Just called VZW...here is what I learned. It is about payment date, not order date.
I was told the following "If your payment for your X was received on the 7th, 8th, 9th or 10th our phones will ship no later than the 25th." The 7th-10th is a batch shipment. Then 11th-15th...ect. That is how vzw is grouping the ship by dates.
Orders placed on the early days are more likely to be shipped first (obviously).
So...If people who paid on the 7th are getting emails today, the 15th saying the 18th as delivery date we can comfortably assume the following.
Payment--Email--Delivery
7th--15th--18th (Wednesday)
8th--16th--19th (Thursday)
9th--17th--20th (Friday)
10th--18th--23rd (Monday)
Good Information, I am to how that works for me since I had them put the cost of the phone on my bill. Which I have not paid yet since the cycle hasn't come due yet. Hopefully it considers the 7th the paid date..