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What products are worth buying from GNC???
- Thread starter ronron912
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needtogetswole
New member
well if your in the states supplementkingdom.com has some super cheap prices .. also orbit nutrition .. needtobuildmuscle.net --- i wouldn't go to gnc - overpriced.
training700
New member
I really like syntha 6 can get it pretty cheap at gnc bout it for me from there anymore
bluetoolpaul
New member
No, gnc sucks. Unless ur friends w/ a manager who can hook u up for cost, its a complte waste of money....even then its a waste of money, so many supps out there are superior, its silly to buy from gnc now unless ur in a pinch and like to overpay for things.
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Sherk
New member
All of the sponsors here have fast delivery. NTBM, orbit and Mrsupps all have arrived in 2-3 days max
GNC can eat my ball juice.... is australia anyway, rip off merchants their to accomidate for the newbies that love walkin out with their tub of over priced protein as they prepare for their first day at the gym. they just like gym chains built only for the chunkers who will give up every 3 months, cos theres more of those people than us true lifters.... and yes i bought my first hoard of products from gnc. so i've been fucked by them like most.
none, i wouldn't even be caught dead in that store. it would be an epic embarassment. they cater to the teen/early 20's crowd who thinks they are gonna get huge on protein powder made from soy, corn syrup, and 'natural flavors' just cause there is a massive dude (who never even took the product) on the front of it
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GNC has nothing for cycle support. They sell overpriced protein and their brand name stuff isn't the best quality. I'll go there if I'm in a hurry and I need some apple pectin or extra vitamin C something. I'll pay the extra few dollars now and then, but I'd rather not. Vitamin Shoppe is better, but they also have nothing for real hardcore bodybuilders.
until the internet GNC screwed us, for years and years
.
I would not give them I dime if they were selling Watson Test Cyp---they are now the followers in the industry, need to pay for high mall rent, and deserve no loyalty what so ever.
patronize the bros who are one of us-
--not some money machine corp.
and there is nothing in the world that can't wait for a couple of days to arrive in your mailbox--screw GNC
. I would not give them I dime if they were selling Watson Test Cyp---they are now the followers in the industry, need to pay for high mall rent, and deserve no loyalty what so ever.
patronize the bros who are one of us-
--not some money machine corp.and there is nothing in the world that can't wait for a couple of days to arrive in your mailbox--screw GNC
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TheSVPdeal
New member
Yup. Our sponsors have just about all that you need.
Gunslinger007
New member
Word.
E
EarthRider
Guest
Syntha 6 tastes awesome
Dedic8ed 1
New member
I use to get protein bars on sale and I like the thermoburst but that's it. And that was only when I was still in military and you got the gold card discount plus military discounts on base so it ended up being about the same as the internet. Especially of you hit a bogo sale. Other than that its a complete waste of space and time.
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gnc is such a joke, i mean seriously, the biggest joke out there... when i walk buy that place i find myself laugh to myself... i seriously wonder about anyone that buys from there, like they don't even use the internet to realize how badly they get screwed over on everything... the best is the sales people there though... they don't know their a$$ from a hole in the ground...
TheRippedReverend
Banned
Not gonna bash a company imo I wont buy from there tho
why wouldn't you bash a crook company that cheats people out of their money with inferior products?
RAD Profile | Rite Aid Corporation Common Sto Stock - Yahoo! Finance
their CEO makes 1.2M a year. plus owns 2.4M in stock.. probably some old fat guy with a huge gut who sits on his Italian leather chair in his office figuring out how he can further make his ingredients cheaper and raise the cost of his products.. and also the next marketing strategy to pull in 18 year old suckers out of their minimum wage paycheck
and on top of that the company is losing money and close to bankruptcy. THAT is the problem with a marketing strategy targeting one time buyers. its the companies that keep bringing back loyal customers that survive.
bash bash bash all day
TheRippedReverend
Banned
why wouldn't you bash a crook company that cheats people out of their money with inferior products?
RAD Profile | Rite Aid Corporation Common Sto Stock - Yahoo! Finance
their CEO makes 1.2M a year. plus owns 2.4M in stock.. probably some old fat guy with a huge gut who sits on his Italian leather chair in his office figuring out how he can further make his ingredients cheaper and raise the cost of his products.. and also the next marketing strategy to pull in 18 year old suckers out of their minimum wage paycheck
and on top of that the company is losing money and close to bankruptcy. THAT is the problem with a marketing strategy targeting one time buyers. its the companies that keep bringing back loyal customers that survive.
Wow!!! Really! Did not know. Funny this subject comes up cause I was wattching Dateline last night and they had this big investigation on a product called Total Body this broad was dying and almost bald!! Shit had Selenium, lead, and some other in it! Check it out!
BASH ON
Read these statements made by the following supplment companies and organizations as featured in The Hansen Files investigative report from Sunday, March 18th, at 7pm/6c:
Wright Enrichment, Inc. (http://www.thewrightgroup.net/)
GNC (http://www.gnc.com/home/index.jsp)
Council for Responsible Nutrition (http://www.crnusa.org/)
Natural Products Association (http://www.npainfo.org/)
Statement by Wright Enrichment, Inc. to Dateline NBC:
Wright Enrichment, Inc. (“Wright”) is a small family owned company which has provided for many years numerous health beneficial vitamin pre-mix blends to a variety of customers. In regard to the Total Body Formula matter, while a great majority of cases have settled, a number remain in litigation in the State of Georgia. As a result, we trust you understand that Wright Enrichment is not at liberty to fully address some of the issues raised as litigation is still pending, consequently, we hope that your report will not draw any adverse inferences therefrom as to Wright Enrichment.
For years preceding this litigation, Wright produced, without incident, the vitamin premix blend component of the Total Body Formula. In 2007, apparently for cost cutting reasons, Total Body Essential Nutrition, Inc. (“Total Body”) changed its product manufacturer to a company named Texamerican Food Blending, Inc. (“Texamerican”), without Wright’s knowledge.
Unbeknownst to Wright, Texamerican did not possess the product’s vitamin premix blend formula. Instead of securing the formula from the previous manufacturer and ask Wright to produce the vitamin premix blend it had previously produced for that manufacturer, Texamerican believed that one of its employees and/or a independent contractor could reverse engineer the blend.
