sorry if this sounds condescending.
this is why the iPads will resell.
1. Look at ebay, a various fluctuation of prices (all over retail) ranging from 360-600+ (mind you, I am aware a few of them could be placebo's - fakes), but those are probably because the lowest are sold at the wrong times, or maybe too quickly, or descriptions arent engaging to potential customers.
2. It has usually went, when pre-orders dropped for many things lately in the past- say 2 years or at least 1 year, everything usually gets pushed to "4-6 weeks" or 3-4 weeks, etc. There are articles already published about constraints on the devices (nexus, ipad mini, etc) materials already, so what more do you need?
3. surely 3-4 weeks arent that long, but can apple pump out another good amount for EVERYONE who can afford a 300 some tablet (with some using discover discounts and apple gift cards) enough before that 25th?
4. around those early december days, people get frantic, and out come the 500, 600 dollar offers.
I COULD BE COMPLETELY WRONG. BUT. i could be completely right too, who knows, guess we will see in the news. the 5 came out a little while back and around where i live in california, not many att's have any in stock too..