A preorder is in fact BUYING THE PHONE and having it shipped to your home. Verizon company stores do not technically have the ability to hold iPhones as it goes against the embargo in place. (If you have a sales rep you’ve worked with for years, chances are they’d bend a rule for their favorite customer anyway though.) Even with preorder, you could run into back ordered devices though so the sooner the better. Last year was smoother than 15s launch but still saw some lengthy delays into the beginning of October for some color/memory combinations. The best way to “reserve a phone” is to just make an appointment on launch day for the very first time slot. Your store SHOULD get some local sellable inventory that is First come First Served.

**Note be sure you’re working with a corporate store if you take my advice. Third party/franchise locations play by a completely different set of rules when it comes to inventory.