FedEx Ground is 2-Day Shipping to most destinations. It is 4 times less than 2nd Day FedEx Priority... needless to say, it is not UPS Ground service which is 3-5 days.
Secondly... getting bad equipment is par with the course because computers are made by humans, and considering humans are not perfect, it would be a far fetch to expect the hardware you get to be perfect at all times. The only thing damaged here is your "want it now" mentality. Which, would be effected by any of us, including myself.
Many moons ago, I ordered a Performa Mac system that was refurb. It was DOA. Apple had somone out to replace the motherboard in a day or two and it worked perfectly after that.
Earlier in 2005, both I and a friend of mine, purchased Refurb iMac G5's within a few days of each other. Mine came and never had any issues with it. He, on the other hand was a new Mac user. His machine came with his airport card semi-bent (and it didn't work) and he had some ongoing issues with power. Turned out, his powersupply was bad as well. Then, a few months later, his right speaker wasn't working and happily, it was all replaced and fixed at no additional cost out of his pocket.
Did he come to me crying about the situation? Nope. Did Apple's image in his mind devalue? Nope... because the issues where taken care of.
While it might feel good to come online and bitch about your situation, which we are all guilty of doing, what you have shown is that Apple took care of the issue and will be spending you a different or fixed Mac system and that, to all, should be good news.
My nephew asked me last month, who was getting a 15" PB and he was concerned that some people where reporting various hardware issues. He was wondering if he should get one, based upon online rants, much like yours. I told him, if, in the rare case you get or have the same issue or different issue from those who are reporting problems... Appple will resolve the issue and fix it, as long as it fits under what is covered. He confirmed that my view was indeed correct and he ordered the system. Of course, I have yet to hear any issues from him. Of course, with the macbook pro just released, not sure if I want to hear from him. (haha)
Anyhow... that said... Im not on your case... but before you rant... preface it with "Venting" because that is all this is.
As such, that is all my post is too.