I actually almost edited right after I posted to add that the Librem 5 was perhaps another one, but I couldn't check that so I decided to keep it short.

I think the neo900 project should poll its backers now and ask "How many of the people who have pre-ordered would pay the remaining cost if the device was available to ship tomorrow?". I suspect the number would be very small. I pre-ordered, and I would not pay $100 more to have the device in my hand tomorrow. If, as I suspect, only a few of the persons who pre-ordered are willing to put up the rest of the cost for the device, then what sense does it make to continue the project?

well...
originally I spoke up in full support of the neo project whenever there were opposing arguments against it that could be countered.
Now ..years later..
with the advent of advancements in the field..
with alternative options hard and soft ware -wise...
with significantly lower end user cost...
and still no end in sight for the neo..
I just can't do it anymore..
I have no counter arguments left...
In fact ..now ...
I find increasingly there are arguments against a neo I just can't ignore anymore.

Whether the neo team or anyone else does a poll ..
I would imagine you are right Ken..
I think the numbers of polled preorder people who intend to follow through to the bitter end...will be small..very small..
In fact I suspect that many have moved on and won't even notice the poll...
Though I am curious ..
I do not think it anything but damaging for the neo project team morale to see those stats..

Some of my reasons may be or may not be shared by others..
I respect that ..
I may no longer agree.. but I respect their own decisions..

But me..
I just can't do this anymore.
Those who still are keen on the project , I do hope the best for..
For myself..
I have had enough, and await the refund process.

I don't believe in refunds.

When one funds development of a device there is always the possibility that it goes all tha way south, for some reason the product never materializes.

That is the nature of investments; you put up your share and it might gain you something. Or not.

And if the project fails that's it, don't expect anything back from it.
This is the part that people just don't get; it is an investment, not a purchase.
Just like investing in a startup company; you give 'em money and hope it grows into something. Most don't, and hopefully the 5% that make it will gain something back on your investment.

I have invested in development of devices, sometimes it works, sometimes not.
The money I have put into that is peanuts, I have lost some thousands of euros which is nothing compared to what I have lost in stock market.
If you are not willing to lose your investment, stay out of the game,

There is a difference between "funding", "donating"
and

"You can NOW PLACE DOWN PAYMENTS to partially fund Neo900 devices and NeoN boards in our shop!"

"Now you can place A DOWN PAYMENT for the device in our shop!
You can use a special top up item TO INCREASE YOUR PAYMENT or donate without preordering additional device.
There is also an option to use IBAN/SEPA bank transfer for donations.
Thank you for all support!"

are more official statements from their site needed?

Or is there some strange little translation I am getting wrong here with words?

Or are such words and statements false and misleading?

Don't anyone dare start juggling and bandying and picking apart the nature of words... with me.

Where is Dave999?

I'm not sure but I think he believes in refunds....

I don't believe in @dave999...

From this forum alone, I could point to three failed projects that have affected me personally. You may not believe in refunds; however I do not believe in continued investments in failure.

True, too. One needs to balance between the possibility of the gain if the device gets to production and the loss of money if it doesn't. Every case is different.