Self Education = Protection

I read a very interesting post on another blog today that I think I should comment on a bit. Here's a link to it.

Basically, this post went off on how you have to be aware of certain things when you're going to walk into a GNC. Thinks like how their sales associates know nothing, they're going to push their own brand, and they're overpriced when compared to online prices and other stores. I don't mean to sound rude, but when I read this I basically said "well, duh!"

Here's something I've learned: before making just about any purchase you have to be educated yourself on the product our you're going to get either ripped-off or given incorrect information. In my mind its sad that people will take time to get a CarFax report, check out consumer reports and other things for big purchases like cars, houses, furniture, etc. But when it comes to their own health and well-being they'll just talk to the local store clerk who really does know nothing. Go out, spend some time, and educate yourself.

Along those same lines, make sure you look at more than one website when looking online for information as well. Actually do some research. Then, when you go to the store you're not looking for advice from the clerk, you're just asking them "where is such-and-such". That's what they're really there for.

Here's a funny example of this. I had been doing some research on ZMA, and thought it was worth trying. So I went into GNC, looked around and couldn't find it, then the sales guy came up and asked me what I was looking for. I told him, and he didn't even know what I was talking about. Luckily, I found it right then and he was nice enough to ask me what it was for. So instead of being a jerk and saying "he works here, he should know this" I took a few minutes and told him all about it. Was that so hard? No! I found what I needed because I had been researching it, and maybe helped someone else out in the process.