just spoke with a customer service rep at Apple's Online store help number (1-800-MYAPPLE) Was told that the Apple online and retail stores are just providing the phones and will have nothing to do with activation. As for sale time at the online store, 6 PM local time also goes, even though i do not know how this would work because how would Apple know what time zone you are in while logging on their online store, but hey take it for what it is worth.