I pre-ordered a white 16GB iPhone 4S on Sunday 10/9 and my credit card immediately showed a pre-authorization charge of $199. I got the confirmation email and everything from Premier and the status shows as Pre-order on the premier site. The email I received from Premier stated that I would receive my phone in 21-28 days..BS.
On AT&T's order status page I can search for my order by entering my Mom's phone number (I used her line to upgrade) and it lists the phone as back ordered. I then went to UPS and tracked by reference and I entered all kinds of different phone numbers to track by and to no avail. I then entered my phone number just as a wild guess and my order shows as shipped!!! It is in China on the way to the US!
This is very similar to last years dilemma with my iPhone 4 and it arrived early and AT&T's status page showed back ordered up to the day it was delivered.
I think everyone will get their phone on time as long as it was pre-ordered.