Quoted from Tuna_Delight:Yes - in retrospect, but history is always easier to predict by looking in a rearview mirror.
In addition to the points already made by rarehero regarding the vastly different pre-order environment that existed within the hobby three years ago, I'd also recommend revisiting Coast2Coast podcast episodes # 126 and 127 for a reminder regarding what some reputable folks were thinking regarding TBL at the time of "Philgate" in early 2015.
I don't think things were "vastly" different back then. BBB was at the precipice of failing multiple times and took huge effort from a lot of people to get done, not to mention Gene losing money on every game. Kingpin was proposed then abandoned. WOZ almost failed, requiring additional influx of cash to keep JJP afloat. The wheels were already starting to come off Predator (remember the expo where it sat broken all weekend?)
I bought into to TBL at 4500, against my better judgment, but had decided the game was worth the risk. After Phil, the risk was far too great as DP had shown deception at that point ("everything's great!" well not really). I got booted out and did not return. Anyone who stayed in at that point was taking a huge risk, whether they realized it or not. Again: totally unproven company, no experience manufacturing, foreign country/court system, licensing issues, etc. Just because they went unheeded does not mean the warnings weren't there.