@crown - that's just not right. can you take a trip down to where Neil is and see him in person and ask for the money back (plus travel expenses). I hate this thing - I've bought from Neil many years ago, he didn't have such issues then. if you take someone's money for 5 years and not deliver, that's theft or negligent behaviour, both of which are not acceptable. I can understand a couple of months delay after taking the money.
what happens if you die before receiving it? what happens if situation changes? I've been caught in situations like this and I hate the fact that some makers do not understand that whilst they have personal issues, so do I. nobody likes to work on stuff they don't like but once you've signed the contract, you just have to do it. we work on stuff we don't like so we can spend more time on stuff we like.