Quote ="Ten Years On"316 days after I ordered them, my tickets for Sunday's game have finally arrived - along with tickets for some other World Cup games which I ordered only 4 days ago!! I believe Ticketmaster is responsible for processing orders. Would love to know what their 'system' is . . .'"
The system is too sit on your money.... leaving it in the bank before processing means that they maximise interest on your money.
If for some reason there is a cancellation, they keep your interest!
And paying a year in advance doesn't guarantee you a ticket either. They can refund you instead and still keep your interest!