From Goatboy:
It has always been accepted practice for posters to be able to mention non-Site Dealers /IPs, when done in passing, and in response to a specific question.
Obviously, this can be overdone, and if that occurs, the Mod should step in and take appropriate action. That's part of the Mod's job. By the same token, the Mod's function is not that of a censor, eliminating every reference to firearms-related mfrs/vendors who do not happen to participate in this Site.
If it can be demonstrated to a reasonable, unbiased person that some form of collusion is taking place in order to pimp some particular Mfr/Vendor, then that is actionable by the Mod, up to, but not necessarily including, the locking of accounts.
What does this mean?
Site Dealers and IPs pay good money to help support this Site, the cost of which is considerable. In return, it is not unreasonable for them to expect something in return; in this connection, the mention of non-site-supporting mfrs/vendors should be kept to a reasonable minimum. Not extinguished, but a reasonable minimum.
I had reason to post something in a related vein in Tac Gear forum a while back, when people pimping-out non-site-supporting mfrs/vendors was becoming a problem. I'll quote it here, and most of it applies to this forum as well:
On 04/23/2012, following repeated requests for a list of companies which have been banned due to their conduct. Currently, they are:
Ident Marking
Wolverine Technologies
ASM Night Vision Group
I^2 Technologies
MOD Armory