If you drive around to locally owned (non big chain) shops, some of them put out games as soon as they receive the shipment.  If you have locally owned record stores that is a great place too because a lot of the employees only pay attention to street dates for music, not their games.  I got GTA4, Doom 3 BFG, NBA JAM, Dead Space 2, Undead Nightmare and prob others I am forgetting early this way. GTA 4 I think I got like 4 or 5 days early.  Also, when news hits that street dates have been broken, occasionally even the big stores like Best Buy and Walmart say F it and just start selling it also.  I saw this happen for RE5 and SFIV.

Games are delivered before their street date.

I know. The few times I've seen a game on shelf where I know its before the street date, the register wouldn't allow the associate to sell the game.

So, I just can't get a break in the matter.

I know people who work at the big box places.  They can never sell it early unless street date has been broken by other major retailers and they get the green light.  (which happens on occasion.  I saw it with RE5 and SFIV).  You will only be able to buy it way early from small stores who don't have locks built in place in register.