X Series Tablets Shipping discussion (2012-2013)

Question

All,
Post your shipping and order management experiences here.
Here are some common points of frequent discussion:
How to get a system fast: Buy an in-stock standard configuration from Lenovo or a Lenovo Partner in your area. Customized systems take longer.
Avoid Credit Holds - ensure that BOTH your bill to and ship to addresses are listed with your CC bank before ordering 
Lenovo will NOT bill your card until order ships - an authorization charge hold to check for available balance may show up when order is first placed. 
Estimated ship dates are based on default lead time and can vary from what was displayed on website. 
In the US and Canada, Lenovo utilizes UPS for new product shipments 
Orders may ship before the Estimated Ship Date 
Orders may enter through Alaska and pass through Louisville, KY before traveling on to final address 
Cancellation requests may take up to 2 days to process 
Requests to change configuration or other aspects of the order may require the order to be rebooked. 
Lenovo does not accept payment via international credit cards, except AMEX. 
2011 shipping discussions for Thinkpad X Series Tablets can be viewed -->here<--.
2010 -->here<--.
Prior to 2010 -->here<---.
I don't work for Lenovo. I'm a crazy volunteer!

Answer 1

DUTCHvanAtlanta wrote:
Shipping for my order has just been delayed for a week and a half.  If this happens again, it may become necessary to cancel this thing.
I hope Lenovo computers are better than their order system.  After receiving notice that the ship date had been postponed from 6 Jan to 17 Jan, it shipped on 8 Jan.  I hope they have their manufacturing act together better than how they handle orders.  Their order system seems like it's a http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_fire_drill being directed by the Keystone Kops.
Moderator edit: Changed year in subject to 2012.