View Full Version : The Vitamin Shoppe "Experience"
Just wanted to say, I usually get my stuff online but this time I was on the road for business and had run out of my normal supplements. I headed into a local Vitamin Shoppe store hoping they had Animal supps. Lo and behold, I walked in and the sales rep brought me over to a nice display in the store. The people there were very friendly and knowledgable about the supps. For being a bricks and mortar store, I was also surprised to find the prices to be spot on. Overall, it was really refreshing to walk into a store and actually have someone help you out find the stuff you need without a hassle. Just wanted to give them some props.
Universal Rep
03-17-08, 11:53 am
Couldn't agree more, B. I don't always shop there, but from time to time I do when I need something quick. Always had a great experience. Staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Seems like more and more of 'em are popping up...
Mr.Totality
03-17-08, 11:58 am
thank goodness they are coming out more, instead of a GNC
Wasteland
03-17-08, 12:01 pm
I had a nice experience myself. I was looking for an Animal product as I was in a pinch. The sales rep offered to order it for me. At the time, I needed it ASAP, so I didn't take him up on the offer, but I appreciated that he was willing to go the extra mile.
Pizzalamp
03-17-08, 12:15 pm
the vitamin shoppe by me is pretty good-theyve got a small but good selection of animal stuff-good prices and NO TAX
Enforcer
03-17-08, 12:21 pm
thank goodness they are coming out more, instead of a GNC
I totally agree. GNC is over priced.
widdlewade44
03-17-08, 12:37 pm
It's nice when the brick and mortar shops can serve and turn you back into a repeat customer.
Times are tough and you have to shop around...not all the retailers are going to remember to 'take care' of the customers they have in their store (buying stuff)...
Kevin
widdlewade44
Ricky P
03-17-08, 12:45 pm
Couldn't agree more, B. I don't always shop there, but from time to time I do when I need something quick. Always had a great experience. Staff is knowledgeable and friendly. Seems like more and more of 'em are popping up...
It's wierd this was brought up today of all days. I'm with you Rep, when I need something quick or that same day.... There's one a town over from me I usually hit up. This morning when I woke up, I realized I needed to go pick up some more Pak and I thought about heading over there. I'm going to take this as a sign to get my ass there today instead of ordering it with the rest of my stack.
Universal Rep
03-17-08, 12:53 pm
It's nice when the brick and mortar shops can serve and turn you back into a repeat customer.
Times are tough and you have to shop around...not all the retailers are going to remember to 'take care' of the customers they have in their store (buying stuff)...
Kevin
widdlewade44
It's wierd this was brought up today of all days. I'm with you Rep, when I need something quick or that same day.... There's one a town over from me I usually hit up. This morning when I woke up, I realized I needed to go pick up some more Pak and I thought about heading over there. I'm going to take this as a sign to get my ass there today instead of ordering it with the rest of my stack.
Seems like "customer service" is a dying art in general, whether it's fast food or shops in general. Not sure why... Increased competition? If so, as far a I'm concerned, that's exactly the best reason to step up customer service.
Look here, the Animal brand has been growing phenomenally over the past 4-5 years. You think Corporate would be happy and say, "Hey U Rep, take it easy a little, you've done good..." Nah. They want to know what I'm doing to keep more customers happy, hahahaha... Corporate won't let me rest on my laurels, that's for sure.
Seems like "customer service" is a dying art in general, whether it's fast food or shops in general. Not sure why... Increased competition? If so, as far a I'm concerned, that's exactly the best reason to step up customer service.
Look here, the Animal brand has been growing phenomenally over the past 4-5 years. You think Corporate would be happy and say, "Hey U Rep, take it easy a little, you've done good..." Nah. They want to know what I'm doing to keep more customers happy, hahahaha... Corporate won't let me rest on my laurels, that's for sure.
And you damn sure haven't, that's why we, The Legion, are so loyal to Animal and the Universal name. It's one of very few in a world that's lost that one very important part of business and that's service. And not just service in terms of a checklist, but the type of service that doesn't get put in a stat line. Holding a door for someone, shit like that. Or when it comes to The Forvm, say you're one of a hundred winners in a promo and you don't get your "prize" when it seems like everyone else has gotten theirs, there is always someone there to make sure that you got it and if you didn't - they personally check and the next day it seems to make it's way to your doorstep. That's the type of shit that's missing and that's the reason why Animal and Universal have been growing so much for the last 4-5 years.
pmug0000
03-17-08, 1:07 pm
Wtf?? I was at a Vitamin Shoppe in Washington DC a few months ago and my experience was NOTHING like those that other people are speaking about. The employees didn't know shit about supplements, or even where to find things in their own store! And as far as the Animal line goes, all they had was Pak ($44) and Cuts ($50).
Haven't gone back since.
