Here are my thoughts, for what they are worth.
Lummi has certainly been operating a dangerous business model over the last few years. It would seem not enough of the profits have been reinvested in the company to re stock and therefore generate more income etc etc. As is obvious, this situation has got worse, and now they struggle to generate the money needed to fill previous orders. On top of that, some of the work is outsourced and open to delays beyond their control. Nightmare!
But not insoluable - the amounts coming in will eventually enable them to fill the backlog, but ONLY if every new light sold is an actual finished product - off the shelf - ready to ship - no mess no fuss etc. Otherwise the problem just gets worse.
To be completely disspassionate about it is the only way to proceed. This is a business. When the outgoings become less than the income for an extended period or the debts become too high, then the business goes into liquidation - that's how it's done in the UK. That means that everyone who has paid for lights simply becomes a Creditor of the liquidation guarantor. In my experience the Creditors never see their money, or at least only see a very small part of it. ( This has just happened to me with another company to the tune of thousands of pounds - my accountant told me not to hold my breath for payment anytime soon as the bigger the creditor the more likely any recompense - and my amount owing is very small in the scheme of company debt!).
So the only way for anybody to get these paid for lights is to hope that Lummi keeps going until the back orders are filled. There is no other way.
I completely understand the anger generated here, I would find it hard not to feel it myself in the circumstances. But, other than letting off steam, I feel that it will not solve this problem. The only person who can solve this is Lummi and Rob. That's it.
To abarth 1200 - if Rob says he has the light, and you like it, then buy it. If he's doing the right thing you will get your light ASAP, and maybe your purchase will help the others get theirs.
To mglamb - I don't think abarth was being unsympathetic to those still waiting ( The 'victims' if you will ) merely asking for opinions. I don't feel that anybody would be well served if Lummi sell no more lights.
Good luck to ALL concerned.