I have ended up with a few planes I didn't even want..Just because I tried to stop the owner from field stripping/trashing them. Most people would like to see the plane fly again ..even if its not theirs anymore. I think you just happened onto a misunderstanding ...I don't blame you for feeling a little put off by it.. I could tell you a story about something similar happening to me at work one time...

It would send you off the planet !

A couple times I may have come across to some people as trying to get a carcass for free, but I HATE seeing a rebuildable bird destroyed when being field stripped.