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How do these people get their hands on these 3GS's so early?

Some slipped out early. Supposedly Apple started catching on by reading engadget and forums that people were expecting them early and put a hold on it.

I spoke with a UPS rep yesterday afternoon and she said there is absolutely no hold on the package or notes regarding the package until later when I called back.
 
I thought Apple said the 3Gs was going to have smaller packaging? In the video it looks like the packaging is the same size as before.
 
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