GNC is the 800-pound gorilla of supplement companies. It would take you a long time to browse all of the products across in the ten different departments that make up their sprawling marketplace. Vitamins and minerals, herbal supplements, protein shakes, beauty supplements, probiotics, even fitness equipment - GNC has it all.
But how do they compare to competition in pricing, quality and customer experience? Here we'll share everything we learned.
What does GNC offer?
GNC offers its own brands of supportive supplements and sells a multitude of other brands as well in a massive online marketplace.
What do we like
Discount for Becoming a Member
If you become a GNC member, you'll be given a 15% discount on all items. You will be asked to provide an email address, birthday, and other information in order to become a member and access the exclusive offers - but there is no fee to join. Several special promotions are listed under each of GNC's vitamin/supplement categories.
Extensive Selection of Products
As the world's largest nutritional supplement company, GNC has an extensive selection of products. GNC.com has a wide selection of vitamins and supplements. The general categories include Vitamins, Sports Nutrition, Protein, Diet, Fish Oil, Digestion, Herbs, Energy, Pet Supplements, Beauty Care and Exercise Equipment.
With GNC vitamins located in over 50 countries, the selection of vitamin and supplement products include:
- Multivitamin
- Fish Oil & Omegas
- Sexual Health
- Minerals
- Bone Health
- Antioxidants
- Specialty Supplements
- Dietary Supplements
- Vitapak Programs
Among the vitamins and minerals line, some of the GNC vitamins include vitamin b complex, antioxidants, zinc, iron, amino acids, calcium, and many other health and wellness products.
Easy Website to Navigate
The GNC website is easy to navigate: we were able to find specific information about each product with ease, including instructions for how the product should be used, recommended doses, ingredients and nutrients, warnings, health notes, the product label, and customer ratings and reviews. Many of the products within a certain category look very similar, so the rating system and user feedback is a straightforward, easy way to learn more about the product. A helpful feature of GNC's site is the Tools & Resources section. When you hover your mouse over the top navigation, the Tools & Resources section appears in the dropdown offering further product and health information to help you decide what supplements are best for you.
Auto-deliver
As a GNC shopper, you can choose to auto-deliver, which automatically renews your supply of a product. Doing so will allow you to enjoy additional savings of 10% as well as free shipping. You can set up auto-deliver for the products you routinely need. GNC allows you to set the schedule that works for you.
Shipping and Return Policy
GNC can ship items around the world, including the United States and Canada. Shipping costs are determined by your order and the shipping method you select. The total shipping charges will automatically compute during the process, so you'll know how much shipping will cost before you complete your purchase. If you're shipping within the United States, you'll have the option to upgrade the shipping method for faster delivery (Ground, Third Day, Second Day or Overnight Service).
If you do choose to upgrade, your order must be received and clear credit authorization by 12:00 p.m. (noon) EST or your order may not be processed until the following business day. GNC accepts returns of used and unused products within 30 days for a refund. However, GNC will deduct any gift wrap or shipping and handling charges. The products must be returned in good condition and in the original boxes whenever possible - and be sure to include all paperwork and accessories to ensure full credit.
Quality
Customers have relied on GNC to provide top-notch supplements of the highest quality for decades. GNC employs scientists, nutritionists and quality assurance pros to test and maintain the quality of the ingredients that they source from around the world.
What we don't like
Pop-up Issues
A possible downside of using the GNC website is the pop-up prompts that appear while browsing. If you're inactive on the GNC site for a certain amount of time, a pop-up will prompt you to start a live chat with a GNC agent. These popups can be distracting and take away from the browsing experience. However, it also may be an upside if you have a question or need help - GNC will provide you with instant assistance.
Ethics
GNC still sells shark cartilage, as part of their GNC Natural Brand. This is basically inexcusable at this point in time; there's no scientific justification for it at all. In fact, there are compelling reasons why people shouldn't consume shark cartilage - it may contain harmful substances, and it contributes to the destruction of ecosystems.
