So I got the shipping notice on the aluminum 64GB I ordered this weekend, and it will be delivered to my house tomorrow. Graphite 64GB I ordered on Oct 4 is still pending but within the window of "leaves warehouse by Nov 5". I called google CS and asked about the return policy, and they confirmed that if I use the aluminum and decide to return it within 15 days I just need to pay return shipping. The CS also said that I can call CS back, and if I decide to keep the aluminum I can ask to have the $50 google play credit (for my graphite that is still pending) transferred to the aluminum, if I want to just cancel the graphite order. Interesting.
I'll see how the aluminum looks with the cheap all black case on it. If I am ok with how it looks then I may try to just get the credit transferred. Still kind of aggravating, but at least I have a backup plan now.
EPILOGUE: So I have been using my 6p Aluminum this week and loving it. Spent some time setting it up the way I like it. I got the shipping notice 11/5 on the 64GB graphite, which was a preorder from 10/4. The graphite arrived yesterday and so did a separate email with the $50 google play credit - which I promptly applied to my son's gmail account as an early birthday present. I called google CS service today and asked about returning the graphite I received, and specifically about whether or not I would get to keep the $50 google play credit. The answer was "I don't see why we would cancel or take it back, especially since you've redeemed it." Okay, not exactly a confident-sounding answer, but the best I would get out of this guy. I told him to proceed with the return on the graphite (for which the shipping box has not even been opened).
Two minutes later I get the email with the info for returning the graphite, containing general info, an RMA label to print and put in the box, as well as a shipping label for UPS. Here is part of the email message:
Your refund
Once we receive and inspect your returned device, we’ll send a refund to your original payment method within 14 days.
Several factors may affect your refund amount:
We’ll deduct the original shipping and handling charges
The item and all accessories must be returned in like-new condition
We may deduct fees for damages or missing components
We may reduce the return value by the promotional credit amount, if you used a promotion code
If you have any questions, feel free to reply directly to this email.
I didn't like the statement "We may reduce the return value by the promotional credit amount, if you used a promotion code" so I called CS back and spoke to another guy. He also didn't know the policy on whether or not we can keep the google promotional code if we return the device that was preordered. He typed up the question to an "escalation supervisor" while he had me on the line, and the response he got back was vague enough that he recommended I keep the graphite (to which the the google play promotion was attached) and return the aluminum I've been using for 4 days. So, that is what I am doing. Opened up the graphite, transferred the nicely wrapped cables to the aluminum box, factory reset the aluminum, and packaged it up. The graphite is all set up now just like the aluminum was and the aluminum will be sent back early next week. I do like the graphite color better, more to my taste, so I am only out the time spent on this. Not sure if they will charge me for the return shipping.
Just FYI in case anyone else is in the same boat as me with the delayed preorders. What a pain in the ****. Now I am really, truly done on this thread, peace!