Smash - thanks for the additional info - much appreciated.
So here's my story from earlier today:
I went into the local TRU, they had nothing new on the pegs, so I went to the Customer Service desk and basically explained the whole schpeil about the Vintage line, the supposed email authorizing them to sell these, etc. Woman at the desk seems sympathetic enough, but asks a Floor Manager to come over for help. I repeat the whole Schpeil for him, we look the items up on the computer, he finds them in stock, he even tries ringing it up by the item # on the register to see if it allows the sale to go through - it does. He can't find the email though, or any kind of memo indicating it is ok to sell these. He sort of seems on the fence at this point, but suddenly enter Stock Dude. This is a younger guy who looks like he just got out of a Limp Bizkit show, knows all about the stock room and no way he is putting these out he says. He goes on to say they are waiting for the Hasbro rep to call them back since last Thursday to let them know whether it is ok to put these out or not.
At this point, it's clear I'm not going to make any headway. So I got the name of the store manager, who was out today but back tomorrow, and I told them I would check back again Tuesday. At the very least, I figure I can ask her to call the Hasbro rep back and see what the deal is. I also know one of the employees there who is very knowledgeable about the SW stuff, so I am hoping I will see him and he can help me out somehow.
What a frigging pain in the butt! Part of me just wants to forget about it and wait til August, but the rebellious, stubborn side of me feels like pressing the issue just because the situation seems so absurd on some level.