I was obsessively checking my pre-order status today and I was shocked to see that my pre-order placed March 22 now has a status of canceled!

You are not alone...

See this one....

and this one...

Apparently that is their system to get the "real" order in so it can be shipped. Very poorly handled by them....We still don't know what they are really up to...

Looks like Staples is finally catching up with the idea customer service includes providing information. I got this email this afternoon:

Valued Staples Customer,

Thank you for selecting a BlackBerry PlayBook during our pre-sale campaign.
Because this is a pre-sale, the order number assigned when you preordered
(referenced above) will not provide valid tracking information and at some point
will show 'cancelled' if you try to track it. We wanted to assure you we have
reserved your PlayBook and it will ship between April 18th and April 20th with a
transit time of 1 - 3 business days. You will receive your order number that
can be tracked when the product ships and your credit card will be charged at
that time.

For any other general questions or concerns, call customer service at
800-333-3330. Please reference your order number on any inquiries.

Thank you for choosing Staples.

Sincerely,
Staples Customer Service

Although the April 11 date is certainly no more, perhaps there is hope.....

Yep. Got that e-mail as well. I'd say give up on the 11th and prepare for the 20th or so.

buy one locally if you can and cancel the pre order is my plan

I have thought about that. Hm... Is it important enough to cancel my order and hunt down a store that has them in stock? Not sure...

Important enough to cancel the preorder? Don't think so especially because there is no charge for delivery. Maybe I could get it a day earlier? Now that the initial delivery date of the 11th is history if I get it the 19th or 20th, no big deal.

If the 19th comes and they announce another delay in delivery, but the stores have it available I might be annoyed then.

I also don't know how to gauge demand. Will there be limited supplies available at stores with them running out the first or second day? I just don't get that feeling, but I am not seeing or hearing anything convincing either way.

If it is a flop as some have predicted I suppose I will be angry for not waiting for the quick markdowns that would likely occur. If it is a hit and in short supply I will be pleased I guess.

I am going to maintain status quo I think.........

That date of the 11th was a Staples-induced fantasy!
I wouldn't cancel; if not on the 19th then we'll get them very close to the 19th.

I don't personally believe (WARNING - AN OPINION FOLLOWS) that demand will be that great. No lines or anything. And it will be on sale at enough different retail locations (not including presales) to handle it.

Staples appears to be prepping now. I got the updated order confirmation that now shows as a Telephone order instead of Internet as I had originally placed it.

The estimated delivery now shows as April 19, and by UPS, not the Staples Courier:
Expected Delivery: 04/19/2011 by UPS

I was expecting if I wasn't home I would be able to head to the store, but if it is UPS that means having to be there or wind up going to their terminal if I miss them 3 times.

The UPS terminal is not as close by.

Oh boy, here we go (soon)...

Had the same experience while checking my credit card update. Before yesterday (Sunday), the money was being processed (placed order on April 4) but as at yesterday evening, the Playbook amount was no more deducted. On BestBuy website, I still have "In-process" displayed as it has been from day-one of ordering. If nothing happens in my account by tomorrow eve (19th), i will cancel and buy from Officemax or Staples.
This waiting and suspense are killing.

Expected Delivery: 04/22/2011 by UPS

not good for a pre order

First (and possibly last) time I've done a pre-order. A uniquely terrible product launch.

I was expecting it to be like Amazon does it with books....on your doorstep day of release. But I haven't received a shipping notice from BestBuy yet, so I'm guessing I'm in the same boat. If it is delivered by the end of the week I won't complain, at least not too loudly.

Interesting, because Staples has given me a UPS tracking number that shows the PlayBook will be in my hands tomorrow. How is Staples doing better (and that's being very, very generous) than Best Buy, when Best Buy is a "preferred" retailer for the PlayBook?

As NJBlackBerry said, this is a horrible product launch. Confusion surrounding the pre-orders and buggy devices sent to reviewers... what a disaster.

Ian, at least you have a tracking number. I still don't and I called Staples again this morning. The young lady first said it is due to be delivered by their courier tomorrow between 9-5 and in mid sentence said they had just received them and I was due to be delivered tomorrow by UPS!

She said they will be shipped overnight and that during the day today tracking numbers would be received and the system would be updated to reflect the assigned tracking number.

I just checked and it still shows 0 shipped with delivery still due tomorrow by UPS.

I am fast becoming more and more doubtful, but I remain hopeful.

RIM's lauch has been horrible and Staples is adding to the mystery......

I pre-ordered mine today and Staples said it will be delivered tomorrow. Web site says delivery on 4/19 ordered on 4/18

I called Best Buy and they were basically clueless.

So I sent a withering e-mail to our RIM Enterprise Account Marketing team (yes, they have marketing people, but they must be napping now) about this terrible launch.

Why bother to pre-order? I can drive 5 minutes to Best Buy (or 3 minutes to Staples) and I'd bet they will have plenty in stock tomorrow. It's not like they are going to see out like, say, AN IPAD...

I wish you luck. Of course, just because I have a tracking number doesn't mean something won't go wrong. Wouldn't be the first time with UPS.

Turns out I have been checking the Staples account on line and there have been no updates. Lo and behold I missed an email from them Friday that included the tracking number and delivery date of today. Up to yesterday the site was indicating nothing shipped yet. Today it was finally updated.

It is on a truck for delivery, but unfortunately this is the worst day of the week with no one home.

Getting closer.....

Best Buy marked my order as "Backordered". Called them. Could be 1-2 weeks. But they really didn't know.
REALLY?

So I went online and ordered one at the local BB for pickup today. Got the 32gb model. Done.

Terrible fulfillment. TERRIBLE.