I run a community built around the art fair business with around 7500 members. Artists network around information about the business, share their stories, show reviews, etc.
Recently an artist posted about a buyer at an art fair who bounced a large check, including the buyer's name. Shortly other artists chimed in about also getting burned by this same buyer. Words flew fast on the site about contacting police, filing charges, what they could do about it, etc.
Last weekend in Duluth, MN, another artist really got unhappy and decided to find the person who was, in fact, stealing art. She contacted the Minneapolis police and got her vengeance as she accompanied the police to the thief's home, recovered her goods and that of others.
Power to communities!
Here's the story: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/minnesota-art-shows-beware
Replies
I was pretty astonished that this happened. The artists reporting the thief, one after another, yes, she got me in Minneapolis, she got me in Excelsior, she got me in Duluth, etc. The sleuthing online and reporting back to each other what they found and then the drama of "I'm going with the police to get the goods!"
Because of this site they were able to come together and nab her!
Very cool testament to what a Social Community can offer! Always happy to hear the good Guys won. ;-)