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eIn07912
Joined: 06 Dec 2008
Location: seoul
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 Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:31 am Post subject: GNC in korea is a joke |
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they never have what i need. and when they do, its easily 3 or 4 times the price.
how hard is it to get some BCAA (branch chain amino acids)? all the GNC's here have is friggin vitamin C and stuff. what gives? its basically the same as a pharmacy around the corner. and they only carry 3 kinds of protein shakes. wtf? i thought koreans were supposed to be into health and fitness. or is that just another myth, like theyre friendly or r smarter cause their heads r bigger???
anybody know where i can get a good selection of stuff a gym monkey would need? energy pills or shakes, nice selection on protein shakes, carb shakes, meal substitutes? even online is cool. i called GNC america today and they said they dont ship overseas. damn!! |
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sportsguy35
Joined: 27 Apr 2005
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| Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:47 am Post subject: |
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| Wow, 'roid rage in the written form. Continue getting angry and increasing the stereo-types of muscle heads all the more... |
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in_seoul_2003
Joined: 24 Nov 2003
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| Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 12:56 am Post subject: |
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| Besides what probably amounts to rediculous import taxes and the over-pricing they think is justifiable because of their brand-image, one of the reasons GNC does so poorly is because GNC products sold at Namdaemun are cheaper than at GNC stores. |
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IMF crisis
Joined: 27 Mar 2008
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| Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 1:39 am Post subject: Re: GNC in korea is a joke |
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| eIn07912 wrote: |
i thought koreans were supposed to be into health and fitness. or is that just another myth, like theyre friendly or r smarter cause their heads r bigger???
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Or maybe they don't equate weight gain with health and fitness. |
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antoniothegreat
Joined: 28 Aug 2005
Location: Yangpyeong
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| Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 1:55 am Post subject: Re: GNC in korea is a joke |
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| IMF crisis wrote: |
| eIn07912 wrote: |
i thought koreans were supposed to be into health and fitness. or is that just another myth, like theyre friendly or r smarter cause their heads r bigger???
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Or maybe they don't equate weight gain with health and fitness. |
that's true, they probabley just thinkyou are fat.
i have seen that. a few big body builder types, and the korean kids call them fat. mind boggling.
i am not a body builder, but i am a broader, big shoulder guy. i could lose about 5kg of fat, but if i lost 10, i think it wouldnt be healthy. koreans think i should lose 15. they really dont understand the difference of big build and fat. amazing. (i am waiting for the cartman jokes...) |
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eIn07912
Joined: 06 Dec 2008
Location: seoul
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| Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 2:13 am Post subject: |
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that's true, they probabley just thinkyou are fat.
i have seen that. a few big body builder types, and the korean kids call them fat. mind boggling.
i am not a body builder, but i am a broader, big shoulder guy. i could lose about 5kg of fat, but if i lost 10, i think it wouldnt be healthy. koreans think i should lose 15. they really dont understand the difference of big build and fat. amazing. (i am waiting for the cartman jokes...) |
yeah, i get that from time to time as well. but honestly, the hangukins arent as "healthy" as they like to think they r. sure, they down less coke and pizza than we do, but rice and kim chi can only go so far. the pack a day i see the guys puffin isnt doing any good. and all that sweet coffee the girls r on is just a time bomb ready to balloon their arse in 20 years.
also, i see guys at the gym doing this miniscule reps with tons of weight. not even a half rep, like for example, loading the bench press bar up with 60 kg on each end, then dropping the bar maybe a centimeter or two. how they think that is building muscle, i'll never know. but i see it everywhere now, like its a fad or something. every guy is doing every exercise with hardly any range of motion. theyre just ripping their joints to shreds. i see a lot of guys with bone and mobility problems when theyre older because of this stuff. i wish i could tell them, its not about slinging 200kgs around. its about lifting 50kgs with perfect form and control. isolating the muscle and not cheating it. but u know, im a foreigner here, so obviously, im clueless about this stuff.
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| because GNC products sold at Namdaemun are cheaper than at GNC stores. |
please bestow ur knowledge on me great leader
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| Wow, 'roid rage in the written form. |
im not on the juice, but could u hook a brother up?.. lol |
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sojourner1
Joined: 17 Apr 2007
Location: Where meggi swim and 2 wheeled tractors go sput put chug alugg pug pug
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| Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 2:15 am Post subject: |
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| in_seoul_2003 wrote: |
| Besides what probably amounts to rediculous import taxes and the over-pricing they think is justifiable because of their brand-image, one of the reasons GNC does so poorly is because GNC products sold at Namdaemun are cheaper than at GNC stores. |
Where else would these products come from other than AAFES PX serving Americas finest? AAFES seems to be on the only real source of American market import goods. Costco seems to be pretty good, but limited and in too large of quantities though you can get many Costco products on Gmarket.co.kr Costco appears the only supplier of import goods found in Gmarket, but no American market GNC products are on there.
