You know what I'm wondering? How the hell has GNC actually stayed in business all these years?
I know you like them McWay but it seems like you have found the trick of finding expiring products. Good strategy but that can't do much for them business wise.
Even if someone is just getting into supplements all they have to do is shop around a bit and they will realize they can get the products cheaper at just about any other place in the country. Who actually pays for the Gold Card and then waits to use it only one week of the month and then still pay more money for the product during that week?
Also its not like you can say they have good service. I walked into one of the plaza stores a few weeks ago. Nobody was working there! I was in the store alone for at least 3 or 4 minutes till another person walked in. Then, what looked like a 16 year old kid walked in with a drink in his hand, and asked if we needed any help. A dishonest person could have loaded their pockets up. Then I walked into a different location and the lady was so overbearing it just made for bad service. She would not allow me to just look for a second but kept trying to put products in my hands while rambling on making little sense. It wasn't till another customer came in that I was able check out some prices.
Not only that, I have yet to meet anyone that actually shops there. I mean not one person has told me in the last 10 years they actually shop there regularly. They must do well in the Vitamin and Herb department? Some how this business model has worked. It baffles me. Can anyone explain?
For starters, I'm having trouble remembering the last time I paid for a Gold Card. Usually, it's free if you buy at least $75 worth of stuff. I probably got it, after a big haul and simply have it renewed a month before it expired.
As for the customer service, usually all it takes is a simple "No, thank you!" to their offers for assistance and they leave me alone. I know for what I seek. If they have it (and the price is good), I buy. If they don't, I simply walk out.
Usually, I don't buy anything beyond Gold Card week, UNLESS the product is marked down so low, I figure it won't be there much longer. For instance, if they mark down IsoPure RTDs or CytoSport RTD for $0.99, I'll get them, Gold Card week or not.
Of course, there are those handful of GNCs that let you use the card every day. If I hit one of those, then I get the markdown products PLUS 20% off that price. Usually, it's just a matter of patience.