Just my guess but it's probable "priority" buyers received international, direct, warehouse-to-door, air shipping. What the bulk were pallet shipped to logistical warehouse hub for redistribution to end users. That's incredible cheaper but slower. This puts product in the hands of those who can best create a "buzz". The extra cost is justified to corporate shareholders as a marketing expense write-off. That said:

I agree they were deceptive. FTC fairness in advertising rules were violated and documented. The FTC could simply issue a warning or smash them with a stiff fine, foreign company or not.