i just called apple support and talked to "stormy". i asked her if she was also a stripper but she didn't understand.
the recording said that my i7 Quad 8GB 27" (ordered 10/30, W655) was prepared for shipping but my online it still says shipping in november.
Stormy said that mine was still just shipping in november. I asked her a number of questions for others on here, here are the answers:
1) All Imacs are being shipped out in order of order placement, first come first serve.
2) She said there is no Country preference although she said that it looked like the USA was getting theirs a bit earlier.
3) She said there was no preference between i5 and i7 on shipping earlier but it looks like the i5's did go out a little earlier.
4) She said payment type didn't matter
5) She said all stock ones were shipping before custom ones
6) She said they were given no real reason for the delays other than an overwhelming response. she did say she heard it might be due to the graphic cards but that was just scuttlebutt around the office, nothing official from apple.
6A) She said the more you refresh your screen the faster your iMac will be shipped.
7) She said she wouldn't go out with me because she didn't date guys my age...