Items for sale here and on ebay without remotes....

I don't agree. Many people lose or break their remotes. Assuming the pieces are stolen is presumptive.

That is interesting.  I worked in the Audio industry and my friends are mostly audiophiles.  I worked at a high end audio store (audio research,. etc.) and never ordered a replacement remote for a customer.  Would be good to hear from a manufacture on the frequency of orders for replacement remotes.  I do agree that a person can lose or break their remote.  And i did say "may be".  As with most things regarding used units, it is good to know the background.  The words "may be" is in no way  assuming the pieces are stolen, simply another part of "Buyer beware".   What makes you think that "many people lose or break their remotes"?  

I can easily see how someone would use a programmable remote and misplace the original remotes. Mine adjust lighting and such so in some applications they are a nice touch

OP,
"What makes you think that "many people lose or break their remotes"?"

I just think that it's more likely than the unit being stolen. I think you're worrying too much.

Seems to me, if the thief can't find the remote, it was probably already lost. 

Folks are stealing my remote around here all the time. Daily!

But seriously, thinking like a thief, if I am stealing, components hooked up, it's likely easy to find the remote pile, and I'm taking that too. OR, I think what happens a lot, the component is in a box or packaged ready, in which case, the remote is there with it. 

And come to think of it, I bet in actual reality, people maybe steal more remotes than equipment. 

So...no...I don't think missing remote is any indication of a component being stolen.