Amazon Delays Shipment of Kindle Fire HDX 4G (both Verizon and AT&T) by 3 weeks!

Customers who had pre-ordered the 4G models of Kindle Fire HDX 7" were informed yesterday - the day the Verizon and AT&T versions  were supposed to be released - by Amazon that the shipment of these devices has been delayed by a whooping 3 weeks. 

The very matter of fact email from the Amazon customer service in the wee hours (our anonymous source received it at 4 AM) did not give any reasons, just stating that "Unfortunately, we are unable to ship the item(s) as soon as we expected" 

and informing the customers that the new date is December 4th. The email also said that the customer may "either refuse delivery or return it"  to amazon for a refund if the devices "arrive too late". it also urged them to consider buying the Wi-Fi models. 

Since there is no other public announcement or clarification, and the message was sent in wee hours of the day the shipment was supposed to be delivered, it is very clear that Amazon is obviously trying to keep this delay under the covers as much as possible; but these PR tactics may back fire. If I were waiting anxiously for this device, getting an email on the day I was supposed to get the device in my hands would appear sneaky and hideous. 

some bloggers have attributed this delay to a potential side effect of the government shut down which might have delayed the FCC approval. (click here of the source) . 

Whatever be the reason, one would assume someone at Amazon knew about this delay and could have informed customers ahead, rather than waiting for the expected day of delivery. Also, just sending emails to customers waiting for their devices lack of an official public notification definitely cast a show on company's otherwise impeccable brand image in terms of customer satisfaction and general trustworthiness. 

Amazon's website is currently showing the various 4G models - both Verizon and AT&T as December 18th, and delivery by December 24th, but only if you pick the 2 day shipping option. 

Amazon, Inc. shares closed today at $368.45, up by $1.03. 

Here is the text of the full message received by our source: 

----- Forwarded Message -----
From: "order-update@amazon.com" <order-update@amazon.com>
Sent: Thursday, November 14, 2013 4:00 AM
Subject: Your Amazon.com order 

Hello,

We're writing about the order you placed on October 06, 2013 (Order#<deleted>). Unfortunately, we are unable to ship the item(s) as soon as we expected and need to provide you with a new estimate of when the item(s) may be delivered:
       
  "Kindle Fire HDX 7", HDX Display, Wi-Fi and 4G LTE, 16 GB"
    New Delivery Estimate: December 04, 2013

We will make every effort to get the delayed item(s) to you as soon as possible.  If there are other items in your order, they'll be shipped according to the delivery estimates listed in the order details in Your Account <link deleted> at no additional cost.
   
For more information about this order please visit:
<link deleted>

If your shipment arrives too late, you may either refuse delivery or return it to us for a refund. For returns instructions, please visit our Returns Center at:

<link deleted>

Please accept our sincerest apologies for any inconvenience caused by this delay.

Feel free to reach out to Customer Service with any questions at <link deleted>  
Please consider the following similar items, which may be available sooner:

- You can purchase a variation of the original item:

  "Kindle Fire HDX 7", HDX Display, Wi-Fi, 16 GB - Includes Special Offers" [Electronics]
  <link deleted>

  "Kindle Fire HDX 7", HDX Display, Wi-Fi, 32 GB - Includes Special Offers" [Electronics]
 <link deleted>

  "Kindle Fire HDX 7", HDX Display, Wi-Fi, 64 GB - Includes Special Offers" [Electronics]
  <link deleted>

Differences between your original item and our recommendations are typically minor but some things, such as the item's cost, may be different.
   
Sincerely,

Customer Service Department
<link deleted>
==============================
Check your order and more: <link deleted>

Please note: This e-mail was sent from a notification-only address that cannot accept incoming e-mail. Please do not reply to this message.