I realize there is a chip shortage and what not, but why are “in stock” items shipping out so late?
The items were delayed because the chip shortage caused a backlog in electronics orders. I’m not sure really what else can be said in terms of an explanation.
Wow! Sounds like some major constipation 
. All kidding aside, with USPS announcing expected delivery delays beginning Oct 1st plus the major order backlog—there’s a good chance orders placed now won’t make it in time for Halloween. Even if items are delivered near Halloween, there’s little time to install the mods. Well… I guess people can shoot for the Nov 19th premier date to get their packs up and ready.
Unfortunately with the pandemic continuing to muck things up across the board, I think we’ll all have to make various concessions regarding our prop building schedules. 
It’d been my hope to make some substantial progress on my next Proton Pack replica, but the lockdowns have had knock-on-effects to my personal circumstances, which have made getting it done in time very unlikely.