09.25.26 Clark Answers His Critics on Clark Stinks / Price Drop: Athletic Shoes

The Clark Howard Podcast

In this episode, Clark Howard addresses a series of listener critiques in his 'Clark Stink' segment, covering topics ranging from overseas A

Key takeaways

Avoid using Google search results for official services like passport renewals, as scammers frequently create fake websites that mimic government portals.
The running shoe market is currently oversupplied, leading to deep discounts on brands like Hoka at retailers such as Woot and Nordstrom Rack.
When evaluating travel deals, travelers must look beyond cheap airfare to include the total cost of hotels and rentals to ensure a true bargain.
Fintech companies often use partner banks for FDIC insurance, which can create complexity and potential risks regarding direct coverage visibility.
If facing aggressive hospital billing errors following a workplace injury, contact a patient advocate or hospital social worker immediately to protect credit.

Main topics

Clark Stinks listener critiques
Travel and ATM advice
Retail arbitrage and Amazon pricing

Notable quotes

Don't unlock that phone for the person taking the picture for you.

Conclusion

The episode serves as both a defensive rebuttal to criticism and a pra

Transcript preview

Speaker 3 (0:04) I'm so glad to welcome you here to the Clark Howard Show. You know, our mission is to serve you with advice and information that empowers you to make better financial decisions in your life. And today, as we do on Fridays, it's time for our Clark Stink segment, where I get to hear your feedback, where you feel I was incomplete, incorrect. or even just plain dumb. And later, there are great deals to be had on something that improves your health. Running and walking shoes. I'm going to fill you in on that. But right now, it's time for Clark Stinks. I should have never encouraged you to speak. You must think I'm pretty stupid. You should Speaker 1 (0:57) be ashamed of yourself. Well, maybe I'm wrong. Maybe I'm wrong. Speaker 2 (1:00) Maybe you're right, pal. Speaker 2 (1:10) Had to let it play out. Somebody said I talk over the Clark Stink Sounder, and I stink for doing that. So I'm all about correcting myself. We're going to start with Ed in Connecticut. Clark, you stink more than the cooler full of food from the picnic I forgot in the back of the trunk. You recently suggested someone who has never traveled abroad use their ATM when they arrive overseas to get local cash. You said she would get a better rate than changing money at home. Clark, how penny wise and pound foolish can you be? Imagine someone who has never traveled feeling brave enough to go to an ATM. What if they have a problem? Years ago, Italian ATMs did not work for pins that started with a zero. You should have recommended she go to AAA or their local bank and get $100 or $200 in foreign currency. The second they arrive, they can grab coffee, get a troller car, etc. After getting settled, they can try the local ATMs. Or they can always... hoard the cash, and spend it the last few days for meals. How much are you saving exchanging $200 cash at home as opposed to an ATM? Five bucks? 20. What if they put an ATM charges fees for withdrawals? Also, I think you suggested the call or try the UK for a first visit. Good suggestion. You should have also suggested Ireland, where they also speak English, yes, with a beautiful accent, and Ireland is much smaller and less overwhelming than London for a first-time traveler. Speaker 3 (2:36) Thank you. That is a great suggestion about Ireland, although I find that London is a better destination than Dublin for a first-time traveler. But yes, that is a good suggestion. On the ATM thing, that being intimidating, I've never really thought about that. The difference, you figure you get foreign currency in the United States, you're going to pay about 10 % of the money you get in junk fees. So the $200 would waste about $20 versus doing it overseas. And I appreciate what you're saying about... simplifying things for a first-time traveler. Speaker 2 (3:16) Dan in Florida says, you stink worse than a high school football team's locker room in South Florida in the middle of August. That's Speaker 3 (3:23) pretty Speaker 2 (3:23) stinky. Gross, gross. Recently, I heard you criticize people who buy products at stores like Target and resell them on Amazon. Retail arbitrage. I really don't understand what bothers you. Isn't this capitalism? I've done it myself. You may buy something for $20 and sell it for $50, but that doesn't account for driving hundreds of miles, your time, gas, Amazon fees, shipping returns, and the risk of getting stuck with inventory. And how is that different from Walmart buying a plastic bin for a few dollars, getting it shipped here, and selling it for $25? Why is it okay for a huge corporation to buy low and sell high, but not the average person who is putting their own money, time, effort, and taking the risk? Just to understand why making a buck is okay for Walmart, but not for the little guy. I apologize. Speaker 3 (4:09) I don't remember this circumstance. Speaker 2 (4:12) It's probably like the third-party sellers on Amazon and places like that that are selling. Speaker 3 (4:15) Okay. So the thing that is tough for me is you go on Amazon and you see... Kirkland Signature, which is Costco's private label. And you see the items for sale on Amazon for way more than they cost at Costco for the same private label Kirkland Signature things. And then there will be an item like, let's say there's a particular vitamin you're looking for or whatever. Speaker 3 (4:45) It will be available on Amazon or Walmart.com at all different price points from them as an official seller and then from third-party sellers. And people end up overpaying for those items. So I was looking at it not from your perspective as somebody trying to make money on retail arbitrage. I was talking about it from somebody paying far, far more than what the... normal market price would be for an item. Speaker 2 (5:17) Ed in Oklahoma says, the odor today isn't too bad, but I think your travel philosophy is a little out of touch. I, for one, don't have a desire to go just anywhere simply because it's cheapest. That being said, you must be giddy over what I heard Groupon is doing, where the cost of a trip is very low, but they don't tell you where you're going until 72 hours before departure. I believe. Is this not right up your alley? It is. You talked about this. Speaker 3 (5:44) I am so excited. We haven't talked about it on the podcast or YouTube show. What Groupon is doing, I think, is just so fun. This is the third time I'm aware of there's been mystery fair programs. There was an airline based in Colorado Springs years ago. I think it was called Western Pacific. And they did a mystery fair. where you would only know if you were going to a warm weather destination, cold weather destination, or a beach after you bought the mystery fare. And you'd get to the airport, and that's when you found out where you were going. So the Groupon program is a similar kind of thing. You just have to have Wunderlust. And I already pitched it to my wife, Lane, and she was not as enthusiastic. Speaker 3 (6:36) about it as I was. I was like, Speaker 2 (6:38) yes, yes, this is great. Now, you should do this with your son because he's adventurous like that. Speaker 3 (6:45) Yeah, he and I will go anywhere there's a deal. But anyway, the Groupon, the thing that people have been saying is that the airfare ends up being on something like Frontier. And a lot of people have not had the greatest experiences with Frontier. I'm keeping it charitable there. So that's the thing is, yes, the Groupon is exactly my kind of thing. Speaker 2 (7:14) Wow, I can't believe it. I get to go to Speaker 3 (7:17) fill in the blank. Speaker 2 (7:19) Greg in California says, there's something foul afoot, and it's you, Mr. Clark. A listener indicated you