the store I bought from the following day which was 10 miles from the south shore branch. I told the clerk from that location about what that south shore location did and its manager. They told me they know all about her and quote «she’s shady. And thats why I left that location. She’s always doing shady stuff with the customers so she can boost her sales.» I told them I’ve already set in motion of whats going to happen to that manager. I spoke to the District Manager of her location and told him the whole story of what happened at the south shore location and also gave him the third degree. Basically I told him that this was not only poor customer service but breaking their company policy. The District Manager apologized and said he will speak to the store manager. He called me back a day later and said it was a mix up that she thought I didn’t have a receipt that she offered to give an exchange. I then told the district manager she was lying and that according to the receipt, you must have a receipt for a refund or exchange. And that they can only offer exchange with out a receipt if it is GNC’s own product line. But the product I was returning was not a GNC product line but another company. And If I didn’t have a receipt then I would have been shit out of luck. And I also told the district manager I was able to get my refund from the actual location I bought from and I gave them the receipt… the same receipt I brought to the south shore location. I told the district manager that they are hiring managers with questionable characters and using horrible tactics to boost sales of their location. He apologized profusely and gave me coupons to help ease the poor customer service. Later I found out the manager was reprimanded and was given a written corrective consultation that will remain in her file. She still works there and I’ve visited that store once and she doesn’t realize that I was the one that reported her. According to the clerk who later quit, she then told her employees to take everything back and follow the return policy. The employees in that location are good people because I have talked to them because some of them knows I was the one who reported the manager. The only problem is the store manager who is driven by sales and she will do it in expense of the customers by screwing them.

Time for a trip to the vitamin store. I usually buy the Mega man vitamin so I don’t have to take 10 to 20 vitamins. This GNC store is small and the selection is limited. Alot of emphasis these days is directed toward diet and colon cleansing. What gives, Lipo 6 and Hydroycut are the number 1 selling items. You exercise and diet, not just diet.
The best time to shop is at the beginning of the month when you can use you Gold Card for 20% off the price. Certain products I wish the staff would trial sample them so you don’t spend money on something that might prove to be disliked. Take Brand X whey protein and experience bloatiness and worst the d word. Hmmmm.

A few weeks ago, exiting the nearby Trader Joe’s, I saw the GNC sign outside and though maybe they will have the Yogi Tea I needed to buy. So, with my cart, I am entering the store aiming to let the cart just near the door for a quick look. But then, and without being greeted with a welcome, I heard: «no cart in the store». Cut and silence… silence… silence. No «good afternoon» following, or «Sorry, but it is the store policy»… Nothing
I understand their policy, but the rudeness with which the attendant talked to me is what bothered me big time…
Well, me and my cart exited without a word, adn they will never see US again.