How soon after pmt does Apple ship devices?

[jjdukes]

I am waiting for a 7 Plus that was estimated Oct4-10th for delivery but Apple just charged my credit card today and status now has been changed to "Preparing for Shipment". I thought I remembered in the past that they don't charge your credit card until it's almost ready to ship or maybe that's just projection on my part.
Does anyone know if this is an indication that my phone will be shipping soon?

 

[JeryFD]

From past experience I believe once the status changes to "Preparing for Shipment" your phone ships out very soon after. You should be getting your phone sooner then the original estimated date.

 

[Evilguppy]

Yeah mine was "preparing for shipment" for maybe 24 hours at the most and then it was shipped but at first the tracking updates aren't very forthcoming.

 

[kch50428]

Once your payment method account is debited or charge applied to a credit card, you should have already or will soon receive a tracking number... That's usually how it works.

 

[jjdukes]

Thanks folks. I thought that's how it has worked in the past. Maybe I'll have it by week's end!