My engraved one, ordered on the 9th, has just gone to prepared for shipping.
I recently bought an iPod nano from the Apple Store, and it was delivered the day after it was prepared for shipping.
Two days ago I ordered a Classic and it was prepared for shipping and shipped the same day, and I received it the next.
This is despite the fact that the expected delivery dates in both cases were quite a few days later.
Now I don't know if the Touch is being shipped from a different geographic location to the nano and classic, but if not then I would expect UK mainland Touches to be delivered the day after they go to shipping, notwhithstanding the expected delivery dates.
Which means I - and everyone else who have got "prepared for shipping" comments - should be getting a Touch tomorrow!
There's something to think about - sorry if I get your hopes up and you're still waiting on the 5th October....