It is really nice that BB does the number thing, that is why they are usually my first choice on BF. The only thing you have to remember is that once you make your choice you are stuck with it example: last year the Emachine had the choice of monitor or no monitor. I chose without the monitor. The guy next to me chose with the monitor. When we got into the store he had changed his mind but he was out of luck, all the tickets had been given out and since they match your ticket with your computer already there is no way to change. Of course he then had the option to not take it at all but heck for the price who would want to miss out.
On the subject of stores opening earlier I do not see why it is really a problem. When the line is already a mile long and the people up front have been there since 2:00 am, opening half an hour earlier shouldnt make too much difference. The people who are rushing over from another store would be all the way at the end of the line anyways. Now if BB would just figure out that they should let only a certain amount of people in the store at a time like toysRus does I would be one happy shopper.