Turns out the best way to get immediate attention is to email their exec board and explain the problem (obviously if after going through the regular channels you have no success).
I was contacted by a member of their executive support team who put through the order for my warranty in less than 24 hours for 135 (a little more than the quote online, but its fine, i can deal with that, I couldnt deal w/ the quote for 250ish.
All in all, yay Dell Corporate, Boo 1st and 2nd tier support
