The long story. I tried and tried to get through to the site, failed every time.
So I decided to get off my butt and go visit the 5th Ave store, which I had heard about but never seen.
When I got there, they told me I'd have to use the website. I convinced one of the store people to do it for me, and he was able to reserve me a phone for pickup.
Not too exciting, but still -- I get a phone this week. ">
Questions. Questions. Of course I'd like to be among the first to have the phone, but that's not possible since the home folk are going to have it a day earlier than me.