with things as they are (perceived to be now anyway) I agree with the OP here.
back when, doing stained glass, half up front half upon completion within 60-90 days.
I could understand 180 or 270 days max the same way for pinball machines, with production batch minimum of 50 needing filled to show real interest for production to begin.. but it should be fully developed FIRST! a complete working playable prototype model, not vague descriptives.
with custom glass we had consultations with fully developed cartoons of proposed builds same way.
there should be insurance involved too, like 15% refund option for every 30 days late no product.
s#it or get off the pot! if missing deadlines is going to cost them money by contract they will DO.
where someone waits 6 or 9 months, about 7 months beyond that time they get a machine half price or been fully refunded their half up front payment. how long would it be before an insurer refuses coverage to the non-productive? in many other fields, workers must be bonded and insured, so why not apply similar to others who like to make big promises?
IMHO something like this wouldnt be unreasonable when asking people for money to DO with. if there is demand for beyond the first 50, production and delivery time SHOULD be shorter than the initial batch. if new batch slots arent filled in a reasonable time, maybe the demand for the idea has been met? the idea of people shelling out thousands and waiting 2-3+ years, to me, is ridiculous.