Hey bud, doubtful this will help but I'm throwing out there.
A buddy of mine loves his iPhone but doesn't care about the whole pre-order / reservation business.
He wants to know if an item (in this case an iPhone) is out
He wants to go to the store right then and there
He wants to buy it on the spot.
Needless to say, for the last 2 iPhone's, he literally just walked into his local AT&T store on Day 1 and bought it. No reservation, no pre-order, no prior phone call.
The other option is perhaps Walmart. No reservation system. First come, first server on day 1.
Anyways, GL bud. I hope you get it on Day 1.