If something small and cheap had disappeared after a viewing when you weren't there but EA was, would you tell the Estate Agent?

[LadyBiscuit]

Yesterday I had three viewings of my flat when I was at work. Came home for a work call and when I got here, I noticed that the door wedge from the bedroom door wasn't holding the door open like it normally is. I assumed it had been kicked out of the way and was under the bed or something. But I have looked everywhere and it has completely disappeared. I know my DS didn't take it because I didn't go and collect him until after my call.

It's only one of those cheap ones from Robert Dyas - think they're £5 for two or something but it's annoying.

Should I call the estate agent and say something or will they just think I'm petty and mad?

They will think you're mad. WHo would steal a doorstop

I know! Why would anyone take it? But it has gone - it was under the door when I left and gone when I came back. I thought perhaps it was spoiling their tour and they'd moved it.

Weird

That bloke from Channel 4 who used to do property programmes and show people how to present their houses which weren't selling (forget his name) always liked to have doors closed and then open them for maximum effect. So maybe the agent took it and put it in his pocket?? That seems most likely scenario to me.

Or maybe he was obsessed with fire regulations ???

Think Bamboo might have hit the nail on the head.

And, no, I don't think I'd phone to specifically mention it for fear of appearing a loon !

I have looked in the pockets of my coats in case he put it in one of them but no. I'm not going to phone - they will think I'm two sandwiches short of a picnic

Can you not just phone them and say you like to keep the doors open and have wedge them for a reason, so when you returned to the house and noticed it had been closed, you went to wedge it open again and couldnt find it, so wondered where the EA had placed it.

That way you are not accusing them, more bemused as to where he must have placed it. Have you looked on the shelves etc in case he put it up there?

Why not phone and make a bit of a joke of the situation by muttering something about losing your marbles and , for the sake of your sanity, could the agent tell you if it was there when he arrived.

He might realise that he put it somewhere for the reasons mentioned earlier and then your mystery is solved

Maybe some viewers like to pocket stuff. I'd phone and mention it. There may have been more complaints...

Of all the small, easily stolen items in the average home, I don't think a doorstop would be the first thing the average thief would take!

You will look crazy if you call and accuse someone of taking it.

Nothing wrong with asking the EA if he happened to move it though.

There are probably people out there who get a buzz from looking round other peoples houses and stealing random objects.

The value or importance of the object probably doesn't matter to them its just the stealing they get a buzz from.

I saw the last couple as they were leaving (I stayed in my car and spied on them ). They did look very unlikely prospective purchasers I have to say and he gave her a definite smirk as they crossed the road. I thought he was smirking at the flat but perhaps he was smirking at his spoils?

I once stole an ornamental gourd from a party when I was very, very drunk. This is probably payback time

I think you should ring the EA and mention it. It might be a door stop from you, but who knows what's next!!!!!

Do you have a dog? If that happened in my house I know where it would be. In my dog's digestive system along with George Pig and Baby Born's foot

Nope, no dog and the cat was locked outside (as per moondog's advice for successful property selling )

I have looked everywhere for it. It's the one from my bedroom door and there's nothing near it that you could put it in/on/under that I haven't already looked in. I even checked the bin to make sure I hadn't chucked it accidentally in my flurry of last minute tidying before leaving the house. Really is most odd. I bought some more yesterday but they're not quite as good as the other one, less rubbery (have wood floors and fire doors so a lot of them just slide)

Exactly Norbert!

I have never stolen anything in my life, apart from once when I was viewing a flat with my then boyfriend.

We had been traipsing round deepest darkest sub-motorway flyover parts of London for the entire day, totally lost, I was miserable and about to faint from hunger.

We saw this flat. The occupants had vacated it possibly for some weeks and left some budgies basically to starve in a cage

I fed the budgies and took two boiled sweets from a bowl of them on the worktop, to keep me going. I would call that passive aggressive stealing because I was so disgusted with the people for leaving the birds. I think I got the agent to sort it out so they wouldn't be abandoned - can't remember now.

Poor birds.

Please don't ring the estate agents, you will look like a nutter. Put it down to poltergeists but, really, don't ring.

I am inclined to agree with you lalalalonglegs. Plus this happened on Tuesday so I look like I have either been stewing about it or that I've only just noticed.

If any more go missing I shall Have Words though. I now close the doors when I leave in the morning

It'll probably turn up .