Bummer RobG,
I have witnessed some heavy handedness on the part of some of their forum administrators. It is my opinion that some of their comments, actions and views are not necessarily sponsored by or shared by the HighLifter folks. I was around that forum in the very early days and most of those administators were just early users. They applied for an were allowed the position of administrator.
Most of those guys are sponsored in some way by HighLifter. Some are provided "testing" products while others are afforded other "perks". Sometimes in their overactive loyalty to their benefactor, they get a little carried away.
I am still a active forum member over there but mostly just read what others have got to say. I really enjoy this forum and hope that it continues on it's current path. I will continue to do business with HighLifter until they do me like they reportedly did you. At that point, I will do business elsewhere.
I don't intend to build my Rincon like I did my Foreman so I won't be buying that much from HighLifter anyway. Enjoy and try to keep the rubber side down!