GNC

I would give this store no stars if possible. I have never been into the store and left satisfied. The women who work here have no idea what I am looking for and recommend the wrong things. If there is a problem, they have to make three 20 minute phone calls to figure out what to do. Such a waste of time.

Nay, Nay!
$ 80 for Gold Standard Whey? Are you mad?
That is $ 40 online. I am not spending double for local availability.
Shoo, Shoo, GNC. Away, Away with you!
Oh the staff at this location isn’t bad.

Has everything I was looking for during my last visit but the staff was too aggressive with selling things I did not need. I already knew what I was looking for and had asked where it was. From there on, I was content with shopping on my own. But for the whole duration of my shopping, a sales woman did NOT leave my side for a second. She kept asking whether I wanted multi-​vitamins or other products but I did not need any of those other things. I said I was doing fine when she asked if I needed help (about 4 – 5 times) but seemed determined to follow me around the store. I’m not sure if she was trying to be helpful or she thought I was going to steal something.
Otherwise, the store is clean, organized, and well-​stocked. I would go back if that lady would not follow me around again.

Great convenient location in the downtown Oakland — close to my office.
+ Reasonably good selections
+ Reasonably friendly staff (they always say hi and offer help)
which would normally warrant at least 3 stars, but I had to deduct a star after they forgot to order my supplement for 4 weeks (of course I had to pay first), forgot to call me when it finally arrived, forgot to set it aside (so the last item was on the shelf for sale when I went to check on the order for the 4^th time). I’m quite convinced I would have never gotten my order I paid for if I left it up to them.
I certainly won’t shop there any more (after being a regular there for a couple of years) since I don’t have time for that kind of sloppiness. I thought about giving them one star, but I guess if you don’t need to rely on their service (or memory) to get what you want, then it’s a OK store based on the location and the selection.

If you’re seeking dietary supplements in downtown Oakland, you have two choices: Rite Aid or GNC.
Reasons to avoid Rite Aid:
1) you will not get any help from the staff;
2) selection is limited;
3) the queue at checkout is usually a 10-​minute wait;
4) there will be at least three or four people waiting outside to harass you for spare change.
Reasons to go to GNC:
1) you will get help from the staff;
2) selection is vast;
3) you won’t have to wait to pay;
4) conveniently located near Club One (if that’s your thing) and away from the crazies.
You’ll pay more for the same stuff at GNC but it’s worth the premium. If you buy in bulk, it’ll be a better deal than Rite Aid.

2 words… FRS and Muscle Milk.
Thank you for being conveniently located near Club One and my office…
What would I do without these two drinks???
Yes, a buck twenty chica loves her some muscle milk… Good stuff, don’t hate!