WSOC's Griffin Ending Consumer Watchdog Role

By Mark Washburn
TV/Radio Writer
Posted: Monday, Sep. 23, 2013

    TODD SUMLIN tsumlin@charlotteobserver.com
    Channel 9 consumer reporter Don Griffin will retire Friday from WSOC after more than 30 years with the station.

    0WBTV (Channel 3) says it's "On Your Side." WCNC (Channel 36) says it's "looking out for you."

WSOC (Channel 9) is merely the station where Don Griffin works. It doesn't fit into a snappy slogan, but what that means is that for three decades Channel 9 has resolved about 10,000 consumer problems, helped jail a few scammers and kept up this watchdog refrain: Be careful who you trust.

Griffin, 65, retires Friday, just a few weeks shy of his 31st anniversary at WSOC. One of the most recognizable news personalities in Charlotte his Action 9 reports run in the 5:30 p.m. segment when Nielsen estimates 100,000 people are watching consumer reporter Griffin is known for his laid-back, ever-gentlemanly manner.

Griffin pulled into Charlotte in 1972 with $300 in his pocket that he'd saved from bagging groceries at the A&P. He attended Central Piedmont Community College for computers, then transferred to UNC Charlotte where he got a degree in pre-law and political science. He was the first in his family to graduate from college.

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