(This post was last modified: 03-25-2016, 01:06 AM by Andyshaves.)
Full Disclaimer: I'm a big supporter of Rockwell Razors, as evidence in the show we recently did about them. However, this thread has a lot of spanish moss in it, and so to avoid that I'll speak directly to OP's question:
It's not uncommon to prepay for a product before production. It's relatively common with high-end razors that are produced individually, as well as for custom work such as restorations and services to that nature.
It's important to remember we're not talking about Merkur, Proctor & Gamble, Schick, Edwin Jagger, Muhle, or any other sizable business that has ample creditors and large amounts of liquidity. We're speaking about a young company that is building such business relationships as we speak.
It's also important as a consumer to remember the track-record of companies that we do business with. I think it's more than fair to say that the owners of the business have proved, without a doubt, that they are more than willing to go far above and beyond any necessary limit to make it right with their consumers. These are two college kids who put themselves, literally, in debt to fix manufacturing flaws with the original design. I think you'll be in more than safe hands with these two individuals.
Also, their website alludes to a new product coming, which means that they've secured the necessary resources to maintain a healthy business, which means investing $99 with them for a spot on a waiting list isn't a non-garunteed proposition. If they're intending to launch a new product as referenced by the kickstarter pop-up on their site, they're intending to stay in business, and your money can always be refunded if you decide on another product prior to your product shipping.
If we're talking about a large company, with tons of liquidity, then its questionable at best. But for what it's worth, I preordered an iPhone from Apple. When I preordered, I had a full-cost hold placed on my account. The money was basically in their hands, sitting in limbo, before the phones were officially released for shipment. In essence, I paid a multi-billion dollar company, with ample liquidity and creditability, for a product I wasn't 100% sure was even manufactured yet. And it turns out that I waited some time for it to arrive, which meant that my physical device wasn't produced at the time I "payed" for it. I'm counting the hold as payment because it essentially means I had less liquid assets while I waited on a product to be produced. The point is that it's common practice.
If the consumer has doubts that a product will be produced and delivered, they can always wait until the product is in circulation prior to buying one. Alternatively, you can pay to hold your spot in line. Based on the track record, and reviews of the product and customer service, I'd be more than comfortable giving them money to wait in line. But, that's personal preference. If this were an eBay or etsy seller with tons of negative reviews, I'd shop around some more.
Why should business owners miss out on that fun....??
