Do you realize that by re-selling the pre-order for something the vendors don't yet have, you are adding and passing along another layer of risk in that equation? So it is not really the same thing. My comment about selling the machine in hand was specifically for order re-selling, not the idea of a pre-order itself. So the actual end user will now assume the risk of hoping TH delivers on time like everybody else while paying more for the same hardware, and that I disagree with that is all that I have said. At least when someone re-sells a machine in hand, the buyer knows exactly when to expect delivery. They will still pay more for it but the one re-selling it should assume the risk of waiting on TH to get it out the door IMHO. Some of these guys might actually do better by waiting to re-sell a machine in hand....
Are you related to the Mayor of NYC? He also wanted to protect the citizens from risk and ban large sodas for the idiots that drink it like water. It would seem if someone wanted a device bad enough, they are willing to take the risk. But you are correct, the person bearing that risk, should make sure the seller will provide a refund if the units don't ship and they receive a refund themselves. It's hard to do that with a level of trust, I'd require full contact info of the seller.
And full disclosure, I may still sell my 9 module unit if timelines don't start to look better, and I should be in the 10k initial batch, but that won't be until I either find out: A). I'm not in the first batch, or B). The units will not arrive until after July 31st.