The Vitamin Shoppe

I was on the hunt for Quest Nutrition Bars, and I was happy that I found a place SO NEAR my house that has them in stock! This was my first time ever stepping into this Vitamin Shoppe; I’ve seen it obviously because I like to drop by and see what TJ Maxx has on sale.
The people that work here are very friendly, and greeted me in with an enthusiastic smile! I did however, need some help reaching a Cookies & Cream Quest Bar because I’m too short. That was the only time I really asked for help, lol. In regards to the variety of Quest Bars in stock, they had the majority of them. I definitely recommend Cinnamon Roll, Peanut Butter Cup, and Cookies & Cream! I did buy a Raspberry Cheesecake Quest Bar, but I found that one a bit too sweet.
And next to being close to home, it’s also close to where I work! I will definitely be coming by here more often for boxes of Quest bars. I mostly buy my whey protein powders online, but once I’m finished with mine (which is not for quite some time!) I’m planning on checking this place out.

I can’t relate to the poor reviews, probably because I don’t buy my major supplements here; but when I stop in for a «snack» (i.e. RTD/​protein bar), they usually have what I’m looking for and the staff is always helpful.
Highlights:
— Juiceheads aren’t running the place.
— Kelly (the manager) was very personable and recommended a good protein bar for my taste/​preferences.
— Good prices, brightly lit store.
— They carry Quest Protein Bars, most flavors.
— A good selection of RTD’s (Ready-​to-​Drinks) on the refrigerated shelf. Surprisingly, a lot of nutrition stores don’t take advantage of this.

I used to go here all the time when they had a couple people that actually took the supplements I was looking into and also when they had a lot better deals. Now it’s just a store with high priced supplements and college students as employees.

I went in today looking for calcium tablets (probably among the most common item that a so-​called vitamin superstore carries outside of vitamin C). It was a complete joke!
When I first came in the store, a younger brunette girl asked if she could help me find anything and then directed me to the calcium section. Although they did carry my preferred brand, they did not have specifically what I was looking for, so I began looking for a substitute.
After a few minutes, an older gentleman approached me and asked if I needed help.
I explained my situation and specifically told him that I needed calcium only (no magnesium) tablets and that I was not interested in any capsules because they often contain gelatin, which I do not eat.
He then asked if I had considered the ‘store brand’ and picked up a Vitamin Shoppe brand bottle of calcium gelatin capsules and told me that that was what he recommended. I reminded him that that was specifically what I had just told him that I sought avoid and he just gave me a blank expression said, «Oh». I left feeling frustrated and annoyed.
I will never patronize the Vitamin Shoppe again. They are simply too stupid!
02/​18/​2013 ADDENDUM in response to owner:
I explained clearly what I needed to the first and second associate. (As anyone bothering to READ can see) I clearly state this in my Unilocal review! Even the customer service damage control monkeys that the Vitamin Shoppe hires (to try to clean up it’s mess after the fact) ALSO have trouble with the most basic level of communication. Try reading my post RYAN!!!
I did not snap at anyone at any time. I simply walked out. The fact that YOU, Ryan D., were not present (and therefore have no clue what you are saying) and are now couching me as some sort of person that just ‘snapped’ is totally out of line and incorrect! I would suggest that in the future that you refrain from commenting on situations about which you are obviously ignorant!!! If i had any respect left for this company before today, it is certainly out the window now! What a complete JOKE!
02/​26/​2013 Note: I called and left a message for the manager Ryan and requested a call back a.s.a.p., but received no contact of any kind. I am now considering going to VS corporate over this.

well, im a pretty big supplement buff and this places really disapointed me. frist vitamin shoppe ive been to, i usually purchase from online stores. At first it looked as if it had great selection (more than other supplement store ive been into) and it was a remotely clean place. I was browsing the supps i havent seen before waiting to be approached, that never happened. so i decided to pick the brain of the employees. and my one question got three completely, oblvious answers and then i was passed to the next employee who might have known less about supplements but more about bull, you know what. came in thinking i was going to get a stack and try something new, left with a Celsius (energy drink)

