[bitexploder]

Reservations were novel early on, but now I just don’t think they make any sense.

[duped]

Reservations and preorders are just interest free loans

[BHSPitMonkey]

The "interest" is the value added by being in a queue so that you can get $THING sooner than if you didn't reserve a spot.

Whether the value of the $THING (and having it earlier) actually justifies the opportunity cost of the deposit simply depends on the cost/thing/schedule and the buyer's wishes.

[giantg2]

And provide a more accurate minimum production estimate since people are actually putting down money to commit.