I understand what you are getting at, and if it wasn't for having something say that it was shipped 2 weeks ago (label created) and then early last week an update saying just a couple more days I wouldn't be as concerned. But now I'm leaving to head out of town in a couple days and I live alone, so there is no way it could be accepted when/if it ships. And almost adding insult to injury, when I head home at the end of the month I'll pretty much drive by where Whipple is in CA and wave to it.
I deal with customers on large deals as well (pre-sales for software), and always try to set expectations when I will be getting back to someone. Things happen and I get that. I hope Ron will get back to me soon. I'm not trying to say I'm not a pain in the @$$ sometimes, I totally am. At the same time I appreciate when someone keeps to what they have said.