Pushy salespeople

Yesterday I went to GNC, a store I avoid at all costs because of their inferior and often dangerous products, which are popularly but erroneously viewed as high-quality because of glossy marketing, even though they are loaded with all kinds of poorly assimilated fillers, binders, and other synthetic ingredients which I don’t consider to be fit for human consumption.

The reason I ended up at GNC is because the shop I usually go to for supplements was out of what I was looking for. I was looking for pure BCAA powder, which is branched-chain amino acids; a powder you mix with water and drink before and/or after a workout. It’s used not only to help build muscle, but also prevent a catabolic response (breakdown of muscle) which could occur while working out in a fasted state, as I often do, as well as providing increased endurance and energy during a workout.

So I go to this store, which is located in the mall, of all places, and upon entering the store I am almost immediately asked by the salesperson on duty if he could help me find anything. I told him what I was looking for, but first he asked me “Are you eating five small protein meals a day?” I hesitated, not only because I didn’t see how the question applied to what I was asking for, but because I don’t eat five small meals a day, or even two small meals a day. I fast for usually 20 hours a day and eat one big meal, where I get most of my protein in that one big meal. Instead of explaining this, which I didn’t feel like doing, I simply answered by saying “Yeah, I try to.” He then explained that the only reason he was asking is because the BCAA powder is useless unless I am getting enough protein (as if people only use BCAA to build muscle).

So he first directs me to some shitty whey protein powder I didn’t ask for, made with the milk of diseased cows and loaded with artificial sweeteners. I told him I wasn’t interested. Then he shows me to the BCAA powder. I mentioned I was looking for something without artificial sweeteners (as many of these powders contain), so he showed me one that was mostly pure BCAA’s and didn’t contain any artificial sweeteners. Except it contained soy lecithin. I told him that I was not too keen on it because it contained soy, and he said “You mean soy or soy lecithin?” I am thinking “WTF, it’s the same fucking thing!!” I didn’t say it like that because I didn’t want to be rude, even though I found this guy’s pushy, know-it-all demeanor to be very rude. So the guy tries to tell me that soy and soy lecithin are not the same thing, even though soy lecithin is obviously a derivative of soy. He picks up the container, only to read out loud, “MADE WITH SOYBEANS.” He seemed embarrassed and almost flustered because I challenged his “expertise.” Then he goes on to tell me that ALL BCAA powders contain soy lecithin (not true), because otherwise they will clump up and not properly dissolve in water (true). Anyone who has used a pure BCAA powder knows they taste like shit and don’t dissolve easily at all, but the bad taste is still better than chugging down something that’s loaded with chemical additives or soy. So I then told the guy he was wrong, and that Vitamin Shoppe carries BCAA powder without soy lecithin, to which he responded in a visibly pissed off way, “Oh, ok.” I then said thank you and walked out of the store without buying anything.

If there is anything worse than a pushy salesperson, it’s a pushy salesperson who thinks they know everything and looks like they should be selling used cars as opposed to nutritional supplements.

 

Gnc.. lol. I remember that place.

They didn't try and sell you there name brand protein for 90 dollars?? Along with a multi vitamin and fish oil?

 

They can't put anything over on you, Matt, when it comes to that kind of stuff.

You could be a salesman yourself or even run your own health shop.

 

Depends.. Can he resist calling customer names when they insist on making the wrong choice?

 

Sounds very annoying. I hate it when i go to a store looking for sth specific and the salesperson starts showing me all kinds of stuff and explaining everything.
Just tell me if you have what i asked for or not!! jeez

 

Yeah I deal with sales people daily at work. When they start pushing shit like that I simply say, "look, I'm good at what I do and I know what I need. Can you sell it to me or shall I take my money elsewhere?"

The usually works pretty well

 

Pfff... some people.

Seriously, that does sound annoying. Have to be patient with slow people though, not everyone can be as smart as us.

 

The few times I've been to GNC the dude tried to act like he knew more about the topic at hand than me (maybe he did, maybe he didn't but going by what he said...he didn't) and he tried to push several products on me that I didn't want or need. I just bought what I wanted and left.

 

I have never been to GNC..

 

Real estate agents are just as bad hey.

 

Pressed, I think one problem is that overall we know pretty much bugger all about nutrition. Even academic studies are tainted by special interest groups.

I recently got told that whole grains cause Alzheimers and stuff. And that animal fats are now good again.

The world of protein is pretty complex. I've spent ages reading up and experimenting. But I can't say I can make much of a judgement on how healthy certain types are.

 

Was that from that "grain drain" thing recently?

 

No this was according to an Australian doctor. Glutens and stuff. Saying people didn't eat enough fats and stuff.

 

this makes me think of two situations where i encountered pushy salespeople.

one was when i was buying my wife's engagement ring. the lady at one store just went on and on about how great their diamonds were, and she didn't wanna talk badly about the other store...but then she proceeded to do just that. and she had fuckin bad breath. i didn't get the ring there, mostly because of her.

and another time at a head shop, looking for an in-line ashcatcher for my bong. actually, this guy was more of a shitty salesman than a pushy one. acted annoyed that i asked him to get it off the top shelf, and then he was pushy that i should just buy it. i was worried that it wouldn't fit my piece, and of course there were no refunds. i walked down the street and bought one (not in-line though), and saw this guy on my walk back. he asked if i found what i was looking for at the other store and i was like "yup "

 

Yes and there is always.always.always. new information. I think it's information overload and mostly unnecessary. An understanding of physiology and awareness of your body will get you farther than 99.9% of health studies and doctors recommendations...it is in fact an industry, meant to make money, not much more to it.

 

Eh, I avoid going into places like that unless there are other customers in the store (so the salespeople won't talk to me!).

I don't want to be rude to them, but I hate feeling pressured to buy shit. I don't even like when they say "hi" to me, bleh. Forced social interaction.

I try and keep in mind that most of these people are forced to behave the way that they do, and are often under a lot of pressure to recite silly spiels. I'm glad I don't work in retail, that is for sure.

The other day I went to a shoe store and a sales associate approached a woman trying on shoes and said: "Ma'am, did you know that all of our--"

And then the lady interrupted "boots are 40% off? YES. I saw the giant sign on the window and, guess what...I CAN READ!"

I thought to myself..."RUDE! Let the lady do her job."

 

I've run into tons of pushy salespeople in my time. Ugh

 

GNC sales associates work on commission and have quotas. Only one I ever felt comfortable with was in Aventura Mall in North Miami Beach, FL. She has been nicknamed Muscle Granny. She really seems to understand Sports Nutrition, and holistic self-care. She speaks English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Sweet little old black lady. Plus, she will always show you how to save money, and never recommend something she wouldn't give her own family. I moved from the area, and every once in a while she texts me to say she's prayed for me. All other experience I have had with GNC staff has left me confused, or feeling pressured.

I can't complain though. I'm a pushy saleswoman too.

 

Salespeople, scum of the earth. Also interchangable with politicians.