Walt, Dave Van can answer your last question better than I, but everything Dave, Tim Boyd, Mark B. and others have said indicate that while the Companies seldom (if ever) comment, they are aware of and sometime read directly comments, on these modeling forums. But all Model Companies are 'Market Driven' and "Model Forum Commenters", do not represent much of the market sadly. So, While they may be aware of us(collectively) we don't pack much influence.
So What to do? I'd recommend just saving up and buying an original kit. Glue-bombs can be had at less than nose-bleed prices, and you can save up all year and by a mint(ish) kit for X-mas. I have now done that for a couple of kits, and will be starting a Fund for my Monogram Landrover next year. $20.00 bucks a month, and I'll have the $80.00 to $100.00 for the kit by Thanks Giving. A worthy goal.