Notwithstanding, Texamerican proceeded to order from Wright a vitamin premix blend unfortunately containing elevated selenium levels. Wright produced the Texamerican blend to Texamerican’s exact specifications. Unfortunately, Texamerican’s specification/formula was high in selenium. On at least seven occasions before and after production of the vitamin premix-blend, for dosage confirmation, Wright provided Texamerican documents accurately stating all ingredients and vitamins present in the blend, including its selenium content. In fact, independent laboratory testing has confirmed that Wright’s premix blend contained what Wright represented it contained in those certificates of analysis and documents.
Wright is a vitamin premix blend producer. Generally, when a customer places an order, Wright is not told how a given blend will be utilized. Wright does not generally know whether its blend will be co-blended with a competitor’s, or how it will be diluted. In this case, Wright was blindfolded to the fact that Texamerican had no qualification and/or competence to formulate vitamin premix blends. Wright was blindfolded to the fact it had already produced the vitamin premix blend Texamerican was trying to reverse engineer. Wright did not know whether its vitamin premix blend was going to be co-blended, and Texamerican did not inform Wright of the vitamin premix blend’s dilution rate.
When initial complaints were reported, Wright requested the final product label from Texamerican, but to no avail. Being unaware of the product’s identity, Wright could not initiate a recall. Moreover, because Wright is not the owner of the product, Wright had in fact no right at any time to initiate a recall.
It is compelling that had Wright Enrichment been told to produce the same blend it had produced in the past for Texamerican’s predecessor, the Total Body Formula would have been fit for human consumption.
Equally compelling, if not more so, is the fact that after it had produced the Total Body Formula, but before it was released in the stream of commerce, Texamerican had its own employees sample the Total Body Formula. Some Texamerican employees became almost instantly and violently ill. Witnessing the “effect” it had on co-workers, some Texamerican employees refused to sample the Total Body Formula. Stunningly, with the sampling outcome in hand, Texamerican proceeded to release the Total Body Formula in the stream of commerce as fit for human consumption. In sum, Texamerican failed in its attempt to reverse engineer the vitamin-premix blend it asked Wright to produce, then with knowledge the product it had manufactured made people ill, Texamerican released it to Total Body as fit for human consumption.
Texamerican and Total Body denied any liability in the Gurley trial! Wright admitted to being at fault in the Gurley trial because, in hindsight, Wright should have raised more questions about what was being ordered. The fact that the formula Texamerican provided to Wright appeared to be imperfect should have raised a red flag to Wright. Wright should have refused to produce the blend.
As a result, Wright has been and remains willing to fairly compensate consumers that have been injured by the Total Body Formula. Wright has also taken steps necessary to ensure a similar incident does not re-occur and protect consumers and itself from companies like Texamerican. However, Wright believes the Edward Gurley jury verdict was the result of a jury inflamed by improperly admitted evidence and arguments of counsel. Wright also believes that the jury verdict was a result of an apparent secret deal/settlement entered into days before the start of trial between Plaintiffs and Texamerica and Total Body. Wright was prevented from learning the exact nature of this secret deal and Wright was not allowed to disclose to the jury the fact a secret deal/settlement existed at the time of trial. Therefore, Wright Enrichment is now pursuing an appeal.
Sincerely,
WRIGHT ENRICHMENT, INC.
Statement by GNC to Dateline NBC:
First, you have told us that Dateline NBC intends to use as an on air source a consumer who purchased a selenium product called Total Body Formula at a GNC store in Lawrenceville, Georgia approximately four years ago. The following points are specific to that element of your story.
This product was not manufactured by GNC but instead is a third party product GNC retailed in its stores. It’s our understanding the product was sold at other retail outlets as well.
This product had very limited distribution in GNC stores. GNC has over 5,000 US GNC store locations and this product was sold in less than 50 GNC stores.
It’s our understanding the problem with the product involved a manufacturing error by the manufacturer where excess selenium was inadvertently added to the product. This was not a contamination issue. This manufacturing error occurred prior to when the new Good Manufacturing Practices (“GMPs”) regulations came into effect for dietary supplement products.
As soon as GNC learned that there was a problem with the product, it alerted the stores to remove the product. The product has not been sold since its removal, which was nearly 4 years ago.
Second, without specifics GNC cannot comment on any other dietary supplement products that purportedly failed testing or were contaminated.
However, it is important to remember that all manufacturers of dietary supplements are required to follow GMPs when manufacturing dietary supplements.
These regulations were enacted by the FDA in 2007 and cover an expansive list of required manufacturing processes and procedures ranging from personnel, physical plant and grounds, equipment and utensils, production and process control, batch record production, laboratory operations, packaging and label operations, holding and distributing, and record keeping requirements. The aim of the regulations is to ensure dietary supplement quality throughout the manufacturing, packaging, labeling, storing and distribution of dietary supplements.
The GMP regulations are relatively new and the FDA has been actively inspecting manufacturing facilities to ensure compliance. The GMP regulations were enacted in June 2007 and had a three-year phase-in period depending on the size of the company. Companies with more than 500 employees had until June 2008 to comply, companies with less than 500 employees had until June 2009 to comply and companies with fewer than 20 employees had until June 2010 to comply with the regulations.
We believe that, as the FDA continues with its GMP inspections, manufacturing issues with dietary supplements will be virtually eliminated.
Statement by the Council for Responsible Nutrition to Dateline NBC:
By law, every single bottle of dietary supplments sold should contain what is on the label. More than 150 million American take dietary supplments each year as part of their health regimens with little evidence of widespread adulteration or contamination of ingredients. We take seriously the allegations of fraudulent laboratory practices raise by this report, and urge FDA to use its ample legal authority to take legal action against the companies involved. Meanwhile, consumers should buy brands from companies they know and trust.
