What's the issue here? CPR was using one system to predict customer behavior, and it wasn't producing enough predictability for their needs. So now they're trying what is essentially a "one strike honor system." They trust you to buy if you commit to do so by staying on the list past their cut-off date (doesn't matter if you agree that their cut-off date is the last possible cut-off date, the point is you're making a commitment if you stay on the list past the date they chose to make their business manageable for them). If they blow their deadline, you're released from your commitment. If you break your commitment, you're required to make a (probably too small, IMO) down-payment for any future playfields.

Seems like a fair and reasonable way of "predicting customer trends" to me, especially in a boutique market like reproduction playfields.