Updated: From D.C. To L.A., The U.S. Waits For The iPhone A Bit Longer

Everyone thought that the wait for the iPhone 3G was finally over today when it went up for sale in 21 countries around the world, but instead the people who absolutely insisted on buying one today are finding themselves standing in line and having to wait a bit longer. Early this morning, Robert Andrews, the editor from our U.K. sister site, reported that long lines were forming in London, and in other parts as of the world as the clock struck 8 a.m., when most stores anticipated opening.

Los Angeles: We have our own Matt Kapko camped out at several stores trying to get his hands on a phone. I wish I had a GPS tracker on the poor guy because he's on to his third store and still iPhone-less. At 7:15 a.m.?his first attempt of the day?at an AT&T ( NYSE: T) store in the Long Beach neighborhood of Belmont Shores, he found himself one of about 80 others. There he heard early on that there wasn't enough phones for the whole line. He talked to 20-year-old Greg Patterson who had been in line since 9 a.m. yesterday. It was Patterson's second store. "We were originally waiting Tuesday in Palm ( NSDQ: PALM) Springs, when it was 118 degrees, and we decided to drive out here, where it's cooler to wait." Patterson's friend offered to sell his place in line to Matt for $250. Matt passed, and over to a second AT&T Long Beach store. It was there, where there was hope. He waited for about two hours with 70 others, and when he became the 40th person in line, he heard the store had only nine more iPhones. Stay tuned for his third try.

UPDATE: Matt struck out on his fourth and fifth try respectively in Wilmington and Harbor City, where he thought he'd have some luck because there were no lines, but that just meant the stores were completely sold out. Now he's heading over to Manhattan Beach, where there's an Apple ( NSDQ: AAPL) and AT&T store. A quick call to the Apple store revealed that it has a line snaking throughout the entire mall with hundreds still waiting. No word on whether there's enough phones to go around, but it sounds like a good candidate. In addition, the AT&T Manhattan Beach location is also supposed to be stocked. Matt will let us know soon. OK, strike 10. It appears pretty bleak and that Matt may just have to suffer through another day of having the Motorola ( NYSE: MOT) Q9h. The AT&T Manhattan Beach store was sold out, next up the hours-long wait at the Apple store. But is it worth it?

Updates on San Francsico, Washington, D.C. and Seattle after the jump

San Francisco: In San Francisco, the LA Times reported that a cheer erupted when the doors opened at the Apple store on Union Square, where people had spent the night in tents and handed out doughnuts to police officers. Nicholas Panzer, 26, a waiter, arrived at the Apple store at 6 a.m. to be the 151st person in line. The reason to come out early: "I'm guaranteed to get one today." Standing next to him was Scot Peterson, was in line to replace his smashed first-generation iPhone. "Time to get a new one," he said.

Washington, DC: A few enterprising people auctioned off places in line at local Apple stores, reported The Washington Post ( NYSE: WPO). "The new iPhones cost $200 and $300, but that doesn't include the cost of a place in line for those not willing to spend the night standing outside an Apple store." What does it cost? Apparently about $50 to $100, according to Craigslist. A typical read: "I will have the rest of the family stay in line so i will have FOUR (4) extra spots so you dont have to camp out. you give me $75 cash and you will have a spot in line." That's how you can get your own iPhone in a down economy?

Seattle: The line for the iPhone 3G at Seattle's Apple Store in University Village started Thursday night, and this morning reached lengths of about 250 people long, stretching around the parking lot and past the Office Depot, reported The Seattle Times. As 8 a.m. hit, Appl staff started the wave with the line, and pulled back a black curtain to reveal staff in special iPhone shirts, ready to process customers. Seattle had activation problems too, with none of the new iPhone owners able to use their phones.

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