Bodybuilding.com is Number One!
So this past week I received my “first ever” shipment of online ordered supplements: Protein bars. For the past 25 years I have been buying supplements from one place exclusively, for the most part: GNC. Typically the bars I have purchased from them have been anywhere from bad to decent to just alright.
Now, let’s face it, protein bars over that time have made significant improvements. Anyone with me on this, when I say all protein bars pretty much used to taste like a card board stick? C’mon didn’t they? Is there anyone out there who used to actually enjoy these bars of necessity that had to be choked down just because they were high in protein?
NOTE: If you answered yes to the last question, hhmm, there may be no help for you. Sorry, I know this might be a tough moment for you and that this knowledge changes everything, but hang in there, science is advancing each day!!
Back to the point right? Okay, well I moved to Sierra Vista, AZ about 8 months ago and have really been struggling to find a place to buy my four to five boxes of protein bars I consume each month: bouncing back and fourth from one GNC in Tucson to another. And for the most part, finding myself relatively disappointed with not only the selection, but the freshness date: Most being right up against the eat by date.
So, two weeks ago, I made the decision to get on Bodybuilding.com with intent to just go ahead, pull the plug and see what this ordering supplements online is all about.
NOTE: Up until moving to Sierra Vista, I lived in Phoenix (where it can get up to 137,000 degrees on any given summer day, and therefore was always a little leery of ordering bars that may sit outside my door for any amount of time. Bars + 137,000 degree temps = Liquid protein goo: Not good! So, nonetheless, I never attempted the online ordering process. Since Sierra Vista’s climate is much milder than Phoenix (think San Diego, honestly!), if my bars had to sit outside after delivery, they’d probably be okay.
At any rate, I ended up ordering three boxes of Detour, Deluxe Whey protein energy bars and one box of MET-Rx Colossal Brownie bars and folks, let me tell you………Ready?
Honestly, it has been one of the BEST experiences of my consumer based life!! Seriously…I don’t usually tout too many things, but this experience has been so enjoyable from start to finish that I just had to write about it. The things I experienced:
-Easy online ordering experience
-Had an issue with the billing address (my bad) and Bodybuilding.com emailed me immediately to remediate the situation (quickly and painlessly!)
-Shipment arrived within three days
-Order was correct
-I received a thank you for my business email, calling me an “awesome customer”
-The bars are (ready for this) fresh off the production line
-No, listen to me…..these bars are literally right out of the plant…the Smores flavored bars are so fresh, the marshmallow-ee stuff in the bar literally strings out of the bar with each bite (kind of like a melted marshmallow does when you are camping out and roasting marshmallows!)
-Folks, these are the best bars I have ever consumed….Seriously!! Who knew freshness was the key to an excellent tasting protein bar?
-Billing was accurate and expedient
-Bodybuilding.com actually sent me two bonus items, just for ordering: A muscle measuring tape (which is actually very cool and much easier than a seam tape), and a pack of Monster Milk protein 50 mix
Parting shot: Bodybuilding.com will be the only place I shop for supplements from here on out. Not only did I find the products, flavors and availability I desired, but the customer service experience, was well, quite frankly, AWESOME! So rare, in these days of “zero customer service,” from most places of business.
Parting shot #2: Look at the world through the eyes of a child today, and you’ll realize what you’ve been taking for granted!
October 24, 2008 at 10:04 am
ROCK ON!!!! I’m so glad that everything was taken care of for you. Bodybuilding.com rocks the mutha luvin’ world!!
October 24, 2008 at 10:35 am
I’ve started ordering my supplements online because a BB.com friend said he orders from here and it’s so much cheaper than GNC.
My husband was skeptical until a guy who works for him said he orders his supplies from BB.com and it’s so much cheaper than GNC.
Now he’s on board and I realize I have no credibility with him. Husbands……… :S
October 24, 2008 at 10:48 am
BB.com is my second favorite site to order supps from. My first is a secret though… They don’t like me mentioning its name
Congrats on your liberating exodus from GNC!
October 24, 2008 at 1:09 pm
Thanks for the great BodyBlog posting! We will work hard to get EVEN better for you.
October 24, 2008 at 3:07 pm
I am so very glad to hear that your experience with us was so wonderful. have a great day and good luck with all of your goals.
October 24, 2008 at 4:01 pm
i agree 150% (i think i did the same math method you did for figuring out phoenix’s temps…
). that marshmallow description sounded SOO good!!
October 24, 2008 at 6:35 pm
I agree with you. Great customer service. I have to ask which protein bar did you like the best?
October 24, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Your just NOW figuring this out….geesh! :p
So can I have a bite of that protein bar? Pretty please?
October 24, 2008 at 10:08 pm
I used to buy shoes every month–now it’s supplements. The prices are the best and I love how informational the site it. You can purchase your products and read various articles about its usage–that is powerful!
October 25, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Smores? Marshmallows? I am intrigued! What did you get?
October 25, 2008 at 6:59 pm
Are you trying to get a bb.com sponsorship?? JK.
October 26, 2008 at 7:37 pm
hey honey! Just be thankful you CAN GET ALL THAT STUFF …. and soo cheap!! Its ridiculously expensive here in Australia - and most of the good stuff is banned!
:( … but hey.. there are some good points about living in Australia!!
October 31, 2008 at 10:39 am
Screw GNC!!! Sometimes the best stuff is right in front of your face.
November 6, 2008 at 7:45 am
BB.com is awesome. Even though I’m deployed I still get most products within a week to two weeks. Amazing prices too. I sometimes buy GNC if I’m in a bind but not anymore.
November 10, 2008 at 1:26 pm
I’ve been onboard the online supps for quite a while now…much cheaper and they send it right to my door! I used to buy from GNC when some friends owned it, but a corporate takeover crushed my insider contact!!!! No more discounts, no more "guinea pig" freebies. BB.com is easy, just pick what you want and it’s at your house in a few days…CHEAP! Welcome to online shopping!
November 19, 2008 at 2:05 pm
Fosheezy, ordering from here rocks like no other!! I hope you’re doing well, my friend!! Was in AZ this past weekend and had a blast - though I did feel a slight tremor… maybe it was you working out that day??
November 30, 2008 at 1:12 pm
"Bars + 137,000 degree temps = Liquid protein goo"
:) I can always count on your sense of humor to make me bust a gut.
And I’ve ordered online from bb.com several times. Have always been satisfied. Just as you describe the experience, Scott!
December 4, 2008 at 4:30 pm
Sadly, I used to work for GNC, and you are right on the money about the freshness dates… And the prices were jacked up, as well… Always enjoy reading your blogs!!!
December 28, 2008 at 8:20 pm
I worked for GNC, too, but I wasn’t too worked up about freshness dates. The protein bars weren’t what I was buying with my discount anyway. I was going through the arginine and ornithine which was promoted as the big thing about 20 years ago. I worked there during college. Cybergenics was big and I remember purchasing my first canister of Animal Paks, too. TwinLab Gainers Fuel was the bomb back then. HEY! UPDATE REQUESTED! UPDATE!!!
March 10, 2009 at 8:34 am
I LOVE ordering from BB!!