GNC

I walk in after yoga class to buy a vega bar, calm, happy, looking forward to the rest of my day. As I walk toward the bars a woman asks me if I need help and she then shows me the bars. I noticed this «10 or less» sign on almost every single box and ask what it’s about (vega bars are expensive in gnc, I’d be thrilled to get them on sale). She rudely cuts me off and says its for the whole box and then says that it’s not on sale (didn’t she just say it was for the whole box?). I then ask «so what is this for then?“and she cuts me off AGAIN and repeats «no not this, none of these», so to make sure I confirm and ask «none of these?», because they were all over the boxes — I couldn’t understand this misleading display, and she confirmed it. Then I get to the register and the man pushes these other vega bars toward me and says that they are half off, but they weren’t the flavor I liked so I didn’t take them. I’m completely confused at this point, since he claimed SOME were on sale and she says NONE are… I just buy my bar and leave. Calm, relaxed, post-​yoga feeling ruined. The customer service is pretty rude/​unfriendly here. I would go to vitamin shoppe around the corner, it’s slightly cheaper (compared to gnc without the paid for membership) and they are much more pleasant. Screw me for just wanting to cross the street, I guess that’s what I get for trying to be efficient? For a store I could buy things online from or simply just walk a few more blocks on queens boulevard, customer service is really all they have besides a closer location… I know better now.

Solid 2 star place due to every item in here being marked up! Why the 3^rd star you ask? Well they price match! I simply walk over to vitamin shoppe and if they are sold out in an item or a flavor I want I waltz over to this abomination of a store and get it for a 1 $ cheaper.

GNC has what I need, Milk Digestant pills. I always see it on sale because it’s a GNC brand. Buy one get one half off. The customer service needs to be worked on though. They are not very helpful when I needed help. Terrible service. But they get three stars for keeping the dairy pills around.

The one star is for the selection. Gstuff GNC.
I usually stop by this place for a Monster Milk or other protein shakes if I forgot to stop by the Vitamin Shoppe. Need fuel for the next few hours at NYSC…
Other points:
1. Rude and unattentive customer service
2. Vitamin Shoppe is down the street next to the subway entrance on Queens Blvd
3. You can always mix it up and order all their products online

As per my complaint letter:
I spoke with a customer service rep on the phone called Karina that was very helpful, took my complaint and reports that she will forward it but I still felt it necessary to document my disturbing experience with Forest Hills, NY (70 – 39 Austin Street, Queens, NY 11 475) store manager Ronnie.
First, I went to a Vitamin Shoppe but specifically went out of my way to go to this GNC figuring, I’d get to use my GNC card to gain points. There was a long line that moved incredibly slowly. When I finally attempted to use my card, I was told it expired. The worker waited for Ronnie. I advised that it could not be expired that I was recently in this store and renewed it (not even realizing yet that there was a sticker with red print on the back that even stated the expiration was April 2013). Ronnie asked if I had the receipt (why would I retain the receipt?). I advised him that I trusted the competence of GNC and did not think keeping the receipt was necessary of which I was sincere. Even if he felt this was not sincere, he’s the manager and should suck it up. Ronnie rolled his eyes and asked if I renewed in that store (what difference does that make?). I replied yes. He stated in an angry tone that I haven’t been in the store since March 2012 (who is he to tell me when I was last there? — and again the back of the card clearly indicates an expiration of April 2013). Ronnie, looked at the cashier screen, gestured emphatically with his hands and in a hostile tone stated, «I’m looking at it and whatever they said, you didn’t pay for it and it’s expired.» I again replied that this was not true. Ronnie threw his hands in the air and stated that there was nothing he could do without a receipt. I left but returned to take my card as I intended to write to GNC. I then noticed that there was the expiration date that clearly indicated the validity (April 2013) of the card and at the very least a non accusatory tone from a GNC member declaring the complete opposite of reality as indicated by the card. He was with another customer and I stated that I wanted to wait for him. He overtly ignored me but because I didn’t leave stated that he «wasn’t going to fight with me». I was not interested in fighting; I was interested in being treated respectfully not threatened. As such, I attempted to show him the card’s valid date but he replied that it wasn’t valid, it didn’t matter what it said, and that I could «take it up with customer service». He said this while smacking the back of his right hand into the palm of his left hand in an elevated tone. I advised him that he was not appropriate and that he should acknowledge the back of the card valid date. He continued to shout to «take it up with customer service». I asked him if he was bold with everyone or just 5’2 women. It is my contention that this worker would NEVER have taken such a tone with a male never mind the egregiously poor customer service. I am still shaken by this bizarre experience, will cross the street when passing this store, and felt it necessary to document it. I will never again go to a GNC store anywhere and will demand friends, family, and colleagues boycott GNC.
The Vitamin Shoppe on Queens Blvd is the way to go.
However, Karina was nice and it’s a shame to not be able to shop in the GNC stores anymore but clearly the misogyny is rampant.