I've been lurking around this thread and some over on Samsung. I never reached out to Samsung over the past two weeks and just got my shipping notification.
Preordered on the 31st.
Received on the 19th from T-Mobile.
Sent info for approval on the 19th.
Received approval on the 20th.
Received buy email on the 22nd.
Purchased on the 22nd.
Received shipping notification from Samsung and FedEx today.
It was a great deal for $99, and it made my decision to get the phone. I didn't bother contacting Samsung, as I didn't really think it would make any difference. With promos and free stuff, it is a gamble. Much like Black Friday specials. I don't shop on Black Friday, but if I got something that was a good deal, I would be excited to get it, but not disappointed if I didn't.
Based on following these threads over the past week or so, it seems like they are getting towards the end of the stock and the cutoff may be those that purchased on the 22nd. It seems like once they approved you, it locked in the stock for a period of time and then purchasing it secured your stock.
I'd be interested to see if anyone was able to pay on the 23rd. I haven't run across any yet.
Everyone that got an order confirmation should be good-to-go.