The dates given for estimated delivery are given by the manufacturer. They are definitely subject to change based on situations beyond our control. Whether it be a production flaw that needs repairing or a delay in production, it is usually best to allow a greater length of time to get your skates. Most skaters get set and excited over a certain date.   Often, there are manufacturing delays, beyond our control that delay order processing up to 12 weeks. If you can, please keep that possibility in the back of your mind.  Remember that we are doing the best we can to get the skates and ship them as fast as possible.
In most circumstances around the Christmas holiday, manufacturers due do deliver the goods within a reasonable time prior to Christmas. All skates on our preorder page are expected to be here well in time prior to Christmas, so you can plan on that. If when the skates are due becomes difficult and you feel uncomfortable, you can always call or submit a new order online, and we can substitute your new order, and eliminate your original order without penalty.

You are billed when the skates ship. Sometimes in order to ship promptly upon skate arrival, we will bill your account up to 48 hours prior to shipping.

If you decide to upgrade your shipping, this will put you in the stack of first orders to ship because you are paying extra for shipping. If you go for the free shipping, your order usually will not be delayed anyway.  Sometimes dates of expected arrival on a preorder change and you need to get them faster. You can at a later date submit a new order for just the shipping option. In the comments section of the order, please specify that we should apply this to your preorder.

If you are able to prepay prior to one month before the expected arrival time on a preorder, we usually can deduct $10 off the cost for a prepayment discount. We will charge your credit card immediately for your order total less $10. We cannot guarantee that we can do this in all circumstances, however offer you this option if this is something that would benefit you.

When we offer a preorder we give you the manufacturers estimated delivery date. That is subject to change based on manufacturer's delays. We have no control over them, and they do happen. 
In the event of a delay, you are able to switch to a different skate. Normal delays are a couple weeks to a couple months. Delays happen half of the time, and the normal delay period for USD is a couple of weeks to a month. For k2, roces, and salomon, delays are a month to a couple months. For Razor, delays are normally 1 week. We cannot guarantee the delay period, but want to give you an idea of what you might expect.