Steve Mister, President & CEO
Council for Responsible Nurtrition
Statement by the Natural Products Assocation to Dateline NBC:
The Natural Products Association is the leading representative of the dietary supplement industry with over 1,900 members, including suppliers and retailers of vitamins and other dietary supplements. NPA President Jeff Wright comments on the regulation and safety of dietary supplements:
“Consumers can trust what they read on the labels of dietary supplements. We share the concern about the issue of ensuring that products contain what the label claims and are not contaminated. This issue is highlighted, from time to time, in most consumer products industries, including foods, drugs and toys.”
“The Natural Products Association supports the goal of superior quality within our industry, other industries and the government. Fortunately, consumers are smart enough to understand that a few or occasional lapses in quality assurance should not translate into suspicion of an entire category of products, especially one with a strong history of safety. Otherwise, people may not eat eggs, spinach, tomatoes or pistachios today.”
“NPA has long supported government and industry actions to both produce dietary supplements according to good manufacturing practices and eliminate drugs wrongly labeled as supplements. Products that contain undeclared drug ingredients are not dietary supplements. These products are illegal drugs, and they have no place in the legitimate marketplace
“Selling products that contain illegal substances is a crime. Anyone who manufactures or sells these illegal products intentionally should be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
“NPA has been steadfast in its support for increased resources for the Food and Drug Administration. We also support government action against any laboratories that may use improper testing methods. We fully support strong rules to make sure that what’s on the label is what’s in the bottle. NPA has been a leader in industry efforts to attain this goal through our TruLabel and GMP certification programs.”
“It’s important to note that dietary supplements help millions of Americans address nutritional deficiencies and maintain and improve their health. NPA provides information about the regulation, safety and benefits of supplements online.
jcmbbfuture
New member
I think its so funny that everyone wants to bash GNC. I manage one myself and there are a lot of high quality supplements out there from good companies. Most of the sports supplements we sell aren't even GNC brand. Btw I run a franchise store where we have the cheapest supplements around. We even price match online sources but u can walk in and pick it up. Myself and my staff are more educated on natural supplementation than most of the people who write on this site. Are there bad GNC stores out there? Yes. Are they all bad? No. I dont go bashing on vitamin shop or needtobuildmuscle or any place else because I am sure they have quality products as well and there is always an exception. I have people who come from all over the trial county area to shop at my store because of our knowledge, service, and prices. Not to mention we do have several quality products that are GNC and other brands. Lets chill on all the hating.
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you are missing the point--GNC may do things NOW to be competitive but back in the day they were the only game in town and screwed everyone. If you deny it, you just don't remember the way it was.
not to mention some of us have MS degrees in either a life science or a hard science (in addition to other advanced degrees) or have been in the game for years and years, so be careful about to whom you claim superior knowledge. A BS degree plus training from the GNC Manual does not equal an MS, sorry.
not to mention some of us have MS degrees in either a life science or a hard science (in addition to other advanced degrees) or have been in the game for years and years, so be careful about to whom you claim superior knowledge. A BS degree plus training from the GNC Manual does not equal an MS, sorry.
yeah bro i feel your pain but read what i wrote above.. if GNC was such a great company they wouldn't be on the verge of bankruptcy, they wouldn't be paying their CEO 1.2M plus 3M in stock for running the company into the ground. bottom line is they aren't a good company and their bottom line reflects that. as eddy said, its kinda like blockbuster video's.. years ago they were the only place you could rent video's and they hosed people.. 7 or 8 bucks for a rental. now you can buy a DVD for 99 cents online.. their business model is outdated. gnc is the same way.. in the late 90's it was the only game in town, now with the internet and companies like NTBM its pointless to buy from GNC anymore. thats why they are in deep financial trouble.
yes of course the brands they sell are not GNC, but those same brands i can buy off amazon for less.. and i can buy the same product but with better quality and cheaper from NTBM. plus i dont have to worry about sales tax or walking through a bunch of annoying kids at the mall
jcmbbfuture
New member
Are u kidding me. Your argument of what they did is not relevant at all. The thread is what IS good to take at GNC. Not what WAS. Secondly I dont know u nor do I pretend to. I said I know more than MOST...not more than YOU. I am an exercise science major as well as an ISSA certified personal trainer not to mention I have worked with and or studied nutrition/supplems for almost 10 years. I dont need a "GNC manual " This is not a who's dick is bigger contest, however. I know there is a GNC stigma. You have made that painfully obvious. The point is that not all GNC stores are like that but I guess its just uncool to like GNC.
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die faster
New member
your gnc is alot different than the one we have by me.
to answer the question whats worth buying? based on MY experience with my local gnc, i would say blender bottle is the only thing i would buy from that piece of shit place, but only if its still under 10 dollars
needtogetaas
New member
You want to see what a real supplement retail store looks like???
My prices are half that of GNC.. Be looking for Needtobuildmuscle Retail stores in your state soon.
My prices are half that of GNC.. Be looking for Needtobuildmuscle Retail stores in your state soon.
needtogetaas
New member
Needtobuildmuscle.com I can get you anything you need in 2 days flat for free!! If you live in the USA
You want to see what a real supplement retail store looks like???
My prices are half that of GNC.. Be looking for Needtobuildmuscle Retail stores in your state soon.
If you need someone to run one in the San Francisco Bay Area I am your man! I have been seriously thinking about it bro!
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You want to see what a real supplement retail store looks like???
My prices are half that of GNC.. Be looking for Needtobuildmuscle Retail stores in your state soon.
those protein bars are a perfect example of what you CANT get at gnc. and the whey protein is in another league in quality, taste and price.
jcmbbfuture
New member
And I understand what u are saying Steve. The corporate model does suck but everyone is failing to realize the difference in a corporate and franchise store. The store I manage and one of our other stores are two of the most profitable in the state and we offer the lowest prices. We do it on volume alone. The most profitable stores in the nation are a chain of franchises in San Antonio. The owner drives around in a truck that says "guaranteed lowest prices" Again, he makes huge profits on volume alone. I will admit that corporate stores suck but not all of us fit in that category.
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jcmbbfuture
New member
And as I said...we price match!
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First you are the one who trotted out his dick size--
You have not been on the site long enough to know who writes and what their individual creds might or might not be. You said, in no uncertain terms, you know more than "most of the people who write on this site". It is this arrogance that personifies exactly what is wrong with GNC and its ilk and the stigma remains a valid characterization.
