TLDR; during development of the printer, a number of things have changed (including a noticeable reduction in print volume). Refunds were offered August of last year, and the vast majority of refund requests are still pending (and currently half a month behind their own deadline for the latest update.
Not that I have any knowledge on whether the people behind Lily have better or worse communication and management skills, but just because they're happy to offer refunds doesn't mean they'll offer them promptly.
Kickstarter is different than a direct purchase. Kickstarter maintains they aren't a store so when things don't happen to plan you're kind of on your own. With a direct purchase you can do a chargeback easily and get your money back one way or the other.
