By choice completely voluntary which is a huge difference from a maker asking for thousands years before the pin is made. I get your point but IMO Skit-B crew should of been left out of your example for this reason.

Well I'm not sure about anyone else but I'd appreciate if all makers kept it to more of an emotional investment instead of a monetary one. I think any project requiring deposit or not has resulted in some having anxiety because lets face it many of us drama queens. I don't think a project requiring a $250 deposit to hold a spot is anything close to as bad as asking for thousands for years and years. I would be perfectly happy if all pre-orders were a refundable $250 I'd have no issues with that whatsoever.

Now that people have discovered they can charge pinheads thousands years before a pin comes out I don't think it will stop. Thus pre-orders being taken for Hobbit. I agree with your destain for the principles of it though. So far I absolutely refuse to put that type of investment into a pin which is so far from being delivered to my door.

I can definitely understand some being frustrated how long it has taken to get a pin they paid for in full years back. Especially since the ship dates where so far off from projections. Plus having a ton of LEs then to follow it up with another LE model before first LEs reached paid in full customers.

Not trying to hate but rather make the point that it's okay for people to voice that frustration without being jumped on by others. I want all makers to have success and have the hobby grow even more. Of course that doesn't mean we will all love every pin that comes out. It's okay if some don't like a new pin and it's awesome when many love them. There can be a respectful discourse even in disagreement that is what I'm hoping more will realize in these JJP/WOZ threads.