We have received a request for orders that far exceeds the amount of Avalon chips that we have already ordered. The money raised from pre-orders will be used to order more Avalon chips, to ensure a constant supply of our products.
That's excellent news, but many of us are still waiting for proof you have, indeed, pre-ordered Avalon chips.
Why not wait until you have at least a working model before taking pre-orders? The most you will lose if you guys can complete a demo by next Friday is a what, a week?
The best way to gain trust on an accelerated schedule would be to assemble and have someone independently verify your demo board with an on-site visit -- then announce a preorder something like a week after their review.
The absolute best way to gain trust from the entire community would be not to take money for products you don't have, as you originally planned. Assemble a ton of modules and DXes, enough to verify you've thrown a lot of money at this and won't disappear overnight. Have one or two people come in and confirm for us, then go buy trashbags to hold the incredible amounts of money people will throw at your 100%-guaranteed-legit product.