GNC Korea just doesn't carry much more than over priced vitamin C and lecithin as the OP ranted about. I too would like protein shake mix, but didn't see any on Gmarket nor in Seoul. I'd also love some good healthy choice type of meals or those meal replacement thingies. There seems to be no more use for a microwave than heating water or leftovers as there aren't those green box Healthy Choice frozen meals.
Would be nice to have a fun loving soul at home send us all care packages since this really is one country where you can't get things despite it being one of the wealthy developed economies of the world. Well, it's just plain strange and folks at home wouldn't have a clue that you need to have these sorts of things shipped over as they take it for granted that everything is for sale as that's all they've even known. Airmail is their only option since USPS quit international surface mail in 2007 and it's pricey. It's about $50 to $60 to have a 10 pound box sent to Korea. Maybe it's possible to send them money to do some shopping and send it to you? I found my people were too busy and took forever at it so I don't try it any longer. |
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eIn07912
Joined: 06 Dec 2008
Location: seoul
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| Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 2:36 am Post subject: |
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Where else would these products come from other than AAFES PX serving Americas finest? AAFES seems to be on the only real source of American market import goods. Costco seems to be pretty good, but limited and in too large of quantities though you can get many Costco products on Gmarket.co.kr Costco appears the only supplier of import goods found in Gmarket, but no American market GNC products are on there.
GNC Korea just doesn't carry much more than over priced vitamin C and lecithin as the OP ranted about. I too would like protein shake mix, but didn't see any on Gmarket nor in Seoul. I'd also love some good healthy choice type of meals or those meal replacement thingies. There seems to be no more use for a microwave than heating water or leftovers as there aren't those green box Healthy Choice frozen meals.
Would be nice to have a fun loving soul at home send us all care packages since this really is one country where you can't get things despite it being one of the wealthy developed economies of the world. Well, it's just plain strange and folks at home wouldn't have a clue that you need to have these sorts of things shipped over as they take it for granted that everything is for sale as that's all they've even known. Airmail is their only option since USPS quit international surface mail in 2007 and it's pricey. It's about $50 to $60 to have a 10 pound box sent to Korea. Maybe it's possible to send them money to do some shopping and send it to you? I found my people were too busy and took forever at it so I don't try it any longer. |
talked to the guys at bodybuilding.com they ship international!! S/H price is a b**** though. nearly 30 bucks on top or ur oder to have it here in a week. but, a lot of their stuff is "whole sale" price, so 50 bucks for that protein mix, instead of 70. not a huge difference, but their selection covers pretty much everything under the sun. and i mean everything, fat loss, muscle builders, metabolism boosters, meal replacements, go bars, gloves, clothes, books, etc, etc, etc...
not a bad idea though on having someone do this for us state side. probably still cheaper than the site. or, could just make a really good friend on one of the bases. |
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kiknkorea
Joined: 16 May 2008
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| Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 2:56 am Post subject: |
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| sojourner1 wrote: |
| Costco seems to be pretty good, but limited and in too large of quantities though you can get many Costco products on Gmarket.co.kr |
The Costco quantities are pretty standard for things like protein powder. You basically get a 1 month supply, depending on how much you want to take. But their overall supplement selection is limited compared to a GNC. You could check around some gyms, as many sell these products. |
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Xuanzang
Joined: 10 Apr 2007
Location: Sadang
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| Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 3:10 am Post subject: |
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| sojourner1 wrote: |
| in_seoul_2003 wrote: |
| Besides what probably amounts to rediculous import taxes and the over-pricing they think is justifiable because of their brand-image, one of the reasons GNC does so poorly is because GNC products sold at Namdaemun are cheaper than at GNC stores. |
Where else would these products come from other than AAFES PX serving Americas finest? AAFES seems to be on the only real source of American market import goods. Costco seems to be pretty good, but limited and in too large of quantities though you can get many Costco products on Gmarket.co.kr Costco appears the only supplier of import goods found in Gmarket, but no American market GNC products are on there.
GNC Korea just doesn't carry much more than over priced vitamin C and lecithin as the OP ranted about. I too would like protein shake mix, but didn't see any on Gmarket nor in Seoul. I'd also love some good healthy choice type of meals or those meal replacement thingies. There seems to be no more use for a microwave than heating water or leftovers as there aren't those green box Healthy Choice frozen meals.
