TaskRabbit, a local delivery service that will get you (almost!) anything you want in the city, has an offer than many Apple fanboys and fangirls can't refuse. In San Francisco, Palo Alto and New York City, TaskRabbit will hire a person to wait in line for you on iPhone 5 launch day (9/21) to get you the latest Apple gadgetry. This way, as your hired body creeps closer to the front of the line, all you have to do is head to the store and switch places at the right time.
If you want a stand-in, visit their iPhone 5 Product Page, select the Apple store nearest you, click "Buy Now," and voila. A TaskRabbit rep will contact you within 48 hours and, come September 21, have their spot in line for up to four hours.
This will, of course, be of no interested to the sheep of San Francisco who love waiting in line. But for those of you who can afford it, give it a try.
Pst, you can also just walk into the Apple Store (or your wireless carrier of choice) much later in the day to purchase the phone too. It's been working great for us year after year.