Hello All...possible good news. I just got off a call a bit ago with a very nice employee in Microsoft's processing dept. I told her that I ordered the 950 XL via the online store with express shipping and an 11/25 ship by date. I inquired as to whether or not I might receive the phone earlier than the 25th. She left me on hold for a while. When she returned the conversation went like this:
Rep: I spoke with a few different people and there is a possibility that you could receive the phone before the 25th...but it's a surprise.
Me: so you're saying that it IS possible and it would be a surprise but you CAN'T tell me it's a surprise. *wink*
Rep: (with a laugh) Yes that's right. Something Microsoft might do for folks that preordered.
Soooo...let's all keep our fingers crossed.