This is a great response to a bone-headed manufacturing ploy. Yes, it happens—a reviewer contacts a manufacturer for a review sample and the manufacturer responds, "Sure, as long as you guarantee good press."
At Stereophile, our response has always been, "Get over yourself—and call us back when there are no strings attached." (Actually, that's a mild translation of what we really say, but you get the idea.)
When Alienware pulled that trick on Hexus.net, Bob Crabtree took the backstage story online. Crabtree gives fantastic rant. Enjoy the ride.
