I believe they were just saying that they did their waiting, finally got the VIN and near-term EDD, built their plans/finances/car situation based on the fact that the car was to be imminently delivered to their local site ... and then suddenly got told there is a part issue with no ETA on when it will be resolved. Meanwhile, cars that were made/shipped after theirs are being delivered faster.
I think many people see the order fee/reservation process as more of a commitment than just a "$250 cover charge" since you are fully intending to fully purchase the car, and are urged to do pre-delivery tasks like insurance and finance applications, which de facto lock you into the vehicle. I personally haven't technically paid my $62K bill, but the second I received a VIN and near-term EDD, I bought insurance on my specific car, had them run multiple hard credit checks to find the best finance rate, etc. I was locked.
It is possible that someone might have even started paying, as rates do expire (and from what I can gather, even financing done through Tesla could be subject to rate hike if the charge port issue extends past 1 month from application -- and would no longer even be valid at the 2 month mark). So if you're risk averse, paying for a car you don't yet have in your driveway may ironically be the right move.
Granted, enough of the process is broad and "estimated" to prevent Tesla from being obligated to do any of what you said, plus the fact that so many people want Teslas means you don't have any leverage if you threaten a cancellation. That said, I think a reasonably empathetic person would look at the situation and try to be more proactive.