So, looks like the units are being shipped from DFW.. That explains why I received my gear fit 2 within 2 days of placing my pre-order on the 3rd, and got the shipping confirmation email for it AFTER receiving it (I'm based in Dallas).
I hope I can get the phone itself by the end of this week, and I hope it's not defective. Would hate to go over the whole process again.
And don't blame Samsung for Digital River's shortcomings. For what it's worth, I received my iPhone 6 plus a month after I pre-ordwred it. Never easy getting a new phone through mail, that's why people line up on first day of release.