The Mom Network works on this principal all the time. Mom A says she’s been on the lookout for X item. By telling a few friends, she essentially deputizes them to look for said item as well. If the other moms don’t have an immediate source, they will help Mom A find a source, or will call when they locate the item. Works like a charm all the time. I don;t think guys do this as much, but I may be wrong.

I’m starting to use jibberjobber for this kind of thing (www.jibberjobber.com). Because it can display your network on a map, it makes it easy to see who is close to where and then you can call on people more easily.