Tom Martino
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Tom Martino is a consumer advocate and U.S. talk radio host. His nationally syndicated show "The Troubleshooter Show" airs from KHOW, based in Denver, Colorado. His show format focuses on callers who give him specific complaints about businesses. Martino investigates the complaints by contacting the other party in disputes when possible; he then gives advice and solicits comments from callers. The show began over 30 years ago and was syndicated nationally around 2001. Martino claims that over the years, he has recovered millions of dollars in cash, merchandise, and services for consumers who contact him.
Martino operates the "Troubleshooter Referral List," a list of businesses endorsed by him. In order to be a member of the Referral List, a business must pay a fee ($3,000 per listing) and agree to a code of ethics, including an agreement to abide by Martino’s decision in the case of a dispute with a consumer. A business can pay to have Martino personally endorse their product or service on air for around $120 per 30 second spot during prime time radio listening. Critics point out that Tom Martino's status as a consumer advocate is directly compromised by the large amounts of money he recives for his endorsement. Maritno's website has a lengthy disclaimer stating that he is not liable for the quality of service received from the companies he endorses. [1]
Martino is known for his bold style. If he believes a businessperson is acting unethically, he does not hesitate to call that person a liar or a cheat on air. If he believes a business is failing to respond to his investigation, he sometimes broadcasts the business’s phone number and encourages listeners to contact the business.
Martino also reports for Fox Broadcasting Company affiliate KDVR in Denver. Before KDVR, he spent 18 years at CBS station KCNC, also in Denver. He started his television career at several stations in the Eastern United States. [2]
Martino's career began at the Catskill Daily Mail, a newspaper in his native New York, where he wrote a consumer-oriented column. In 1976, he began working in radio and television. [3] He continued to write columns for the Rocky Mountain News, but now writes columns only for his own website.
Martino operates Liberty Bell Telecom, a telecommunications company. He is also a real estate developer and a private pilot.