Second, the prior history of a business is relevant; why would someone do business with a company that took advantage of one in the past?? Because now they are being nice just to stay out of Chapter 7? Sorry, the notion of loyalty or disloyalty to a business is relevant to "what is worth buying..."--
Third, I am sure you price match but that still takes advantage of the uninformed consumer.
You have not been on the site long enough to know who writes and what their individual creds might or might not be. You said, in no uncertain terms, you know more than "most of the people who write on this site". It is this arrogance that personifies exactly what is wrong with GNC and its ilk and the stigma remains a valid characterization.
Second, the prior history of a business is relevant; why would someone do business with a company that took advantage of one in the past?? Because now they are being nice just to stay out of Chapter 7? Sorry, the notion of loyalty or disloyalty to a business is relevant to "what is worth buying..."--
Third, I am sure you price match but that still takes advantage of the uninformed consumer.
and i can respect that.. its your job and you want to help people as much as you can.. of course I am not saying every GNC store has idiots, in fact i never said that at all.. a dude has to make a living.. i'm in the financial sector.. a trader actually and people bash my job all the time and mis-represent what i do and think they know what i do so i am used to just ignoring ignorance. the corporate model does suck but its like that in every industry including mine when you are dealing with a big company. if i buy from gnc i'm feeding some fat cat CEO so he can buy another mansion or yacht.. when i buy from NTBM its a family owned biz owned by the same guy who founded it.. not some CEO who doesn't know the difference between white potato and sweet potato.
but more than that my beef with gnc is just the products.. the protein bars you sell vs. NTBM protein bars for example.. or the whey protein you guys sell vs. NTBM .. its cheaper, it tastes better, and its better for you if you look at the ingredients. thats what my point is. i think the thread got off track a bit earlier so don't take anything personally.. no one is bashing your job, just saying the products at NTBM are better.. its like a car salesman who sells Kia's vs. Mercedes..
but more than that my beef with gnc is just the products.. the protein bars you sell vs. NTBM protein bars for example.. or the whey protein you guys sell vs. NTBM .. its cheaper, it tastes better, and its better for you if you look at the ingredients. thats what my point is. i think the thread got off track a bit earlier so don't take anything personally.. no one is bashing your job, just saying the products at NTBM are better.. its like a car salesman who sells Kia's vs. Mercedes..
yep.
jcmbbfuture
New member
Exactly. I said under no uncertain terms. It was a general statement. Period. U took offense to it. It doesn't matter how long I have been here. I have literally read hundreds of threads on here. Just because I don't respond doesn't mean I do not take in what "credentials" people have. You are not even arguing over anything solid. U are focusing on the fact that I said I know more than most?! Big deal. My point was and still is that not all GNC stores are what u think they are. Period. I deal with the supplement industry daily and I can tell u the quality of products we carry (I am not just saying GNC brand) have increased immensely because of online competitors.
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Exactly! GNC is a joke. GNC preys on vulnerable people who don't know the difference between Vit C and D. They are totally overpriced and their products are totally inferior to N2's.. If I get pressed when I need protein when I am waiting for my products to arrive in the mail I go to Walmart...
jcmbbfuture
New member
Go look at companies like biorhythms or nds. What about universal or ultimate nutrition. Even optimum nutrition. These are all top quality companies that we sell more than our own products and prices that can't be beat (since we price match) U can't argue with this. It is a fact. Saying that GNC sucks and everything in it sucks is line saying every piece of clothing in the mall is not worth a dirty rag. There is no logic there. Ntbm I am sure is a great company. That's fine. Just saying the GNC sucks mentality is due strictly to misinformation. Period
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So you admit that if the quality of GNC improved, then it did so in response to the quality offered by internet retailers.
Thus, GNC is not cutting edge but taking its cues from online retailers ("increased immensely because of online competitors") and is thus not a leader but a follower.
So why buy from a follower and not a leader?
jcmbbfuture
New member
How does that even matter in terms of sales? Just follow online because they did it first? Really? How about the fact that u can get an online supplement for an online price but walk in to a store and get it immediately. That makes more sense to me.
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no, you missed the point, again. By your own definition your quality lags behind online retailers because your corporate model is competition responsive and not proactive. Your corporate model is like a trying to turn an tanker ship--by the time you adjust to the competition, they have already taken the next step.
As far as "makes sense" it makes sense to patronize a retailer that has a vested interest in quality and customer service b/c if the online retailers (the one that set the standards) fails, then history teaches us that GNC will return to business as usual: earning the largest profit the market will handle over people and quality.
jcmbbfuture
New member
I never said our quality lags. I said it has been forced to meet standards. If its good its good. Regardless of who started it. Not to mention u keep comparing our store model to a corporate one. Again, we are a franchise with a completely different model. If anything we are the pro active model. Online products and prices at walk in convenience. This is something that online supplement retailers can not offer unless they build a concrete store.
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so your business model is price match when required, otherwise charge as much as possible to cover the brick & mortar overhead, which as a rule, is about 8:1 -13:1 more than an online storefront.
Thus, the only person who should shop at GNC should shop for the best price first, and most certainly not rely that GNC is in any way competitive with the market except when required.
Moreover, as a franchise, you must purchase from the corporation and remit a certain percentage of sales for the fees and coop stuff. Thus your overhead is even higher than a corporate store so your ability to compete long term is probably not very good.
jcmbbfuture
New member
I am sorry sir but u again are wrong. Most all of the products at my store are already at reduced price and we price match to guarantee this is so. We can not always be aware of what online retailers charge there fore it is impossible to make sure everything is always at the greatest reduced price. And yes a 10% portion is paid in royalties but that doesn't mean we raise prices for this. For instance every time I sell a on gold standard whey I actually lose money. Again we make our money by volume. Not to mention one of our stores has been running for 15 years, the other almost ten and we have one that has been opened for nearly a year and a half. Ling term is not a problem.
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your long term survival relies on the health of the franchisor (which is not good); take away the benefits derived therefrom like volume pricing/distributorship agreements/marketing/geographic restrictions etc. and the business will not survive.
