Just spoke to a Verizon rep via chat, and here's a little bit more info I got:
- In California (where I am), the order online and pick up in store option should be available as long as they have it in stock wherever you want to pick it up.
- Very small processing delay with those types of orders, so you should theoretically be able to place the order, print out whatever confirmation they give you and go pick it up in store 15 minutes later.
- The $50 MIR that's in stores should hopefully be an Instant Rebate online, but that may not necessarily be the case. Will just have to see when the order page goes up.
If this is all true, I'm going to check for an order page on Verizon late tonight to see if I can order it and go pick it up in store tomorrow morning. If not, I'll probably head to the Microsoft store near my office in the morning as they do have it in stock, and I still need to get the touch keyboard replaced anyway for my Surface RT.