We Believe... that every consumer has a right to know where a product comes from. In today’s global economy, domestic manufacturers are forced to compete in an unfair marketplace where most gifts, housewares, jewelry and accessories are marked with removable paper stickers that indicate country of origin. Many retailers and wholesalers remove these labels in an effort to raise perceived value and confuse consumers about country of origin.
fraud (3)
The hottest topic ever on this site continues to generate discussion at this link: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/forum/topics/winter-park-festival-artists-to-discuss-fraud
Encouraged by the conversation there we added a poll to the site to take the temperature of attitudes on this idea. Here are the results:
As I look at the choices on the poll I think it was pretty much written to skew to the negative. Perhaps the topic should have been: Do you think buy/sell is a serious issue and do you think it should be addressed?
What do you think?
Alleged Fraud of Crafters at Summer Fest Craft Show Bay Valley Resort
April 10, 2010
April 10, 2010
Bay City, Michigan - I received an e-mail yesterday from a new crafter. Here is a copy of that e-mail.
George,
I am sending you this e-mail to inform you that the Summer Fest series of crafts shows in Bay City, Saginaw, and West Branch put on by Robert Edwards are a Scam. I arrived this weekend at the Bay Valley Resort to find out that Robert Edwards is no where to be found. Two ladies from Poor Man's promotions who where used as references were here to explain the situation to the crafters as they arrived, they were in no way involved with this, they were victims like the rest of us. The Bay Valley Resort was kind enough to comp our rooms for us.
This series of crafts shows is listed on your website under the updated section and should be removed. The State Police are involved in trying to help us retrieve our booth costs.
Best Regards
Jim Taylor
L.T. Crafts & Home Decor
231-286-9788
What George found out and his reply to Jim:
"Allegedly, Robert Edwards, representing himself as Summer Fest Craft Shows was taking applications and money for a craft show at the Bay Valley Resort near Bay City, Michigan. It was promoted as being held on April 10-11.
When the crafters arrived to set up yesterday, he was nowhere to be found.
He had told crafters that he was affiliated with Poor Man's Promotions. That was totally false. Marlene Tibbits and Karen Gaul had planned on doing the show yesterday, but were not associated with him in any other way. I've known Marlene and Karen for sixteen years. They are as reputable as they come.
When Karen and Marlene found out from the hotel that Robert Edwards was a no show, they met the crafters at the door to tell them the bad news.
As it stands right now, if you sent Robert Edwards a check to do this show, make a copy of the check and contact The Michigan State Police Fraud Division.
The contact name is Liz Hunt. Her phone number is (989) 684-2234. The fraud divsion takes calls between 9am and 11am.
Also, if you know Robert Edwards and happen to know his whereabouts, The Michigan State Police want to talk to him. You can contact them at the same number above to give her any leads on where he could be.
If you have any questions about what happened yesterday, you can call Marlene Tibbits at (989) 874-4774, Karen Gaul at (810) 639-5388 or Jim Taylor at (231) 286-9788. They will try to answer any questions you may have.
This isn't the best news to give you, but it is my responsibility to spread the word as soon as possible so you are aware of it."
George Walker
George Walker Publishing
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Thanks to Deb LaPratt for sending me this information.
