Was this guy a little anal?

H22A4 said
As others have said, his yard means his rules. If you don’t see any rules, ask to be sure. He is providing a service so you need to respect that.

If you want a yard where there are no rules then set one up. Or you can set up a yard and try to have a rule list near the door but you’ll quickly find yourself adding rules everyday to that list to cover the crazy things the general public thinks is ‘acceptable’ to do like “DO NOT pry open hood with screwdriver”. The next day you’ll need to add “DO NOT pry open door with screwdriver” followed by “DO NOT pry open sunroof with screwdriver” followed by “DO NOT pry open trunk with screwdriver” followed by “DO NOT pry off any parts with screwdriver” along with “DO NOT steal any parts”....... but that’s not gonna means peeps are not going to steal anything.

Agree.
There are always rules, regardless what is in writing. This guy didn't flip out. Just said don't do it. Right there the rule is established. You didn't know it, now you do.
I've been told things by yard owners for where boundaries are. You just oblige them or leave. Not up for discussion. Owner at local yard once said I could get a few things off a Dart that had just come in. It was sitting out on the lane still being processed, fluids drained, etc. Trunk was open and I lifted lid and looked in. It was full of what must have been personal stuff of the previous owner, so I didn't mess with it. When I got back to the office I was questioned if I opened it. The scene and his tone was something like the guy in a movie getting questioned by a mob boss and expecting to lose fingers. :eek: Told him I looked, but his guys had it open already. He looked me over and said "OK". Paid for my parts and left. Never had any problems after that. If anything he was easier to deal with. Even let me in 'off limits' trailers and buildings to pick from stashed parts...