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Yet I spoke to the Store I'm collecting from this morning and they said there will be one reserved with my Name/Account details on it but would be available for them to sell following day if I didn't collect on the 24th.
 
I am guessing that the line stating that pre-authorization does not guarantee a phone is just legalese to protect them from the unexpected occurring.

For all practical purposes, if you reserved a phone, and show up on launch day - it will be there with your name on it ready for you.
 
Apple store said the same thing to me. My iPhone will not be sold to another person until the following day, so I'm safe to wait until after work to go pick it up.
 
what's the point of reserving something if it's not guaranteed to be there? haha. don't worry guys our phones will be there
 
I am guessing that the line stating that pre-authorization does not guarantee a phone is just legalese to protect them from the unexpected occurring.

For all practical purposes, if you reserved a phone, and show up on launch day - it will be there with your name on it ready for you.

pretty much...
 
Do you have to pay in advance to do this?

no, you don't have to pay anything up front. the only inconvenience really is having to go on-site to get your phone

Be sure to bring these items with you:
• A valid, government-issued photo ID
• Your Social Security number
• A debit or credit card
 
See my signature.

Pre-authorization is not the same as pre-ordering. We went through this BS last year. If you reserved a phone, you have one at the store that is kept in the back with your name on it. They will hold it for you until the close of business on the 24th. If you don't pick it up by then you're SOL. I did this last year and didn't make it to my Apple store until about 7 PM and my phone was still there, even though general sales of the black 32 GB 3GS were already sold out.
 
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