Big Carrot Wholistic Dispensary

I know Big Carrot is more expensive than other natural food stores. But I have to say that when I called them about how to take a specific product they knew their stuff! And when I bought products in the past they were always helpful, instructive and knowledgeable.
I don’t like to do this but I bought a product from another natural food store and they were kind of clueless when I called them with questions. I knew if I called Big Carrot they would be able to answer my questions and they did. I felt reassured and confident about how to take the product and their answers.
There isn’t another natural food store with the Big Carrot’s community or environment. If I made more money I probably would support them more. And they are a co-​operative where the employees also share in the profits. I don’t know any other natural food store or business in Toronto that does that.

I visited the store because my doctor had recommended a product to me and told me that «The Big Carrot» carried it.
The store appeared well-​organized, with a wide selection of products, and was bustling the day I visited (a weekday morning).
Unfortunately they were sold out of what I was looking for and every equivalent/​similar item.
Staff was friendly enough, though not as knowledgeable as I had hoped.
I had to go elsewhere to find what I was looking for and as a result discovered how much higher The Big Carrot’s pricing is compared to other local businesses. That coupled with inventory/​stock issues will probably dissuade me from shopping there in the future.

I have only been in the supplements game for 6 months… I come to stores like this looking for very specific things prescribed by my doctor. It can be very overwhelming to find them in a store full of jars.
I have been to several different stores where I never feel confident that they will have the product I need in stock or that I have received the right thing.
Both of those problems are addressed a the Big Carrot.
Also, they sell Thorne products. These are hard to find elsewhere.
Perhaps others are right about the prices — it’s not cheap. But if you value your time and peace of mind, this is the place to come.

I loved this place because of it’s unlimited selection of product and helpful staff (can’t say all of them were very knowledgeable but they were friendly and asked if you needed help). It is easy to get to and parking is easy to find (and cheap!). What I did not like is the fact that they are sooooooo overpriced. I purchased some items and ended up returning them after I went to another health food store and found the exact same items for half the price (some were even more then half the price!).
To say the least I was quite upset to see that shopping at the Big Carrot is quite the rip off. Just a warning to future shoppers you will definitely find whatever items you are looking for cheaper elsewhere then shopping here.

Big carrot is great for food but the Dispensary is sadly an overpriced joke. It is easy to pay $ 6.-10.00 more there for an item than anywhere else in town. Also you have to chase staff to get help and they are not very knowledgable about what they are selling. It is sometimes useful to walk in there to find something as a reference point only. OR you can walk over a few doors to Thuna OR Ottway’s and buy it for less and get knowledgable assistance.

Service is pretty good, helpful and friendly.
The downside is that I feel burned — I purchased an item from them yesterday, and felt that I paid in my $ 20something not $ 30something for it the last time. Turns out that I was right. :(
For a few bucks’ difference, I wouldn’t care, but my total reached almost $ 40 and otherwise would have reached just under $ 30. What gives?
The Big Carrot isn’t in my ‘hood, but I feel justified in wanting to go back to return the product. What is with these non-​standard price discrepancies?
I feel taken advantage of, at the moment. :P

An impressive variety of nutritional supplements.
One problem is that the prices qualify as gouging.
The staff also thinks they are experts and knowledgeable. They aren’t. They parrot the marketing information put out by the nutraceutical companies and speak in code and buzzwords. If you try engage them they will walk away, as they have nothing further to say.
If you ask for a particular product, staff will invariably go to the shelf with you and pick out the most expensive version of what you ask for.
I have come to resent walking through that door.