Got another call from the ERT, usual spiel. Tried to tell me that my order was delivered on 9/25 (but that was my router). Said that indeed, the process should've been charge->label->ship quickly, but also re-emphasized JUMP priority. She relayed that they received large shipments on Thursday and Friday, and that I should be in the group that ships by 9/30 (but didn't sound too sure about that). Apologized profusely and said that they learned a lot of lessons. (I did too, which is not to buy form tmo again.) Said again that the online/phone status lags, and that they don't know why some later orders were shipped out before 9/12 orders.
As I've said before, they're patient, nice people who are calling, but just don't have any real answers - probably because tmo themselves don't have any. I've been nice to them, and also haven't asked for any more credits - I got a month's worth, but am more interested in getting my order at this point.
As a full-retail buyer, the lesson I've learned is to buy directly from Apple at midnight, period. I placed my (wife's) Apple order later in the day on 9/12... they charged on 9/26, it shipped the same day form China, and will be here on 10/2. It was originally promised between 10/13-10/20.
