The rules at RCU are in place to serve the members first and foremost. They have been honed over the last 16 months to where they are today. The success of RCU is a testament to the fact that the rules we apply here are in fact working to the members benefit ultimately otherwise people would go elsewhere. They don't because at RCU the information exists. Manufacturers CAN answer any direct questions which are asked of their products. They CANNOT promote their products in the user discussion forums though. This is in my opinion simple and clear.

You ask how can they get their message out. Well first we have a product and announcement forum strictly setup for such announcements. It is free. Second if they want to promote their business even further there are affordable advertising programs on RC Universe. What if they wanted to post an announcement in a magazine like RCM or MAN? Would those guys charge them for it? Of course they would. Or they could get on a waiting list which could take 3 months to a year (or never) and send them their announcement and hope it shows up in the text someplace. Good luck, right?

The rules are applied to everyone the same. If somebody is getting preferential treatment simply notify me and I will respond to it. Double standards don't apply here. I've already lost advertisers and such over these principles and annoyed others. In the end my interest lies in serving you guys, the end user.

If I allow a manufacturer to post his announcements or promotions in the forums then the next guy will and so on. Then you have a slipperly slope of companies outdoing each other to promote in the forums through blatant ads or "announcements". It doesn't work. If those "other" free for all forums which have no censorship were so great everyone WOULD go there. Truth is only carefully moderated forums thrive.

If everyone wants to go to a forum where vendors post and promote at will then that is fine however I absolutely guarantee they will end up back here. This formula which only a select few have asked for does not work. RCU's current growth rate of 100 members per day and 3000 per month and 35,000 users tells the tale that for most we are doing something right.