About the favouring those with deeper wallets: there's a great history of players making their own miniatures. I think provided they are reasonably near the dimensions of the 'original' piece - the homemade pieces are accepted and encouraged, allowing those without the financial means to use their own.
The official line has always been fuzzy. A lot of the more quota-led managers would bring out the "no-proxy" rules a lot. But then there is a very blurred line between a "converted" figure and a plain old handmade one. In this regard, HQ was much more lenient than other stores.
Anecdote: Many many stores proudly display 'proxy' models in the windows, presumably made by the staff. I know of very specific rules for tournaments but I can't see casual gamers enforcing them.