Wasteland
03-17-08, 1:10 pm
I too wonder what happened to customer service. Everywhere, it seems to be lacking. Is it generational, and a function of shifting demographics? Is it in the basic DNA of corporations to de-emphasize customer service in this day and age? Our consumers' expectations raised in some way? I don't know the answer. Sometimes, when I walk into a clothing store, I feel like the salespeson is the customer, expecting good treatment, and not me, the actual customer.
Seems like "customer service" is a dying art in general, whether it's fast food or shops in general. Not sure why... Increased competition? If so, as far a I'm concerned, that's exactly the best reason to step up customer service.
Look here, the Animal brand has been growing phenomenally over the past 4-5 years. You think Corporate would be happy and say, "Hey U Rep, take it easy a little, you've done good..." Nah. They want to know what I'm doing to keep more customers happy, hahahaha... Corporate won't let me rest on my laurels, that's for sure.
It's not just "customer service", it also has to do with giving a shit! I feel today people globally have stopped giving a shit, about everything, thats why people are getting fatter and fatter! Universal is one of a handful of companies like vitamin Shoppe who at the top give a shit so the people who work for them do as well. It is our responsibility as well as consumers to demand it! If you are being treated poorly or the staff is uneducated don't just stop going there, do something, complain! Why? because if you just decide not to go, there will always be some one else who will and they will continue to have shitty CS. My old man was a season ticket holder for Football, Ice Hockey, Baseball, and Basketball, because he had spent the money on tickets we couldn't get cable tv, he didn't want to pay twice for sports, he thought he was making a strong protest against cable and they would suffer! HE WAS SOO WRONG!
About vitamin Shoppe, before I found an internet shop that would send to Japan I would send my dad there to get the stuff and send it to me. I had been using a particular whey protein and he went for a refill and the guy in there recommended a different brand, so the old man called me to check, i didn't know it so searched BB.com, it was a superior product! As I gradually started adding sups me old man would get confused, but when he went there the guy would come right up to him and say "how is you son in Japan?", he even remembered what sups I was using! That is giving a shit! You can't teach that!...... sorry for the rant...
It's up to us......
ct italian 1
03-17-08, 9:12 pm
I too usually order online, but ever since I discovered the two local Vitamin Shops, I find myself frequenting them more and more. They are extremely friendly, competitively priced, and well-educated in the products on their shelves. Plus, they carry lots of Animal/Universal products so you def. can't go wrong!
widdlewade44
03-17-08, 9:26 pm
Seems like "customer service" is a dying art in general, whether it's fast food or shops in general. Not sure why... Increased competition? If so, as far a I'm concerned, that's exactly the best reason to step up customer service.
Look here, the Animal brand has been growing phenomenally over the past 4-5 years. You think Corporate would be happy and say, "Hey U Rep, take it easy a little, you've done good..." Nah. They want to know what I'm doing to keep more customers happy, hahahaha... Corporate won't let me rest on my laurels, that's for sure.
Service AFTER the sale is very important...and a forgotten art. But not with you, U-Rep!
Kevin
widdlewade44
It's wierd this was brought up today of all days. I'm with you Rep, when I need something quick or that same day.... There's one a town over from me I usually hit up. This morning when I woke up, I realized I needed to go pick up some more Pak and I thought about heading over there. I'm going to take this as a sign to get my ass there today instead of ordering it with the rest of my stack.
That is weird Ricky, that's quite a coincidence lol.
Universal Rep
03-18-08, 9:46 am
Service AFTER the sale is very important...and a forgotten art. But not with you, U-Rep!
Kevin
widdlewade44
Awwww, shucks W...
Most companies think they deserve respect because they are "The Company". I mean look at doctors. In the old days, patients never questioned 'em. Nowadays, with the internet and consumers researching more and more, the relationship is changing, know what i mean? Same with businesses. I know that any company has to earn a customer's respect. People don't blindly believe in a company these days it seems. People are just more cynical in this day and age... So you gotta earn their trust and respect one at a time, the old fashioned way.
It's nice when the brick and mortar shops can serve and turn you back into a repeat customer.
Times are tough and you have to shop around...not all the retailers are going to remember to 'take care' of the customers they have in their store (buying stuff)...
Kevin
widdlewade44
I'd have to agree Kevin. I'm often away on business and like to shop at brick and mortar shops for supplements rather than order online. There's just something about walking into a store and seeing the wide array of products available that I look forward to going back each time. Kinda hard to explain haha, but I'm really pleased with the fact that Vitamin Shoppe is working hard to keep me (and others) as a repeat customer. Shows me that they really value their customers.
Wtf?? I was at a Vitamin Shoppe in Washington DC a few months ago and my experience was NOTHING like those that other people are speaking about. The employees didn't know shit about supplements, or even where to find things in their own store! And as far as the Animal line goes, all they had was Pak ($44) and Cuts ($50).
Haven't gone back since.
Wow, I've never seen VS list their prices at full price. Usually, when I've bought my stuff there, it always has a percentage off and I usually get coupons in the mail that I use to get a further discount. Love those coupons!