Bending the rules is something that we should never, ever do. But the problem is, our rules leave a lot of leeway for personal judgment and opinions - and i don’t think that we could even make an algorithmic ruleset that paints every post black or white.
The discussion with said company eventually took a turn to “if we can post, every mod will get one of our products”. Which was a very obvious bribe, and that’s something we should never accept.
Of course, that also gets quite muddy with me doing reviews at the same time, for which i do need the physical product (if there is one) to examine. I couldn’t do those if i had to outright buy everything i test, so the manufacturers will gladly step in and offer freebies. Some of which i (admittedly) keep because i can make good use of them, but i’m planning on giving away more of the things i get to the community. Either as a straight-up giveaway or, like @Jason_Ray suggested, as a decentralized Pilgrim-esqe deal where everyone who receives something can decide who he/she wants to pass it on to, or if he/she wants to keep it.
Either way, when i do get free stuff, i try to be as objective about it as i possibly can. A big thank you to everyone who values me as an unbiased opinion-haver!
Back on topic: Whether or not a post stays up also depends a lot on the way things are posted - even when it’s technically good content. Point in case: There was this one dude who was doing some good work with new 3D printer designs, but he was often being a total dick to other respected community members. He’s now banned.
Transfer that to posts made by companies or other for-profit entities, and i think you get the picture.