I wonder about that though. I happen to be a rather enthusiastic smash player so naturally when I heard Amazon had the upcoming one up for preorder I jumped on it.
There isn't actually any announced date for it, the only official word was that it would come out this year (2018). Amazon put a date of December 31st which is pretty obviously just a placeholder date.
I don't think this has much to do with any scheduled release date so much as perhaps since it's technically an already released product they just don't consider it a preorder. I'm also not sure if they previously HAD some stock of it or not though I feel like I've seen them do this before.

 

Thanks. The only thing that is gonna kill me with this line, is they will likely give us 2-3 decepticons and 10 autobots by the time it is done. It was brutal for the Human Alliance display, although when I had those on display I tossed Deluxe Ravage and Scorponok in with the decepticons. May have to get the ROTF repaint of Megatron that is fairly cheap to toss in the display with my MP Decepticons for now.

 

So I got an email this morning canceling my order even though I had previously responded that "I will keep waiting" for it. I really hope he pops up again.

 

It's back up now. 9/15 release date:

https://www.amazon.com/Transformers...&pf_rd_p=16b35636-6c7d-51f6-83b5-988d33d81888

 

Looks like there are already 3rd party stores taking up stock. I have to say- this recent discovery of comingling inventory, even on brand new/ just released items has me thinking of getting figures elsewhere. Who knows if there is going to be KOs or Takara stock mixed in with the Hasbro stock? No way to tell until you get the package shipped

 

Yes, but the 9/15 stock says sold by amazon. I don't see how that wouldn't be separate, official, stock?

 

People still looking for a MPM Barricade yet I can't seem to sell mine.  

 

Check the sellers. There is another prime seller. My understanding is that they send stock to amazon and it's mixed. Amazon sets the preorder date, so based on the system no other prime seller can be listed as in stock until amazon is. However, that doesn't prevent them from sending stock to amazon in advance, whether is be KOs, Takara versions, etc. Noticed it with non-TF toy items I have preordered before.