Wow, I’m surprised at the reviews so I will have to go back another time to re-​review. When I went in today, I was definitely taken aback by the selection in vitamins, however, there were many brands they didn’t carry and not one associate could answer my questions thoroughly enough to make me feel confident in purchasing any of their products. I asked for pharmaceutical grade Omega 3’s and they couldn’t direct me. I asked what the top brand of CLA was and they just referred to their brand. A good associate will be able to list at least two or three decent brands to choose from. It seems as though the people who work there are pressured to sell the Vitamin Shoppe’s brand since they kept referring to it each time I inquired about a different supplement. No bueno.
Nonetheless, the store was very clean, the layout is nice, everything was in it’s place, and it is easy to navigate around. However, since I seek a reputable place with knowledgeable workers, I think I’ll be sticking to my local GNC.

This is my favorite location in San Diego. Their selection is the best and I have never had a problem there trying to match an online price.

This store was the only store that had what i needed! I had a very knowledgeable employee give me a lot of great information on various vitamins i was interested in and their effects both positive and negative. I was very impressed with this store.

This location is pretty convenient for me. Great selection of flavors when it comes to my proteins. The greatest thing ever is that you can use your smart phone and bring up the vitamin shoppe website on your phone and if the price is cheaper on the website all you have to do is show the staff and they will price match! I saved like $ 20 in a visit when i bought Syntha6 and ON Whey. Great deal!
The staff is pretty friendly but i honestly see new people in there very often so im assuming the turnover rate for this place is pretty high. I

Great place to pick up vitamins and healthy nutrients. Staff is helpful and always willing to provide answers. I use the supplements to assist with my medical treatments. My doctor prescribed supplements and this is the place I go to pick them up because they know what I am talking about when I discuss my problems like Migraines.

The usual spot I get my supps (It’s pretty close to where I live so it’s convenient):
The latest visit I had was the best. The sales associate, Karyn (I think was her name) was awesome!!! She educated me on the proper supplements and how to get the best value for my buck! She was quite knowledgeable. Wow. that’s the first!
Anyways, some of my usual MUST haves:
Miscellaneous Burt’s Bees products (sometimes on sale)
LARA Bars (Apple pie flavor)
Energy Supps (pre– workout)
Raw Iron — Vitamin Code
ZMA — Anabolic Sports Recovery
Cod Liver oil
L-​Theanine
Stress-​B Complex
Borage oil
Nothing on my list to BULK up. but maybe I’ll reconsider when I decide to compete as a body builder. For now, I just want to stay pretty active and maintain a healthy lifestyle and these items help contribute to that.
Thanks Vitamin Shoppe and the kind staff for the assistance!

Stocked full of supplements for all you body building freaks and geeks. You walk in and their is a stack of NOxplode sitting taking up half the entryway. They aren’t stupid… they know BSN supps sell the most to those suckers willing to pay the incredible markup. Anyways, I like NOxplode too but god damn that shit’s expensive.
GNC is wary of Vitamin Shoppe because they don’t suck as much ass. The internet doesn’t give a fuck because they know they’ll always be cheaper (I’m talking as if the internet is a store/​person… wtf?).
Vitamin Shoppe’s staff don’t really know much about supplements so if you are going here to ask advice make sure the person is at least in shape before taking anything they say seriously. Other than that this location isn’t that bad. I broke a bottle and they didn’t make me pay for it! Sweet. Plus a star there.

I normally order my sups online, but I was in a bind a few weeks ago. I went to every GNC in the area with no luck. Nobody had what I needed (ON Casein).
On a whim I stopped into the Vitamin Shoppe. It was like Christmas. They had everything I needed and the prices were the best I have seen at retail.
No more GNC or Muscle Max for me.

I still say order your supplements online. You’ll save a grip of money and you usually get free gifts as well. If you absolutely MUST have supplements now or if you live in an apartment and getting packages is a pain in the ass, Vitamin Shoppe works. Dont even bother with GNC. The guys here aren’t that knowledgeable, but they’re friendly at least and know which products will give you the best deal if you’re on a budget. Join their club and you’ll get coupons in the mail for some store credit if you shop there enough.