It seems I can top this. I wanted an empeg, and dragged my feet way too long. I assumed I would just get one on eBay. On a lark, I went to the Sonic Blue store and ordered a 10 gig on the 6th (long after it reported out of stock), and then a tuner on the 7th (ditto). I've got tracking numbers saying both shipped on the 9th.

It's starting to seem that anyone can order anything at any time from Sonic Blue estore and still get it. Why would anyone even consider eBay without trying this first?

-Aaron