Looks like I got a nightmare scenario.

So I got my email back on the 28th of July. I put my reservation in on the 8th when they opened it up(don't ask what time, I don't know). Received the the notification at 10:28 in the PM and purchased it immediately. Valve shipped it out immediately 2 days later on the 30th via UPS(I'm not too trusting of that carrier). I waited patiently and noticed it was nearly the end of the week and I realized it was passed 5 days, so I check tracking, and what do I find? It traveled 2 towns down within the same day(7/30), and never moved since that day. I got no notification there was a delay until I checked the tracking myself. There was no email, or warning.

I contacted Valve support immediately about this, and they got back to me the next day saying to get in touch with UPS. I end up calling them, and of course they tell me they can't do anything further unless the sender contacts them. So I go back to Steam support, and let them know this, and they tell me to wait again. I go through an additional day with no delivery or update via tracking, and message them back again. Then I'm told it was likely lost in transit(or stolen in my opinion), and I can request a refund or a replacement. Obviously I want a replacement. I waited too long to be booted to the 2027 line for a new controller.

Then I get another message the next day, that they will be investigating UPS before giving me a replacement, and it will take another 5 days. Seriously? You didn't do this from the start days ago when I told you there was literally a delay and UPS won't speak to me?? I'm sorry, but I have to rant. I heard and seen more than enough times that Valve doesn't do discreet packaging with their products, and I definitely lucked out when I received my Steam Deck years back, because anyone could have looked at that and said: "mine". I didn't expect problems so quickly after buying it. It hasn't even left the state it was shipped from. I crossed my fingers regarding UPS, because I both experienced and was told more than enough problems with them over the years. To be delayed by this long and without a peep sounds to me like someone eyeballed that package and said: "mine". But time will tell I guess.

I guess I'll update this when another 5 days pass to learn my controller's fate.