The lack of knowledge about this release doesn't seem that different than the other LE releases. No one ever knows when they will get the products, or how many of each item they will be getting. I had a rep from a TF store call me yesterday to apologize for giving me wrong info about a restock. So if the TF employees are confused, you can imagine how the other retailers are.
I find that the best strategy for getting what you want is to "strike when the iron is hot." If you want a product and see it online or in store, then buy it/order it/etc. Don't wait to get it from a specific retailer. Preorders are sometimes sketchy and depend on the tenacity of the SA. At my regular TF counter all of the SAs are promising their customers products, so it depends on who gets to the loading dock first when the shipment arrives.
Nordstrom CS has told me 4 different release dates ranging from the beginning of August to the end of September. Hopefully it will be sooner rather than later for people who want to order from them.