Would be nice to have a fun loving soul at home send us all care packages since this really is one country where you can't get things despite it being one of the wealthy developed economies of the world. Well, it's just plain strange and folks at home wouldn't have a clue that you need to have these sorts of things shipped over as they take it for granted that everything is for sale as that's all they've even known. Airmail is their only option since USPS quit international surface mail in 2007 and it's pricey. It's about $50 to $60 to have a 10 pound box sent to Korea. Maybe it's possible to send them money to do some shopping and send it to you? I found my people were too busy and took forever at it so I don't try it any longer. |
There's websites that will redirect mail to Korea if you purchase something from a US only shopping website. |
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camaroclow
Joined: 10 Apr 2008
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| Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 3:10 am Post subject: |
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www.mass119.com
get my cellmass an no xplode there. shipping is 10,000. comes from california. takes about 3 days. have a huge variety of stuff. it's a little more expensive then buying stuff at home but what can you do... i had my director at work to set up my account as you need some sort of special number that us waygooks don't possess.
www.gmarket.com
cheap protein. i have no complaints about the quality or tastes. i use a whey and a weight gainer from there. |
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Gatsby
Joined: 09 Feb 2007
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| Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 3:33 am Post subject: |
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While I have not been to a GNC in Korea, the OP is right, in general.
I happened to see a store one night from the bus with a nice big colorful sign saying "Vitamin House." But when I went back there later looking for some supplements, my heart sank as I entered. It another "pharmacy" clone. (I put pharmacy in quotes because those not already in Korea might actually mistakenly believe a Korean pharmacy resembles a Western drug store.)
I asked for some supplements and got a blank stare. You want vitamin C, he asks? No. You want B complex? No. You want DHA? Vitamin E? No. I write down what I want. Blank stare. Sorry, we don't have it. I'm very sorry.
B complex! Wow! That's the first time I have found that in Korea. But I brought enough.
These folks are clueless that there are other vitamins and supplements in the world besides what little is sold for 10x the normal price in Korea.
As to Costco, this is not an extension of the North American Costco. The vitamin formulas are different here, and pretty pathetic. It will set you back about 20,000 won for "Eye Vitamins," i.e., a bottle of maybe 250 tablets of vitamin A -- probably the cheapest vitamin on Earth, outside of Korea.
As to ordering online, be VERY, VERY suspicious of Korean companies promising to deliver something for you from overseas, but you must pay the customs. I tried a site highly recommended by someone on Dave's. They took my money online, and then nothing. When I went back to check, their website was "under construction." Goodbye money.
Another outfit takes your money, but then after a month or two, says the item is no longer available and sends your money back. All while still listing the item online as available. This has been going on for months.
These Korean sites figure you will be patient for an overseas delivery, aren't likely to be able to complain in Korean, and take advantage of you.
If you can find a company back home that ships for a reasonable rate, that's the way to go. eBay may also be an option. Better yet, bring plenty of vitamins with you. They don't seem to ask any questions of anyone about supplements when you enter. |
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in_seoul_2003
Joined: 24 Nov 2003
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| Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 8:41 am Post subject: |
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| sojourner1 wrote: |
| in_seoul_2003 wrote: |
| Besides what probably amounts to rediculous import taxes and the over-pricing they think is justifiable because of their brand-image, one of the reasons GNC does so poorly is because GNC products sold at Namdaemun are cheaper than at GNC stores. |
Where else would these products come from other than AAFES PX serving Americas finest? AAFES |
Yep, that's exactly where they come from. Ironically, they come from the GNC store on base, probably the only way GNC makes money: selling to the Americans and indirectly to the Korean grey market, while the base retail store trumps all the Korean GNC retail stores.
OP, Mass119 is what you want. |
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bogey666
Joined: 17 Mar 2008
Location: Korea, the ass free zone
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| Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 8:44 am Post subject: |
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never ever pay for ANYTHING at GNC.
GNC is like flying out of Korea... preposterously overpriced on every level.
how the "F" can they justify the fares they charge?
but I'm digressing.
You will find what you want online for HALF the price or less off anything GNC provides.
it's the supplementation retailing industry's answer to "Needless Markup" (aka Neiman Marcus) |
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Ukon
Joined: 29 Jan 2008
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| Posted: Mon Jan 05, 2009 9:19 am Post subject: Re: GNC in korea is a joke |
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| antoniothegreat wrote: |
| IMF crisis wrote: |
| eIn07912 wrote: |
i thought koreans were supposed to be into health and fitness. or is that just another myth, like theyre friendly or r smarter cause their heads r bigger???
|
Or maybe they don't equate weight gain with health and fitness. |
that's true, they probabley just thinkyou are fat.
i have seen that. a few big body builder types, and the korean kids call them fat. mind boggling.
i am not a body builder, but i am a broader, big shoulder guy. i could lose about 5kg of fat, but if i lost 10, i think it wouldnt be healthy. koreans think i should lose 15. they really dont understand the difference of big build and fat. amazing. (i am waiting for the cartman jokes...) |
I've experienced the opposite...your build sounds like mine and If I suggest I wanna lose that extra 5kg they think I'm being facetious...infact, if you mention the famous former wrestler guy who's face is plastered all over Tv and Billboards, they don't claim he's fat at all, but really strong...if I call him fat or out of shape, koreans jump down my throat like I suggest dokdo was Japanese territory. |
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