Without a house brand (e.g. like Needto) or the ability to buy in volume you cannot match the online model--the numbers simply are not there--the margins are just too thin. Even with loyal customers, it is virtually impossible to develop the critical mass necessary for certain types of business to survive, much less survive. I put together, take apart, and advise businesses for a living and have done so for 14 years--you may have a solid business today--but take the agreements away (that I suspect you have not even seen as they are very confidential) and you wither and die.
Without a house brand (e.g. like Needto) or the ability to buy in volume you cannot match the online model--the numbers simply are not there--the margins are just too thin. Even with loyal customers, it is virtually impossible to develop the critical mass necessary for certain types of business to survive, much less survive. I put together, take apart, and advise businesses for a living and have done so for 14 years--you may have a solid business today--but take the agreements away (that I suspect you have not even seen as they are very confidential) and you wither and die.
jcmbbfuture
New member
I am not gonna keep arguing. U are stating assumptions and I am stating facts. The stores I work with have been around long term and due to the fact that we have multiple stores we can buy in bulk and distribute and keep prices down. Again one of the most profitable chain of GNC stores does this. This is a fact. This is the future business model and if all of the GNC stores did this there would be no need for online retailers. We on average make almost 50% more than the average GNC store because of the volume we push. Not the price. The numbers are clearly there. Most of our top sellers we buy direct from the supplier and we are the cheapest place to get those products. Period. We can keep prices extremely low and still have a profitable margin. I will say again as I have said before...not all GNC stores are the same. We do have some top of the line products at unbeatable prices and this model has been shown to work. Period. U can't argue or refute this. We even occasionally take a hit to make sure that customers are satisfied and come back. This again is a fact. We still in turn have and have in the past years had one of if not the most profitable chains in the state. This again is a fact. U can speculate all u want but I know these things to be true. I see it every day. I see the numbers, the margins, and the cost. I make the orders and deal directly with some of the independent supplement companies we order from. These things u can not argue.
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jcmbb... lets talk about the products specifically. what percentage of your protein bars and other similar meal replacement type products for example contain high fructose corn syrup? its gotta be about half atleast.. i am assuming this because if i go to any drugstore or gas station and look at the protein bars 95% of them have HFCS. NTBM is 0%. NONE of nates products contain HFCS. this is important to me as I am a health nut. you are smart enough to know why HFCS is put into products, its cause its CHEAP and it makes the product sweet and taste better. nate uses real ingridents, not fillers. i would NOT buy from ntbm if nate took the cheap route and used HFCS or any other processed type of sugar. i work too hard to ruin my diet like that. and HFCS is the #1 reason IMO that america is obese, #2 being soybean oil which will NOT be found in any NTBM product as well.
also organic is important to me both because of the environment and again cause I am a health nut. what % of GNC products are organic? probably 0% or near 0% correct? many NTBM products contain organic ingredients. Nate knows that consumers like me are looking for organic and he is willing to spend a bit more to use those ingredients. most of GNC's customers just look at the price and will pick the cheapest product they can find, even if it has 20grams of sugar per serving.. NTBM protein has 1.7 grams of sugar per serving. thats a huge difference and can make or break someones diet. and since he has a background in food he still makes the products taste more delicious then GNC's products which goes back to what i said before about who is designing the products at NTBM vs. who designs them at GNC. the ceo of rite aid probably does not know anything about how bad HFCS is, all he knows it that is cheap and it tastes good and many of the shoppers there don't know the difference and are only concerned with saving an extra buck .. this is the bottom line reason I do not buy supps from GNC or any other large retailer. hope this explains where i am coming from, again I'm NOT attacking your job or your store, just trying to show you the difference between A and B
also organic is important to me both because of the environment and again cause I am a health nut. what % of GNC products are organic? probably 0% or near 0% correct? many NTBM products contain organic ingredients. Nate knows that consumers like me are looking for organic and he is willing to spend a bit more to use those ingredients. most of GNC's customers just look at the price and will pick the cheapest product they can find, even if it has 20grams of sugar per serving.. NTBM protein has 1.7 grams of sugar per serving. thats a huge difference and can make or break someones diet. and since he has a background in food he still makes the products taste more delicious then GNC's products which goes back to what i said before about who is designing the products at NTBM vs. who designs them at GNC. the ceo of rite aid probably does not know anything about how bad HFCS is, all he knows it that is cheap and it tastes good and many of the shoppers there don't know the difference and are only concerned with saving an extra buck .. this is the bottom line reason I do not buy supps from GNC or any other large retailer. hope this explains where i am coming from, again I'm NOT attacking your job or your store, just trying to show you the difference between A and B
jcmbbfuture
New member
It really depends Steve. GNC has a whey isolate that is 20g of protein and 93 cal per scoop with about a gram of sugar and the bottle it comes in has 51 scoops. It also has been inhanced with extra arginine and carnitine to get the added effects from those aminos. Cellucor has a protein with no added sugar, gluten, fillers, etc that is 30g whey isolate per scoop at only 130 cal with 1g of sugar. It has 30 servings. When it comes to bars it just depends. Most are low carb with the majority of the sugar coming from sugar alcohols. We do have the quest bar for instance though that has 20 g protein and 1g of sugar with 17g of fiber. Our herbs are all natural. We have a multivitamin line that is completely organic from all whole foods. We have loads of all organic greens supplements and other super foods. We carry the natural on gold standard that has no added sugar, gluten, fillers, color, etc and is sweetened with stevia. Are there some crap products...yeah (I really hate muscle tech for instance). We do have some really good ones though.
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jcmbbfuture
New member
And steve I understand and respect u have certain things u look for in products and that's fine. I have never once questioned the quality of ntbm but I can honestly say that GNC and several of the other companies we carry have come a long way in terms of quality. GNC has actually put forth a big effort in terms of research and development of products headed by putting together a very qualified team who's one purpose is to put together top notch products.
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needtogetaas
New member
Than STFU and put my products in the stores? But let me guess GNC would never do this and We all know why? Im way to fucking hard core and " real" pussy ass GNC lmao.. This is a hard core steroid forum not some Planet fitness fagot shit bro. You are talking to the wrong crowed we have 0 respect for GNC and everything about it..
needtogetaas
New member
BTW I love you EDDY... ANd steve too
needtogetaas
New member
Until I see a bottle of Beastdrol on a GNC shelf you can STFU and take a seat bro.
