I was tempted to move this thread to the figures, models and toys section, but upon reading the entire link and its source, I believe the focus of discussion lies on consumer behaviour. Since the above incident is occuring rather close to where I live, I ought to comment on the current situation.
By paying up and collecting one's pre-orders on time, it will ensure smooth cashflow for both the figurine store and its supplier, allowing for the industry to thrive. Sometimes, a small sum of deposit just isn't enough to cover for all current costs...