Despite one more screw-up in my shipping date...iPhone 6+ 128GB Space Gray is actually arriving 9/19 by 3pm

Question

I've had a lot of issues getting a reliable status out of Verizon.  See the previous posts here and here.  Needless to say, I'm fed up.  Finally, after being told that my phone would definitely arrive on 9/19, my card was actually charged on 9/17.  That seemed promising.  The order status updated to the typical "Processing, check back tomorrow" message.  The order actually appeared when I logged into my Verizon account for the first time.  So I waited all day and when I woke up on 9/18...the status did actually change.  The status changed to "Ship by 10/7".  I about lost it.
I got Verizon on the phone, the first time via the Internet Orders phone number.  The guy basically told me that they didn't have a tracking number and that their system had a lot of issues and due to the overwhelming demand they had to delay some of the orders.  I tried to get more info and see if there was any chance I would get my order 9/19, and was told "No, that's just the way it is".  So I tried calling 611, talked to another CSR.  They told me pretty much the same thing and that I would be stuck waiting.  I was livid.  But at that point, I was done.  Done calling, done posting, I just resigned myself to the fact I would be waiting weeks to get my order and that I would be switching my carrier at some point due to the total lack of knowledgeable customer service.
I checked the status again on a whim, around 6pm EST.  It actually changed again...this time the "Ship by 10/7" date went away, and it changed to "Shipped", with a UPS tracking number.  The tracking number was actually a link that pointed to FedEx (seriously, they can't get anything right).  I looked up the number on UPS's site and found out it was shipping from Memphis, TN via UPS Next Day Air Saver, and it listed my correct delivery city (I was hesitant to believe it, because I've been given a FedEx number before by a CSR that was bogus and shipping to another state).  The package says it will be delivered 9/19 by 3pm, and has moved from Memphis, TN to Louisville, KY.
I'm hopeful I'll actually get my phone tomorrow, and not a gift-wrapped pile of...something...in a Verizon box.  I wouldn't put it past Verizon to find a way to screw this up still, but this is the most promising things have looked thus far.  To all those checking the order status every day for the next couple weeks...the best advice I have is just don't believe it.  At all.  I've had dates showing 9/19, 10/14, 10/7.  I had CSR's guarantee delivery on a date, and others telling me I'd be waiting weeks and there was nothing they could do.  I've had a response via Twitter saying I would definitely receive my order on 9/19 and a DM on this forum telling me the Twitter user was wrong.  I had the date change after the card was charged.  I've had a fake order number sent to me from an actual Verizon number via a text just to get me off the phone.  I've been given a FedEx tracking number for someone else's order to get me off the phone.  I've had the absolute worst customer service experience I've ever had in my life.  Before this, I thought Verizon was the best carrier out there, and this destroyed all confidence that anyone working there in customer service has a clue about what's going on behind the scenes.
So yes...Verizon..."I understand how exciting this can be."  Just not in a way that reflects positively on you.

Answer 1

I've got more conflicting responses to add to the list:
Via Twitter from @vzwsupport:"Great news Matt. Your pre-order is ordered correctly & is scheduled to ship 9/19 via FedEx. No other info is until it ships. ^VC"
Via direct message on these forums from @saraho_vzw:"Thank you very much for getting back to me. I know it's exciting to be waiting for this phone and I'm sure you want to know exactly when to expect it. I must apologize because the email date that you received in that confirmation is incorrect and this was due to some system issues we were having at the time these orders were placed. I am seeing the correct delivery date for your order is 10/7, and I'm so sorry for the confusion and delay. -Sarah"
Upon replying to @saraho_vzw and asking why the response from @vzwsupport conflicted with her response:"If I received both of those dates I'd be confused too! 10/7 is the correct date. I'm fortunate enough to work right alongside ^VC and she was not aware of the issues going on with our system at the time the order was placed. I've made her aware of this so others are not misinformed.  -Sarah"
So if the last message is correct, I'm not going to have my phone until 10/7, and Verizon's entire checkout process and confirmation emails completely misrepresented the actual date I will receive my phone.  I've asked them to re-mediate the issue but I'm not confident they will meet their original agreed upon delivery dates whatsoever.  This is absolutely horrible customer service.  Advertising a deliver by date of 9/19 prevented me from going elsewhere to get my order fulfilled.  And no...it's not 'exciting to be waiting for this phone'.  It's frustrating.  We had an agreement when I placed the order and Verizon is failing to meet the agreed upon terms without any explanation other than 'issues' in their system, and claiming they have no control to escalate the order and correct the ship date.  I'm done.