there was a time when waiting 6 to 8 weeks to receive an order was the norm.
whether or not it's illegal to charge before shipping might vary from state to state. i'm not a cop, a lawyer, or a professional consumer advocate, so i won't throw an opinion around about that. i suspect, however, that it is not illegal. it's a common practice among ebay vendors (for example).
our our demands and expectations as online consumers have gotten unrealistic. instead of enjoying the super-fast arrivals, we are outraged by a wait of more than a few days. we throw hissy fits at the least inconvenience and smallest mistake.
we hop online and trash a business without giving them a fair chance to make things right.
unless you've never made a mistake in your whole life, it might be helpful to remember that we all goof up sometimes. howzabout stepping back, examining all the facts, and keeping it in proper perspective.