Erin, if I might make a suggestion that would help folks understand the process and where along it the group is sitting at a given moment. Check back more than once a week, no comments from you to several questions from potential customers since your post a week from this last Friday.
Having participated in several group buys on other hobby related forums, the method this one seems to be going along is slightly helter skelter. Instead of asking the folks first into the mix to have their funds tied up for weeks at a time is to gather a master list of participants in the initial post that is clear to all viewing the initial outline. Have a specific number of required participants or the number of items required to move forward with the purchase that way everyone knows exactly what is going on and where the group stands at any given moment. The moment the number is hit send a PM for payment to all participants for and update the initial post showing who is paid and who is not. This would make a tad more work for you but would garner a bit more comfort to those wanting to participate and those already in.
'09 Husqvarna TE610
'12 Tiger Explorer Graphite