E
EarthRider
Guest
yeah great point, stop calling your faggot ass shit pink magic crap a test booster, it don't boost shit
Haha thanks steve. Took the words from my mouth.
I once bought a RTD isopure there when i forgot my whey shake.
jcmbbfuture
New member
Great representative of your supplements man. Ha ha ha. Its kind of a shame that u chose to act like that. They will never carry beast because its borderline illegal. U have said so yourself. Why carry something that is about to be pulled. I have yet to attack u or your product and u chose to act like a child. Great job man.
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jcmbbfuture
New member
Its almost a shame that there can be no objectivity on this site without being bashed. Way to represent e.f. guys.
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jcmbbfuture
New member
At least some people like Steve can act like an adult and have a decent argument. Not fuck this, pussy ass shit that. Ha ha ha.
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Laxfiend
New member
Amen bro
I almost never get mad--now, I am.
Objectivity? Okay, you want to engage in ad hominem attacks--you need to be put in your place.
I understand you are young and think you understand that way a business runs and I do not have the will or desire to explain in how many ways you have not got a clue--I am going to sound like a dick here but I have had enough of the kool-aide drinking nonsense you believe--
you are the manager of a supplement store who is exercise science major (no degree yet huh?) as well as an ISSA certified personal trainer.
I am an attorney BA, Magna Cum Laude from a top 25 university; I hold C.P.A., and have earned a MS (Biochem), a MBA Accounting and Finance), a JD (Law), and a LL.M ( post doc degree in Federal and International Taxation); I have 14 years experience advising businesses on M&A, liquidations, and general operations including franchise management; I sit of the Board of Directors of 3 companies and am General Counsel to 7; I am the primary mentor to a business incubator at a top 25 Graduate Business School; and teach Law in the Fall; this is in addition to my own firm of which I am a Managing Member--all of which a number of the bros on here can verify as they know who I am. Makes me sick just writing this but you need to know that you are in the wrong weight class and need to stop.
I have structured and prepared and/or reviewed all documentation related to franchises at a level that you cannot begin to understand. If you think you understand the all the financial aspects of the store you manage it is just an indicator of how little you actually know. Your own ramblings contradict themselves and you do not understand--or even grasp of what you speak.
Maybe you know supplements--but leave the business discussions to professionals. If you were one you would own the store not stock the shelves. I made more money while on a conference call while answering your non-sequitor replies all afternoon than you make in a week--maybe two or three a month?
Your loyalty is touching, really, but don't drink the kool aid to long as you will be looking for a job when a receiver or trustee takes control on the company when it tanks. Who knows, the firm hired to try and fix the company (or act as the trustee) may be mine--LOL
oh, and about Needto--he owns the company (among many others) you just work for one. He can say what he wants--he's earned his stripes.
man I feel like a dick after writing this stuff above but I could not listen to this anymore--ughghgh
I apologize to all the bros--except this GNC employee--for being a bragging asshole--
I apologize to all the bros--except this GNC employee--for being a bragging asshole--
needtogetaas
New member
tee hee..
needtogetaas
New member
I never said it had to be beast but the simple fact is not a single one of the products I sell ( except maybe protein) is pansy enough for the shelves of GNC...
I choice to speak to you in the manner that I have simple because I have 0 respect for gnc always have always will. Its no slight on you bro had we been having a totally different conversation I would be racking my brain trying to find ways to help you.
See I put my entire life into helping the members of this site and did so almost 3 years with 0 pay and did not own a damn thing. In fact I left my job as a executive chef and spent a good year in a 2 bedroom home with my wife and 3 kids living off money food stamps so I could be here on this site doing what I love to do. All in the hopes that it would one day become something. I have earned every once of the respect I get here and not even a pinch of it was handed to me.
So you can point a finger at me all you like but its not going to stick my friend nor will it ever. Not around here anyway..Besides its not like I called you a bunch of vulgar names and or bashed the living shit out of you...again This is a hard core steroid forum bro not planet fitness.. I'm betting this is where you work out ain't it? It is isn't it? Doing curls in the squat rack at the judgment free zone lmao.
OK I was just fucking with you on the last part though. So please don't hang your self man. In all honesty what did you expect coming her and spewing off what just about every man here utterly despises with a burning passion?
All I can really say about this post right here is... FCK YEAH MAN! Now that's the type of thing I like to read and truly appreciae... MUCH MUCH respect to you eddy... I don't possess all the credentials that you have, but I do have an MBA and have quite a bit of business experience but your post blew me away and I just had to take a second to give you some major respect on it!
I never said it had to be beast but the simple fact is not a single one of the products I sell ( except maybe protein) is pansy enough for the shelves of GNC...
I choice to speak to you in the manner that I have simple because I have 0 respect for gnc always have always will. Its no slight on you bro had we been having a totally different conversation I would be racking my brain trying to find ways to help you.
See I put my entire life into helping the members of this site and did so almost 3 years with 0 pay and did not own a damn thing. In fact I left my job as a executive chef and spent a good year in a 2 bedroom home with my wife and 3 kids living off money food stamps so I could be here on this site doing what I love to do. All in the hopes that it would one day become something. I have earned every once of the respect I get here and not even a pinch of it was handed to me.
So you can point a finger at me all you like but its not going to stick my friend nor will it ever. Not around here anyway..Besides its not like I called you a bunch of vulgar names and or bashed the living shit out of you...again This is a hard core steroid forum bro not planet fitness.. I'm betting this is where you work out ain't it? It is isn't it? Doing curls in the squat rack at the judgment free zone lmao.
OK I was just fucking with you on the last part though. So please don't hang your self man. In all honesty what did you expect coming her and spewing off what just about every man here utterly despises with a burning passion?
I'll tell you this bro... I NEVER get tired of reading your posts... I fcking seek them out for three reasons... One is that I ALWAYS learn something from reading them... Two is that I absolutely love the bluntness you possess and how you lay it on the line and three, I normally always get a fcking great laugh from them at someone getting put in their place!
