Friend of mine is in line for a core. Midnight-launch Best Buy counted it out and took down names and drivers license #s already. It was stay in line and buy a core or get out of line and maybe not get one at all. He decided to stay.
Just to point out, some people at EB who wanted a premium bundle are being switched to a core. Of course you'll get a call, but if you do it you'll get 50% off any one 360 game. That does soften the blow a little.
Well I can certainly afford to pay off the differences eventually... but it'll be better than nothing I suppose. That said, I'd buy one and hang onto it until a PP arrives.
Some of us who were lucky enough to grab a system during Friday's brief sales at Walmart.com and CircuitCity.com had to pay out the ass for shipping. Overnight shipping from CC was $97. That almost makes up the difference for the extra acessories you'd have to buy to make your Tard Pack a Premium Pack. If someone is fortunate enough to have the option to jump on a Tard Pack, you'd be crazy not to.
...Unless of course you can wait a few months. Then you don't have to settle.