Apple extends in-store pickup to iPhone 5s and iPhone 5cThis was what happened and how Apple did it when the 4S came out. This was how I wound up getting my 4S. It took me about a month of checking the Apple Store in my area for a month after their close of business to check their inventory, Place your order and lock it in. Being off on Sunday I checked on Saturday night, Found what i wanted and walked in on Sunday - half hour later I walked out with my phone. This is a great alternative if you don't want to drive to the store and find out they don't have what you want. Check it out.
Apple extends in-store pickup to iPhone 5s and iPhone 5c | iMore