That's probably why it wouldn't have worked with you, you're nobody. But Schafer and Gilbert can ride their reputation, and I'm sure someone would track them down and kill them in their sleep if they absconded with the cash. Is a bit of a gamble though, agree there, I guess some are just gauging $40 or whatever to be worth the risk.
There are some legal issues with Kickstarter providing "investors" with returns, if I recall correctly, that's something that probably should change in the future ?