It is not illegal to call you names as long as the exchange doesnt rise to the level of a threat.But it is illegal to steal your material.You could have called the police and at least filed a report and demanded your material back.Sounds unusual but Ive seen it work.Keep in mind that all legitamate scrap yards are licensed through their respective states,you can file a complaint with the state as well as the weights and measures authority,they take those complaints seriously in my state.Personaly I would save up another load like the one you described..Weight each item at a certified scale..get stamped weigh tickets of each item with pictures and send a buddy/ and a witness back to the same yard and see if they do it again.If complaints to the state dont get you satisfaction ...there is nothing like making him show up in a small claims court where you could get your money/damages/lost wages and then we will see who in the "retard".