When I pre-ordered (in Canada) it said delivers by 28 May. Until last night it said ships by 7 June. Now it says ships June - so it looks like the date is going to be moved out again. I think it will be quite a while before the stores start being able to get hold of these to sell.
You won't really know until it actually ships out and get the tracking number. From my experience stateside, my iPad arrived a day earlier than what the tracking number stated through FedEx. Just a heads up if you plan on being off either day (before or on estimated day of delivery).
Mine also arrived a day earlier than stated. Just keep an eye on the tracking status and you will know when it is at your Fed Ex station and when it is on the truck out for delivery.
My iPad was supposed to ship by May 7th, but I actually received it on the 7th, so the date they give is just an estimate
I really think ship times are going to get longer, now that the rest of the world has been added to the queue. They got back up selling a million here in the US, and the factory is apparently already working at full capacity. There's no way they're not going to fall behind after the 28th.
Stores will have them on the 28th as a certain amount were pre-allocated for the launch. It is how long before they are sold out that is the real question. We now expect to see lines world wide outside Apple stores on the 27th and 28th.
I was in Best Buy in Nanaimo yesterday and was informed that they will have a full selection of iPads available on Friday morning as will Future Shop. There is no expectation that there will be a line-up a the door on Friday morning as they have had very few inquiries about the iPad? I'll be picking up my iPad on Friday morning.
I bet be be up early then on the 27th/28th (next week) in case the delivery comes early hehe. (UK) Today like today would have been perfect for the ipad. 28C sunny BBQ in Garden and getting to no my ipad. hehe.