I bought a new wheelset from an LBS in 2021 - they told me it would be 8-12 weeks and it ended up taking more like 7-8 months to deliver. They asked to be paid in full up front, which I obliged, but I later regretted doing this. I had little/no recourse if my wheels never shipped, or if they suddenly went out of business, etc. I don't know what would've happened if I had called them and asked to cancel the order - my guess is they would've balked at having to issue a refund, but probably would've done it anyway. I (probably) wouldn't do this again, and chalk the experience up to a crazy 2021 supply-chain situation that was unique.

I agree that this practice seems a little odd - most other industries would require a deposit and then the remainder of payment when goods are received.

All that said, I knew what I was getting into and still willingly proceeded.