Discussion is nice & whats your issue is the real one..running out of VP, running out of delegation, thats just a part of game.
You should ask your customers to wait if they can or ask for refunds in case of time out & vote hasn't been cast till asking for refunds..
I dont get enough time myself, so I am much of a hodler. Transfered some eth to exchange to steem but that exchange is facing some issues with steem. I dont have time to look into the concept of purchasing delegation yet.
If you like my input, vote it & I shall give you 50% of what I get.. thats one way to earn something..