rmsz, I feel your pain cos you wanted in, and got blocked by beauracrisy, no matter who was in the wrong.
grabbing them on market and paying 20/30% premium may be the way to go, if you feel determined to buy, you already hold any way.
That said, I can also understand any resistance to buying OM, and figure you're pretty peeved, fair enough.
I think its a buy regardless.
