I also ordered around then and took advantage of the 50% off. As far as I'm aware, shipping from South Africa alone is gunna take some time. And that's even if customs doesn't gunk up the works, which in my experience they always do. Had a coticule sit in new york for 6 weeks a little while back.

As far as the ordering and payment issue, I've never not paid upfront for something purchased through a website. That's simply how it goes.