FWIW, I’ve seen this pattern before. For example:
HOW IS YOUR PRINTER SO CHEAP?
This was the most common question we were asked at the New York MakerFaire in 2013. Our response was, and still is, “Why are other 3D printers so expensive?” The rapid growth in the 3D printer market has dramatically reduced the overall cost of materials associated with building 3D printers, so why aren’t the more established vendors adapting to the new pricing? Is it profit over customer? We cannot answer that question.
Leads to:
OUR APOLOGY
I’m sure it’s obvious to everyone by now – as it stands right now, Ez3D is insolvent, and at the very least, our customers, backers, vendors, and beyond deserve a post-mortem.
…
Nobody won in this deal. We are sitting on tens of thousands of dollars in personally secured debts directly related to the business, tens of thousands of dollars of credit card debt (since none of us took salaries, all of us basically lived on credit cards), as well as a lease that we personally guaranteed that was worth well over $100,000. And if you’re reading this, chances are you’ve lost something, too. Some people seem to have assumed the worst and are under the impression that we’ve taken all this money and run. I can assure you this is not the case. Over $100,000 went to payroll, over $100,000 went to inventory, and at least $25,000 went to rents, utilities, and more.
Of course, this is just the story. It doesn’t change anything, and it doesn’t get you your money back. At least now you know, though, that we tried to bring this product to market – and just failed.
It’s a horrible feeling knowing that you’ve disappointed hundreds of people. And we’re sorry that we failed you, and right now, we don’t have any way to make it up to you. While we do still have some inventory, our bank has a lien on all our assets. As a result, any liquidation proceeds will first be directed to our bank before being distributed to any other creditors (primarily our customers).
Here’s another one, from nophead, who 100% knows what’s what in RepRap:
We’ve also seen similar in this very forum…
Food for thought. 
-Jeff