Most people have mentioned that they have received their Dell systems on time. Same here.

But I had similar delays as the OP when I was trying to buy an Axim in December 2004. I ordered it about two weeks prior to a five-week vacation, with an estimated ship date that would have gotten it to my door in plenty of time. Like the OP experienced, the estimated ship date was pushed out at the last possible minute, and the delay meant the Axim would arrive after I had already left the country.

Also like the OP experienced, a brand new order had an earlier ship date than the revised date of my original order. Since time was running out, I ordered a second (identical) Axim with overnight shipping.

The second one was shipped about a week before the first one. I got it the day before taking off. Fortunately I didn't need to use it much (it was a vacation, after all) but what a mess.

I should note this was right around the debut of the X50v, so I could expect some supply chain issues, but nobody at Dell seemed to have a clue.