In the never-ending saga that is the fail whale called AT&T, should you decide that you want to have a shiny new iPhone 4 on Thursday, it’s best that you wait in line at a local Apple store. That’s because AT&T has released their iPhone 4 availability statement, and it’s not that great.

Preordered for home or business delivery: iPhone 4 will begin arriving this week for customers who preordered.  We’ll send an email when each order has shipped.

Preordered for store delivery: AT&T retail representatives will begin calling customers this week to let them know their iPhone 4 is available for pick up in store.

Retail purchase (no preorder): AT&T plans to have iPhone 4 inventory – available on a first-come, first-served basis while supplies last – on June 29 in its retail locations, at www.att.com, and in business sales channels.  As inventory sells out, AT&T will offer the convenient option of purchasing iPhone 4 and having it delivered to a home or business or an AT&T store.  As always, customers will receive an email once their order is placed, and again when it ships.

I know quite a few people who preordered from AT&T on the 15th, and there were tons of problems with the process. Frankly, I’m not even sure all of those orders went through, which may lead to some pissed-off customers on Thursday. But if you didn’t pre order and figured you’d wing it at an AT&T store, well, you’ve got a few more days of waiting ahead of you. June 29th is a week from yesterday so … hope you like waiting.

My iPhone meanwhile, is scheduled for delivery later today. (Insert uncontrollable giggling here.)