Ryan, I feel your pain in regards to merchants changing launch dates, product names, etc.

A couple of reasons for this, whether you consider it in their defense or not is debatable, is that the dates for launch set when they purchase the listings are tentative. And the reasons for pushing back are not always within the merchant's control.

In your defense, there is plenty of room for improvement that merchants should be taking seriously, IMHO. Many are most certainly not thinking of SEO Marketers like yourself when making their decisions, and there definitely has to be more thought put into the time and process between listing and actual launching ... without a doubt.

Cheers,

Mike Sr