What's the Best Way to obtain Traffic Signs?

[Zeffy]

I'm genuinely curious. I've seen traffic signs in the most random of places, and yet I don't have one myself. So, can anyone tell me a good way to obtain one that meets this criteria:

-Follows the MUTCD
-Price Range: $10-$70 Maximum (I'm not made of money)
-Made of real materials
-Will last long and look great

So, I've been wanting to buy a custom Interstate sign. After some Googling, I got led to this website:
http://www.roadtrafficsigns.com/sign/custom-interstate-80-sign/sku-k-3278.aspx

First, they have a lot of 5* reviews, plus a custom Interstate shield from here is extremely cheap for a 24x24 made with actual MUTCD specifications. However, they show a person holding a NON-CUTOUT shield on the main page for Interstate shields. This is why I don't know if I should just purchase one from there, because I sure as hell can't make it a cutout if it's not.

And I know that many people don't actually buy signs brand new like I'm considering - they find them being handed out once they are due to be replaced or taken down. How does one go about doing this? Or, are there any other websites or places where I should consider instead?

[Brian556]

ebay.

[US71]

ebay (watch the pricing, though)
flea markets
"junk" stores (the more cluttered, & disorganized, the better the deal...usually)

[hbelkins]

Mike Tantillo should chime in here. He bought a "Maryland 817" (the route does not exist) sign for Mike and Laura's wedding present, since their wedding date was Aug. 17.

agentsteel also sells signs, does he not?

[agentsteel53]

eBay.

I could make you an 18x18 interstate but it would set you back $99 plus shipping.

I've got all kinds of old, used signs at all kinds of prices, if you are interested.  any specific states you are looking for?

[Alps]

eBay.

I could make you an 18x18 interstate but it would set you back $99 plus shipping.

I've got all kinds of old, used signs at all kinds of prices, if you are interested.  any specific states you are looking for?

You should create a page on AARoads that lists all of your signs and the associated prices.

[realjd]

eBay.

I could make you an 18x18 interstate but it would set you back $99 plus shipping.

I've got all kinds of old, used signs at all kinds of prices, if you are interested.  any specific states you are looking for?

I'll give a recommend for Jake's custom made signs. He did an unusual one for me a few months ago and it was well worth the money.

[nyratk1]

I had a NY 25 sign made a few years ago by Traffic Management Inc. They do all kinds of MUTCD compliant signs and if need be, You could probably send them a detailed image of what kind of specs you'd want. Prices are very, very reasonable and the customer service rep was friendly and attentive. When I had the NY 25 sign made, it was $32 total. I think the interstate signs would be near $40-50 total depending on what kind of reflective sheeting you get.

http://www.trafficmanagement.com/store/signs/chart-detail/702/

(Off tangent a bit, but I eventually ended up with two more NY 25 signs, both road used. One was a 1970s handpainted one done by Suffolk County DPW and the other was a state-done embossed 1930s-1950s cutout that I got last week. Both were obtained cheaply.)

[Scott5114]

Find out who your DOT contracts with, and see if you can order a one-off from them. You might also contact your state/county/city DOT sign shop and see if they'll run one for you.

[Kacie Jane]

After some Googling, I got led to this website:
http://www.roadtrafficsigns.com/sign/custom-interstate-80-sign/sku-k-3278.aspx

Yeah, pretty sure you shouldn't go with this site.  It's pretty clear to me you'd be getting a non-cutout, both from the pictures provided and from the description "Novelty Interstate Signs".  Also, I'm enjoying the grammar here:

A major interstate highway in the south of United States, the Interstate 20 (I-20) stretches from Kent, Texas to Florence, South Carolina.

[PHLBOS]

You might want to re-word your thread title to What's the Best Way to LEGALLY obtain Traffic Signs to prevent any postings of true confessions from the Bring some tools and go in the dead of night crowd.

[agentsteel53]

(Off tangent a bit, but I eventually ended up with two more NY 25 signs, both road used. One was a 1970s handpainted one done by Suffolk County DPW and the other was a state-done embossed 1930s-1950s cutout that I got last week. Both were obtained cheaply.)

you got that one that was a Buy It Now for $59 on eBay?  good pickup!  I was tempted to go after it.

[mapman1071]

Years  ago the City of Phoenix, AZ from Mid November to Early January used to have a Public City Store that would sell logo taged products (Coffee Mugs, Shirts ect.) they would also have old and worn out, or sun faded traffic signs as well as reproduction signs printed on cardboard.
All signs would have labels on the back stating for "private use only, Illegal to place on public or private right of way."

[Scott5114]

"private use only, Illegal to place on [...] private right of way."

When was Phoenix annexed by Alanland?

[mapman1071]

"private use only, Illegal to place on [...] private right of way."

When was Phoenix annexed by Alanland?

Private Right of Way would be Parking lots, Mobil Home Parks, Private streets/driveways: Townhome, Gated Community, Apartment Complex.

[Alps]

(Off tangent a bit, but I eventually ended up with two more NY 25 signs, both road used. One was a 1970s handpainted one done by Suffolk County DPW and the other was a state-done embossed 1930s-1950s cutout that I got last week. Both were obtained cheaply.)

you got that one that was a Buy It Now for $59 on eBay?  good pickup!  I was tempted to go after it.

I can't believe you didn't, for that price.

[nyratk1]

(Off tangent a bit, but I eventually ended up with two more NY 25 signs, both road used. One was a 1970s handpainted one done by Suffolk County DPW and the other was a state-done embossed 1930s-1950s cutout that I got last week. Both were obtained cheaply.)

you got that one that was a Buy It Now for $59 on eBay?  good pickup!  I was tempted to go after it.

Yeah. It was the first time I saw a NY cutout for that cheap and it was a local route to boot.

[Scott5114]

"private use only, Illegal to place on [...] private right of way."

When was Phoenix annexed by Alanland?

Private Right of Way would be Parking lots, Mobil Home Parks, Private streets/driveways: Townhome, Gated Community, Apartment Complex.

Yes, I'm aware. If you bought a sign and put it in your business parking lot, wouldn't that be 'private use' and thus conflict with 'illegal to place on private right of way'? Are they even able to enforce that, if you buy a stop sign from them and use it to control traffic in an apartment complex you own? How is that any different from buying one from Uline or something?

[Central Avenue]

My guess would be that "private use" refers to "private" not in the sense of private property, but "private" in the sense of "not in public".

That's no excuse for the poor phrasing, though.

[jeffandnicole]

You might want to re-word your thread title to What's the Best Way to LEGALLY obtain Traffic Signs...

Why? 

[Alex4897]

Every single one of mine was knocked off of a pole and I snagged it.  I have too many to hang in my room.