Agreed bro. Good read.
Laxfiend
New member
I never said it had to be beast but the simple fact is not a single one of the products I sell ( except maybe protein) is pansy enough for the shelves of GNC...
I choice to speak to you in the manner that I have simple because I have 0 respect for gnc always have always will. Its no slight on you bro had we been having a totally different conversation I would be racking my brain trying to find ways to help you.
See I put my entire life into helping the members of this site and did so almost 3 years with 0 pay and did not own a damn thing. In fact I left my job as a executive chef and spent a good year in a 2 bedroom home with my wife and 3 kids living off money food stamps so I could be here on this site doing what I love to do. All in the hopes that it would one day become something. I have earned every once of the respect I get here and not even a pinch of it was handed to me.
So you can point a finger at me all you like but its not going to stick my friend nor will it ever. Not around here anyway..Besides its not like I called you a bunch of vulgar names and or bashed the living shit out of you...again This is a hard core steroid forum bro not planet fitness.. I'm betting this is where you work out ain't it? It is isn't it? Doing curls in the squat rack at the judgment free zone lmao.
OK I was just fucking with you on the last part though. So please don't hang your self man. In all honesty what did you expect coming her and spewing off what just about every man here utterly despises with a burning passion?
Dude you're a badass, I'm serious. So glad I found NTBM and stopped fillin myself with supplement garbage
Thanks bro--but you know its the time you put in-the degrees just give some perspective (and debt). I just could not listen to so much absolute misunderstanding of basic principles.
The only thing I am really proud of is my little girl (28 months), the rest is fluff.
I am sure he is a good bro but man he is so naive.
but bashing Needto who has built a freaking little empire out of nothing but sweat, one bro at a time--the old fashioned way superior products & customer service. I would love to have really explained why Needto will succeed where GNC will not but he just will not get it--not even on the most basic level. If I mention metrics he will think I mean kilometers or liters.
Anything above google level and his head would explode.
Thanks bro--but you know its the time you put in-the degrees just give some perspective (and debt). I just could not listen to so much absolute misunderstanding of basic principles.
The only thing I am really proud of is my little girl (28 months), the rest is fluff.
I am sure he is a good bro but man he is so naive.
lolll couldn't agree more man... love your posts and knowledge man... i always learn something from them... i appreciate it!
needtogetaas
New member
Thaks man.. you and 98% of the bros here are not to shabby your selves ether. Otherwise I would not have went through so much for all of you.
RADAR
Well-known member
Oh just drop it!
I've been i GNC many times i was wanting to purchase EAS products after looking i found they were double the amount from what i was getting from my supplier, oh! and some 5 lb protein jugs $80.00 Get real i'm not paying that.
In a few Yrs NTBM will be walking all over you and your store, sorry! thats the way it is....it's called competition! Live it-learn it!
Yups! That's the truth!
needtogetaas
New member
I had fun...
TheRippedReverend
Banned
GNC stands for Got Nothing Credible
jcmbbfuture
New member
No need to even have it rep opened. I have played nice the whole tine and have all but been attacked. I can only speak of what I know. The things I have said are fact. u can have all the credentials u want and I respect u for those accomplishments but all that has been said on here has been complete speculation. People forget GNC was started the same way ntbm was. By one guy with one store. We are now a publicly traded company with better growth than ever and we have done it with good quality products, low prices, and good customer service with an educated staff. Again... I have said many times that this doesn't apply to all GNCs but it does with ours. The business model works. Hell...look at Walt mart. Ha ha. We have the same thing going guys. Again...not all stores are the same.
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TheRippedReverend
Banned
Dude get off it! Seriously you make 8.75 an hour why defend this garbage!?
Gnc's staff is like having a women at an auto parts store! Or even a doctor telling you how to do steroids gtfoh!
Sorry ladies but true enough said!
die faster
New member
how does gnc have educated staff? the only thing theyre educated in is trying to push gnc brand supps and talk out of their ass about them even to the point of straight up lying.
jcmbbfuture
New member
Again... misinformed. Being franchised we are in complete control of who we hire. Everyone who works for us has some sort of fitness, nutrition and exercise back ground, degree, and or certification. We have several exercise and fitness graduates and almost everyone has a personal training /nutrition certification. That's a pretty educated staff. And u guys can throw "how much" money u think I make in this argument all u want. Its has no relevance and is quite honestly comical.
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E
EarthRider
Guest
Wow would someone work for you guys who has degrees and certs for $8 plus commission. Just a question.
I use to work for a franchise, and I know how they operate. You guys are probably selling supplements that aren't main stream, and that is how you make your living. Trust me, your franchise is not making his living off tubs of Optimum. Be honest, you're not like a typical gnc.
I use to work for a franchise, and I know how they operate. You guys are probably selling supplements that aren't main stream, and that is how you make your living. Trust me, your franchise is not making his living off tubs of Optimum. Be honest, you're not like a typical gnc.
jcmbbfuture
New member
I am being honest and I never said I was typical. Some work with us because work is hard to find. Some like myself are on salary and make pretty good money with great benefits. Others do it part time because they love it and have a constant paycheck. We have no one on our staff under 22 years old without some form of qualification.
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jcmbbfuture
New member
And we dont push a lot of main stream stuff. A lot of the main stream stuff is garbage but we find the companies such as ntbm who have good quality products at affordable prices.
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TheRippedReverend
Banned
Hi, welcome th GNC. So you say you been working out for 3 months consistent huh?
Ok, you got the job! Now go sell them supps boy make me proud!
All of our employees are 22+ lmfao! Yea, Ive banged more chicks on a weekend in Vegas than that age number.
Some slap this guy really all of our employees have degrees phd playa haten degree.
But we drive fast hondas in our wife beaters and pop GNC pills everybody thinks were cool!
Ok, you got the job! Now go sell them supps boy make me proud!
All of our employees are 22+ lmfao! Yea, Ive banged more chicks on a weekend in Vegas than that age number.
Some slap this guy really all of our employees have degrees phd playa haten degree.
But we drive fast hondas in our wife beaters and pop GNC pills everybody thinks were cool!
