Well i have never had a problem with them and mark is great guy to deal with. My guess is that it was likely on back order they have alot of items like that. Ok now the box deal i have had similar problems in the past from ordering from different companies where the box they had originally put it in was destroyed so the hub decided to put it in a another box that was not made for the item much less hold it. This happened to me with a set a speakers ages ago and the magnets were busted loose. Having to go through customs and all id say that was the delay (atleast two weeks worth maybe more) and maybe even a box transfer. Theres no telling what happens in customs and in transfer.