Do you tune in to Howard and Rinker?
Clark Howard comes off as a tight-fisted nerd on his nationally syndicated consumer advice radio show. It airs on WCLO weekdays in Janesville. Likewise, Harry Rinker’s Sunday morning "Watcha Got" show airs on WCLO. Listeners call in and describe their antiques and collectibles, and Rinker offers estimated values.
I listen to both at times. I hear Howard in trips home and back to the office during my lunch breaks. I often tune in Rinker while getting ready for church on Sundays.
Despite his penny-pinching ways, you have to hand it to Howard; he knows his stuff. As reporter Jim Leute explains in stories in today’s Gazette, Howard opened an Atlanta travel agency, grew it into a chain and sold it and "retired" at age 31. Then he went on the air as a guest for a radio show about travel, and that segment was so successful he got his own show. Now, he says, he saves 75 percent of what he earns.
On Rinker’s show, I’m struck by how often folks from Janesville call in. A woman from Janesville, for example, called this weekend, and Harry gave her an estimated value of a cookie jar featuring Little Red Riding Hood.
Howard and Rinker will both appear at the WCLO-WJVL Consumers and Collectibles Fair on Friday at the Pontiac Convention Center on Pontiac Drive in Janesville. The fair runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Howard will sign books and pose for photos with the public from 9 to 11 a.m. He will host a live, ticketed audience for a local edition of his radio show from noon to 2 p.m. Free tickets are available at Blackhawk Community Credit Union and Parker Community Credit Union.
Rinker will offer appraisals from 9 to 11:30 a.m. and 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. While advance tickets are gone, you might take a chance of stopping in with a trinket to see if he still has more appraisal time.
VIP tickets to the Howard broadcast and special morning and afternoon Rinker sessions are $30 and are available at WCLO.com. Proceeds benefit Rock County Habitat for Humanity.
I wish I had time to stop out and see these two radio personalities Friday. We have a couple of collectibles that I’d love to have Rinker appraise, including a decades-old Janesville wagon with steel wheels. Unfortunately, between work and a family commitment, my schedule won’t allow it.
Do you listen to either or both of these shows? Do you plan to stop out to see Howard and/or Rinker on Friday?
Greg Peck can be reached at (608) 755-8278 or gpeck@gazettextra.com. Or follow him on Twitter or Facebook
May 8, 2012 at 3:23 p.m.
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Everything has only one price. The price is whatever someone is willing and able to pay for it and is writing the check. Value is another thing. Rinker places a value on things, it's up to you to get the price.
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This bit of salesman humor expains the difference: Customer "my friend said it's worth $5,000."
Salesman "Have your friend pay you the $5,000 and bring in the money."
May 8, 2012 at 10:25 a.m.
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VerbalKint: Note what I wrote; if tickets remain, you can see Howard without paying. "He will host a live, ticketed audience for a local edition of his radio show from noon to 2 p.m. (Friday). Free tickets are available at Blackhawk Community Credit Union and Parker Community Credit Union."
Greg Peck
May 8, 2012 at 9:24 a.m.
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Funny the wise and CHEAP CLark said today he would pay and extra $3000 for a car that would drive itself. For a penny wise person what an idiotic comment. If you cannot parellel park you need to go back to driving school!! That would only be a few hundred $$.
May 8, 2012 at 7:55 a.m.
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I enjoy listening to Harry Rinker on Sunday mornings. I like Clark Howard too.
May 8, 2012 at 7:52 a.m.
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Clark is okay. Getting a little old. One hears the same old advice most of the time. With that said you can still learn something from him.
I will not pay to see him. I think it would go against his own advice. Why pay for something you get free on the radio or buy his book when you could get it at the libray. The best program on WCLO is Michael Smerconish.
May 7, 2012 at 8:35 p.m.
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I probably would have attended, had I known about it sooner!
May 7, 2012 at 2:11 p.m.
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True- cotton joe- it is only worth what somebody will pay for it.
May 7, 2012 at 1:57 p.m.
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Clark Howard is excellent. I've learned so many helpful hints from him over the years. His website www.clarkhoward.com is full of useful information. He has really carved himself a niche, and I think his demeanor and record give him a lot of credibility. Standing in stark contrast to Howard, however, is Harry Rinker. Why someone wastes their time listening to his show is beyond me. Allow me to save you the time....nothing is worth more than $50. What's more nauseating are his rules and favoritism towards people from Pennsylvania. His show is designed to benefit him only. He adds nothing to the process - you can research your collectibles online, and determine a value - that's all he does. Rinker is the antithesis of Clark Howard.
May 7, 2012 at 1:25 p.m.
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"hand it to Howard; he knows his stuff"
not always!! I am in the auto business and would like to call in a few times and correct him!
Harry is neat to listen to.
Wish this show was on a Sunday for those of us who WORK!
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