Laxfiend
New member
needtogetaas
New member
jcmbbfuture man you seem like a nice bro. I mean why else would you put up with all the smashing and still smile at the end of it all. You are a good sport at the least man and for that I give you some respect. I will never agree to enjoy walking into a GNC for any other reason than to talk circles around the people working there....
What I like to do is go in pretending I know nothing at all. Than like magic get smarter with every crap ass product he tries getting me to buy.
You know who I am going to hire for my store managers when I expand to other states? My N2BM Family. The reps and guys who have been with me since day one and have learned everything from me and each other. Ill find stores around the area they live in if I have to. Than I wont take hand outs from muscle-tek nor will my employees. No one working in my store will get a commission based off how many of a brand product they sell ever. No I will pay them all a good base pay and than a percentage of " ALL SALES" that happen during there shift. So that their advice is not biased like it is at GNC...
My employees will go through training about the supplements not FIFO, floor mopping and cash registers. They will be required to take at least 1 course or seminar on supplements/holistic health and or fitness every quarter too. Promotions will not be given off sales performance!!!!!!!!!!!!! But rather like Military stile. First they must make the points needed to move up to the next level. These points will be based off Time in service, time at the rank they are in now, courses on relevant subjects taken and passed. In store test ( about supplements, holistic health, and fitness) will be given and they will get awarded points for this also.
Once they have made points needed to move up to the next employee level than they will sit in front of the board ( ie Manager , district and so on) and be asked a ton of questions . They will be graded on how well they answer them and personal appearance as well. In order to move to the next rank they must both make the points and pass the Board exam...
Now this would be a respectable way of running a supplement " chain store" ... For now I just run the one store and I have 3 employees all of home I have trained my self and train more and more each day. I am hear almost 24/7 though so if a customer has a hard question Im on it. See its not just about the products my friend. Its about the service, the treatment, and everything else you experience when dealing with a company that matters and some times more than the cost my friend.
If your store carried my products or products like, ALRI, Purus labs, and some other awesome underground products than OK You are a needle in a hay stack my friend. But good for them if they do.
The one single thing I do respect GNC for though is their return Policy. Once you find out how badly you have been ripped off you can get a refund lol.. and even if you bought it at a GNC in Florida you can return it and get your money back at a GNC in Texas or Calefornia.. I respect the return Policy. Its the same one I use.
What I like to do is go in pretending I know nothing at all. Than like magic get smarter with every crap ass product he tries getting me to buy.
You know who I am going to hire for my store managers when I expand to other states? My N2BM Family. The reps and guys who have been with me since day one and have learned everything from me and each other. Ill find stores around the area they live in if I have to. Than I wont take hand outs from muscle-tek nor will my employees. No one working in my store will get a commission based off how many of a brand product they sell ever. No I will pay them all a good base pay and than a percentage of " ALL SALES" that happen during there shift. So that their advice is not biased like it is at GNC...
My employees will go through training about the supplements not FIFO, floor mopping and cash registers. They will be required to take at least 1 course or seminar on supplements/holistic health and or fitness every quarter too. Promotions will not be given off sales performance!!!!!!!!!!!!! But rather like Military stile. First they must make the points needed to move up to the next level. These points will be based off Time in service, time at the rank they are in now, courses on relevant subjects taken and passed. In store test ( about supplements, holistic health, and fitness) will be given and they will get awarded points for this also.
Once they have made points needed to move up to the next employee level than they will sit in front of the board ( ie Manager , district and so on) and be asked a ton of questions . They will be graded on how well they answer them and personal appearance as well. In order to move to the next rank they must both make the points and pass the Board exam...
Now this would be a respectable way of running a supplement " chain store" ... For now I just run the one store and I have 3 employees all of home I have trained my self and train more and more each day. I am hear almost 24/7 though so if a customer has a hard question Im on it. See its not just about the products my friend. Its about the service, the treatment, and everything else you experience when dealing with a company that matters and some times more than the cost my friend.
If your store carried my products or products like, ALRI, Purus labs, and some other awesome underground products than OK You are a needle in a hay stack my friend. But good for them if they do.
The one single thing I do respect GNC for though is their return Policy. Once you find out how badly you have been ripped off you can get a refund lol.. and even if you bought it at a GNC in Florida you can return it and get your money back at a GNC in Texas or Calefornia.. I respect the return Policy. Its the same one I use.
needtogetaas
New member
Not really dude.. you ever talked to a trainer at a gym? Their dumber then regular people most of the time. I can go take a test online right now and get a trainer certification..
The real question is this bro. OOO and you are going to hate this one....AGAIN!!! You are on a hard core steroid forum!!!! How many of your staff has a vast knowledge of chemical enhancement?? Out of that 1 person how many are willing to speak of it publicly right there in the store in front of everyone? OOO wait how many are allowed to lmao?
DING DING Start the count down boys this dude got laid out!!!
LMFAO!!!
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TheSVPdeal
New member
Honestly, JC is a good bro. I am not a GNC fan and haven't been to one in 10 years but JC has proved that there are some good guys there.
Let's give this dude a break.
Needto, I love your outline of future business model.
gymjunkie09
New member
me too, especially since i'm a rep lol...
jcmbbfuture
New member
I understand where you are coming from but GNC is not just about hardcore bodybuilding nor am I. Granted bodybuilding is a HUGE part of my life but overall health and nutrition is a huge part of my life too. U can have a hardcore shop but u dont get to help the 60 year old lady who has high blood pressure and cholesterol or the 55 year old man with arthritis or even the 15 year old under weight kid who needs to gain 15lbs to even step out on a football kid. For me its not just the haedcore sports bit tie preventive medicine and wholestic healing. We have no incentive at my store to push popular name brands. We go out of our way to get the good products...the products the customers want and not have someone come in who wants a ore work out and throw 3 cases of n.o
Explode at em.
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jcmbbfuture
New member
Strongbow
New member
Just FYI I hate all you mutha fuckkas, but if you still shopping at GNC you either have no Internet service or you're dumb as fuck, no other explanation for the shit.
A
ALIN
Guest
I think GNC is way overpriced on most things. If you catch a sale,,maybe then. I would shop around.
