People steal signs all the time, often for pranks.

I've had one removed in town when we had a snow storm - we found out that the kiddos 'borrowed it' (but, never returned it!) to use as a sled!

Not yet and hope it never happens

No, I have never had that happen. 

I remember when my first sign disappeared Peter Testa during my 2nd month in the business. I was mad until an old pro said "If you don't have signs being stolen you are not doing your job"! That says it all doesn't it?

Haha, oh yes.Quite a few years back now, AZ added statute that no HOA could prohibit real estate signs provided they were no more than 18 x 24 w a 6-inch rider. Nincompoop developer in a subdivision that we had a few listings in apparently did not get the memo, because they kept taking away our signs. We didn't know it was the developer, the signs were just disappearing. I called Sheriff to keep an eye out because there were thieves about. Then stupid developer calls to tell me to quit putting up signs and admitted they were removing them. I told him 'good then we know who to send MCSD to, you're in violation, enjoy the lawsuit too'. No problem after that. Morons.

Probably kids Peter, I had one of mine knocked right out of the ground on wooden post and I would bet it was kids horsing around. I have also had the new owner pull it out of the ground again one on a wooden post. I generally have my signs removed right around possession so it wasn't like it had been sitting there for days after they took possession.

Yes, it's the annoying part of real estate. A cost of doing business in a untamed world.

Not yet. I've had open house signs taken, though.

Yes.

Stolen

Broken.

Vandalized.....it's all happened.

Yes.  We live/work in a university town... it's often a prank.

Yes, one time and I never saw it again. Now I pint the sign post with poison ivy sap

No, I did not. I hope, you'll solve the mystery of yours.

      I have lost a few signs over the years, including a Century 21 sign with a gold post.  Just like you, the whole thing was just... gone

Have never had it go missing, but had it knocked down by vandals. Had my Open House sign removed by a crazy person, becuase he didn't like it sitting in front of his house on the corner.  Wasn't even on his property... It was an arrosw sign.  He took it and stashed it behind his garagae.. He also took another agent's sign...luckly I saw him do it.. so went and got it back. Also went and found the other agent at his open hosue to let him know.

I have had mine and others seem to vanish but generally during this time of year they will sometimes make into the local bonfire. Many guests would not necessarily recognize them in the pile although I have with their obliterated company name and identifiers strategically indiscernable from scrap. The roasted marshmallows did not suffer in the blaze.  

Yes... and I had one that was used as a shooting target on an out of the way property I had for sale years ago.

I've lost quite a few (directionals are worse).

No. But my primary area doesn't allow signage other than temporary signs for open houses. 

That's my goal when I take a listing...but it's typically preceded by a closing.   I can't think of any mysterious removals.  

Thanks for sharing your experience.

Just had one of my large signs grafitied, luckily only with something that could be rubbed off. Actually liked the design of the artist, but not good for sales.

Unfortunately, yes. A few years ago, I got one back when another agent called me to let me know where to find it. Apparently, someone was playing a prank on a neighbor by taking/stealing signs from properties and placing them on the neighbors lawn. He ended up with about thirty of them from all different brokerages and agents. Oh well. 

Peter, I've had multiple signs take off during a listing. One was on a busy street in the center of town. Just vanished.

Yes, and I found the person who took it.

Mine are lettered so whe I saw a garage sale sign I looked and could see MY company outline in the paint.  The peson paid dearly to stay out of jail!

Lost all open house flags one day because I left them out on a grad nite

prior to using large posts and hanging signs, our steel framed signs would disappear.... they were easy for local college kids to grab....our large posts have not been stolen....

Yes, but my culprit was the seller. A very strange character. After 90 days with a sign, once under contract he removed it and thought nobody would know he sold!

Yes.

Years ago, yes.

Once, it happened to my broker.  Some agent we beat out for the listing no doubt!

No, I've never had a wooden post dug up and removed.

Sounds like someone (another agent?) stole the sign. I know how expensive those posts are!

No, sorry to hear this happened to you.  A

No, but unfortunately I am not surprised.

Several times.

Oh yes more than once!

A few years ago, the posts were disappearing.

The suspicioan was the post folks were stealing each ohters posts.

So, the posts now have the post companies name routered into the post.

No posts have been reported missing since then.

Now there are those locations where folks will steal anything. In such case the home owner are very reliant on real estate agent resources in selling without a sign or providing permission for a more permanent sign installation.

Peter Testa Yes I've had my commercial signs kicked in, shot at, distroyed and pulled up and thrown in a field.

I had 2 signs disappear, from the same property.  Replaced the first one then the second one went missing too.  The homeowner figured it out - state highway department took them down.  Apparently, they were in the easement for the rural highway; this one lane in either direction with a 35 MPH speed limit.  When I went to the highway department maintenance shop to get the signs, there were dozen of other signs there.  These were double stake signs, not wood posts.

I have had a regular sign go missing, but not one with the post...that's bizarre!

I had one listing that lost 2 signs. One of the neighbors told me she saw the next door neighbor load up my sign in her truck (and it probably went to the dump). Sign #3 I put in the picture window inside the house. 

I've been in the business 25 years, it's happened multiple times.

We had a big sign up out on the Homer Spit Beach  It suddenly disappeared. We did a little walkabout and found our 600 dollar sign was now a picnic table.... it happens! 

Yes. I had one completely disappear for the first time this summer.

No, that's a new one.

I've lost some signs but not a wooden post.

I have not.  My signs are removed the day before closing. 

I had my sign company tell me that other sign companies just drive by & not read the house #'s & swipe a post. Had it happen a few years ago & you wonder how long has it been gone & why hasn't anyone said anything?

Many years ago when I did my own signs one had a bullet hole thru it. Asked the seller if he knew who did it & he didn't seem concerned. Doesn't seem right does it? Someone shoots at your house & your not concerned? I still say he did it.

Not missing, but knocked down delibetately.

Halloween maybe? I only had one removed, which I found in nearby briar patch. Our zoning dept and highway dept will remove them.

In some areas we have to use  plastic sign because they steal and recycle them as fast as we put them up. 

Doug Dawes nailed this one!

I have, and a neighbor a few street over called me, as she found it in her yard.   Kids playing overnight!  

yes, I have had signs stolen, and years ago took nearly 30 signs from different companies and planted them all in one yard of a home that was not on the market. a photo of the prank ended up on the front page of the newspaper.

Not yet.

Has happen around halloween at least 2 times and ended up in teacher yard.