Well, Well, Dell...
Those people at Dell finally processed my computer order, and upped the tax $.01. The first two stages ("Order Processing" and "Pre-production" are complete, they're now up to "In Production"). Dell has a cute page that explains the full process. Delivery Estimate: 10/16-20. Actual charged amount was $502.70 - $100 MIR - $14.79 FC - $5.03 CC cash back = $382.88.
Meanwhile, the 200 GB HD order is still "delayed". LOTS of chatter on FW.