My Note 7 journey will come to a close when I get to the ATM today to deposit the refund check from Verizon. for my own sake I am putting down my notes, feel free to scroll past!
--Preordered early August for 8/19 delivery - paid full price since i had no upgrade available but wanted the phone
--Switched to my Note 2 when first "shut down" order came, including visit to store to get a working SIM for old phone (my prior phone was already in use on our other line due to the other phone taking a dip in the ocean)
--Stopped by the store on Tuesday 9/20 and they had received approved stock, so I was able to get setup on my replacement N7 (had to do online chat later to get my $25 nuisance credit)
--Switched back to my Note 2 when the second "shut down" order came (and eventually bought Amazon Moto G4 Play and G4 (not play), total for two unlocked contract free phones = $220 hahaha)
--reached out via 611, online chat, store 1-2 times per week for 3+ weeks asking for my box
--box arrived 11/7, UPS delivered my replacement N7 to Ft Worth TX on 11/11
--Verizon emailed acknowledging receipt of box on 11/17 saying they would send a check in 2-3 weeks
--CHECK ARRIVED 11/28
So over three months of being out $915 bucks for a total of about 3 weeks of phone use and so far just $25 in "oh sorry" money. I didn't even get an extra fast charging plug or USB-C cord out of it since they wouldn't give me the box when i exchanged my phone (since I didn't have the box with me).
Lesson learned - no more pre-order at full price for me...
Good Luck to you all! Clarice