Islands.. why the long delay ?

Ok I recently purchased an island and am just a bit curious why there is such a long delay between getting charged for the island and it actually getting created ? After all if Ansche (sp) can deliver almost immediately why does it take 2 weeks or more for a Linden Labs "cookie cutter" island ? I am not griping (ok maybe just a bit) I am really curious.

Does anyone know ?

If this is the wrong forum please bounce or move or whatever.

I believe (although I'm not experienced at this) that when you buy an island from LL, they actually set up a new server for you and install it in their machine room. That takes a little while.

When you buy from Anshe, the server already exists from when Anshe bought the island from LL (or from when whoever Anshe bought it from bought it from LL, or...), so she just transfers it to you and/or gives you permission to build on it.

If I were you, I'd call Linden Labs now. I have never been billed before receiving an island and according to the information, you shouldnt' have either. But you really need to contact them.

According to another post here, islands bought on the Land Store are charged immedately - maybe that was how Chris bought theirs?

(Edit, yes it was )

Yep Yumi, I saw that too. Guess that answers that )

Actually yes I did, and I did just get off the phone with Linden Labs (thanks for the recommendation Jana) According to Michael (nice Linden Lab billing dude) instant charging of the credit card is the norm and that is "the way to go from here on out". He did verify that all islands requested prior to 18 March are scheduled for completion this week.. so.. maybe mine and the earlier ones will get done soon.

But, that still doesn't answer why it takes so long in the first place. I can understand about adding servers and how that takes time but I work in IT.. it doesn't take 2 weeks to install a like configed server or if it does "Hey Lindens I can do it in 2 days!" (shameless job request).

I read somewhere that they add an entire rack of servers all at one time, which makes sense to me on a number of levels.

So while yes I have no doubt it could be faster, my experiences with other games/worlds/companies hints to me that this 'isn't too bad'. Just imagine what it would be like if SOE was in charge of it...

Yup, i ordered a private island Sunday and i was charged immediatly, using the land shop.
Now i wait, wait... wait waaaiiit ... yawn ...
damn, i can't wait

Ok the island finally arrived and I must say .... ITS GREAT!!!!! Thank you Cyn !

Make sure they set your monthly recurring fee to when the island was delivered, not ordered. I would have a fit of major magnitude if they try to bill you that monthly fee 2 weeks after delivery.

We ordered an island on March 20, and like the rest of you, we were immediately debited the $1250.00

Tomorrow will be 10 days, and still no island

I don't understand the delay either. I've pestered Jack Linden a bit, and he told me they are swamped with island orders. I just hope that they can catch up and we don't have to wait much longer.

Eventually.... (long pause)..... The Land Store will be completely automated and islands ordered via the Land Store will be delivered essentially the same day. So, the immediate billing of the order to your inworld credits account, or to your credit card, will be more appropriate in terms of timing.

I have also been told by a very well informed Linden that the first tier payment will be charged per existing policy a full 30-days after the island is comes online - not from the order date.

Meanwhile, if you order an island, and you worry about the timing of the charge to your credit card, you may want to consider ordering the island early in the card account billing cycle to allow sufficient time for the island to be delivered and not end up making a payment on goods and services not yet delivered.