What is YMMV Radio and/or Retail Anarchy?
YMMV is a talk show about bargains, discounts, deals, and freebies. “Retail Anarchy” is a blog about consumerism and also the title of a book due to be published April 6, 2009 from Perseus/Running Press.
When is YMMV Radio on?
Whenever you like – we are now a recorded show!
How do I listen?
Download in MP3 or subscribe to podcast.
Who is on YMMV?
Sam – Writer / Host
Alex – “The Russian” / Host
Shopz2Much – Femme Fatale
H.T. Bear – Managing Cardholder / Announcer / Puppet
Steve DeMonke – Administrative Motivator / Contributing Writer / Puppet
Bargain Hunter / Deal Finder, Sam Pocker, founded YMMV Radio in late 2004. By the summer of 2005, Sam and his gang had saved their listeners tons of dollars. Really, food is heavy.
Sam Pocker is an author, filmmaker, and tours the country as a “Stand-Up Economist”.
YMMV’s cast of “characters” are instrumental in its success and reflect needed perspectives on deal-finding.
“Shopz2Much,” Sam’s fiancé, feels many but not all deals aren’t worth her (or your) limited time, as a person who manages a career, two homes, and an over-zealous fiancée. She plays the proverbial “devil’s advocate” and foil to Sam’s committed deal crusader. Her enjoyment of the finer things in life brings YMMV challenges like how to save money on designer goods such as Ralph Lauren sheets that have been discontinued. To this end, Sam and Alex have led her as far as a little-old-lady’s garage in suburban Nevada where she purchased several sets of brand new, high thread count sheets at 95% off their regular retail price of $130. Sometimes a girl just needs the finer things in life!
Alex is from St. Petersburg, Russia and has lived in America for 10 years. His place on the show comes from his mutual love of a bargain, and his frustration with the typical “I want it all” American consumerism. While he does not understand all of the nuances and slang of the other hosts, he brings his own perspective on deals. He spends countless hours shopping for an item before actually, if ever, buying it. Every year he spends a considerable (ok, too much) time shopping for a new cell phone when his contract runs out, and he is always able to get the telecom operators to give him the money to pay for at least half of his annual service.
Hero is a bear. He is also YMMV’s manager, simply because he is the only one who owns a tie. Hero makes short films which may be seen on ymmvradio.com. He has his own internet fan list, and regularly posts on many dealsites.
Steve DeMonke. Frankly, Steve is a monkey. Steve’s optimistic outlook on just about everything (along with his passion for “Diamonique” on QVC and bananas) has brought the program to another level.
Where is YMMV broadcast from?
Queens, NY.
14 responses so far ↓
1 Larry // Apr 9, 2009 at 6:00 am
Heard you interviewed on NPR this morning. Feel like I am drowning in trash during the minimal time I watch TV.
2 Mercedes Helmsley // Apr 9, 2009 at 7:05 am
I heard a snip of your npr interview this morning – the part about fruit strips.
I couldn’t supress a chuckle – my granddaughters have some sort of fruit strip (albeit organic, “natural”) in their home-packed school lunches because they won’t eat the actual fruit.
3 Steve Cardwell // Apr 9, 2009 at 7:22 am
Hi Sam;
I was wondering why they have two dozen sku’s of flavored creamer but only 4 types appear to have any volume of sales. Who ordered all the ones the public is NOT clamoring for?
BTW, I am broadcast videographer in Chicago, if you ever have shoots here. I would be happy to help.
4 Greg // Apr 9, 2009 at 9:22 am
So, a website about consumerism. The only thing is… the site itself. Whenever you “hover” your cursor over one of the navigation buttons, a pulldown from someone called “Snap Shots” appears, trying to sell me timeshares, advertising DollarTree or testosterone supplements. Is this supposed to ironic? or are you clueless? (I’m not trying to be disrepectful; I really am confused…)
5 Jan Harazda, R.N. // Apr 9, 2009 at 9:41 am
I so totally related to your views as stated in today’s NPR show that it made me very happy to hear you. I am a provider of a great service (a manual therapy plus comprehensive self-care instruction for a wide variety of chronic pain conditions —–and I am a witness (in health care for 32 years) to endless wasted, ineffectual, invasive and chemical attempts at helping such conditions. Thank you for getting me fired up AGAIN.
6 admin // Apr 9, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Hi Greg,
Thanks so much for letting me know about the advertisements on “Snap Shots”, I was honestly not aware of them. I have disabled the plugin as a result.
- Sam
7 chris // Apr 10, 2009 at 11:37 am
Hysterical – complain about consumerism on NPR while pushing a crappy book and blog. The beauty of our consumer society is that the consumers actually have the power…not to purchase, turn the station, turn the dial, etc. If a product isn’t purchased, it won’t be sold for long. And if that favorite TV show of yours didn’t show commercials, there wouldn’t be any money to make the TV show. You’re complaining all the way to the bank.
8 admin // Apr 10, 2009 at 11:58 am
Chris,
Which part of the book did you find “crappy”?
Thanks!
9 chris // Apr 10, 2009 at 12:43 pm
I apologize. A word I should not haves used – especially since I have not read it. Might be a great read. But frankly, that was not the point. The point was railing against consumerism and then pushing your product. You seemed to be doing exactly what you were on your soapbox about. Advertising. Without it, no one would know about your book. We too often forget about the great companies out there who spend their money and resources to bring products and services that help, enrich, simplify our lives. Like I said, if it is a product no one wants, you won’t see it around for long. As for your book, I might read it. But I’ll get it for free from my local library.
10 admin // Apr 10, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Chris,
I’m a supporter of my local library as well, and I encourage you to borrow the book from yours. The book existed before the blog and the fact of the matter is if you want people to pay attention to what you have to say in this country, you have to have something to sell. Call any media outlet and tell them you want to go on television and tell people not to attach their emotions to consumption, the next question they ask is “Do you have a book?” and if you say “no” then the next thing you will hear is a dial tone. If you say “yes” then they tell you it’s a brilliant idea and you need to be at the studio tomorrow. My message is the same, its how I use the system to communicate it.
11 Doug // Apr 19, 2009 at 9:40 pm
Sam, Heard you on NPR and bought the book. Loving the book, Was reading the 2 chili dogs for a buck to my 16 yr old son and was laughing so hard I was crying. He has started reading it himself and was sharing it with a friend of his. Thanks.
12 marianne // Jun 8, 2009 at 7:26 am
Just listened to your NPR interview and I couldn’t agree with you more. I feel like our children are being marketed too all the time and as adults we are challenged to counter all of their expert studies of how to reach children and their parents.
As a side note, I own a retail store and try to be very conscious of how we are marketed to as wholesale buyers (“this is our top seller you must have in your store this year”). I am also trying to be aware of marketing to our customers with respect and gratitude.
13 Terrence Shulman // Jun 14, 2009 at 8:39 am
I just read your book and enjoyed it. I am the Founder/Director of The Shulman Center for Compulsive Theft & Spending. I am an attorney, therapist, author and consultant who works with issues related to overshopping/overspending, shoplifting and employee theft. I have authored 3 books on these topics. Please see my website at http://www.theshulmancenter.com. Keep up the good work. Terrence Shulman
14 Msgosh // Aug 25, 2009 at 10:00 pm
I just read your book and enjoyed it very much. These are some nice books to read and to learn more.
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