Thanks. Did they send you a tracking number?
Yes, because it was the "normal order process" since they added the item to the estore or moved parts that were OOS into their store inventory. Place order, get confirmation email with order link, then it ships, another email etc.
I will add I have used their RMA process once for an item I bought through the e-store and used inside sales (via chat) to help figure out what to buy before the purchase- but the product was not a match for the use case in an SC836 despite working with the folks there prior to the purchase.
The RMA process was arduous because it was (is?) based on the premise that you have an existing system / serial number that is warrantied.
I had to get help (chat again) to fill out the system RMA form correctly for an estore return. Fortunately I started the process within their return window and had email and chat log backup. The RMA team did not act on the RMA for about 55 days or so. Pretty sure they basically forgot about it. Had to escalate (again through chat), finally got an RMA # and away it went. Another 30 days I had my credit.
A couple of things, SM charges shipping, can take 2-14 days in my experience. I think their shipping prices are okay - not super cheap, not super expensive. Better if you have more items. 1 or 2 items may be better off the bay... see next paragraph.
I have observed that some of these weird SM parts (and commodity estore items) can be found on the bay - they seem to be sold by the same folks, tm_space (not so coincidentally in San Jose) is one of them vigilante1317 (Chicago) may be another though I'm thinking the latter is more into deconstructing systems. tm_space for example tends to charge 100%+ markup, but free shipping, some items are marked special handling 7-14 day delay. Pretty sure this entity is just using the SM order process and has figured out how to get their weird SM parts through their system. Maybe ex- (current) employee?
Me I tend to (usually) be more patient so will save up a few items and then place a SM order to decrease the shipping per item.