Unlocked iPhone in some Apple Stores only?

Was told in 3 Apple Stores in DC and VA that I cannot purchase an iPhone 5 off-contract at full price.
Then I went to an Apple Store in San Francisco and was told there no problem getting an unlocked iPhone at full price. I inquired from two sales people and got the same answer. One of them even advised me about which one to get for optimal overseas use (verizon). They also said this has been the policy since day 1. They said to line up in the morning because they don't take reservations for off-contract iphone 5 sales. Unfortunately they were out of stock the days I was there.
So my question is: Is there a unified Apple policy on full price / off-contract iPhones? Apple's iPhone web page has fine print that says to talk to a sales person if you don't want a contract. But this only worked in San Francisco. In DC/VA they said Apple isn't selling that way yet. So what is it?
n

Just yesterday I was able to purchase a no commitment (device only), full price, AT&T iPhone 5 in person at my local Apple retail store.  Notice I didn't write unlocked.  After getting it activated at the nearby AT&T kiosk and then later on plugging it to iTunes at home, I received the congratulatory message that the device is now unlocked.   Very happy about this.   By the way I am still under contract with AT&T so I am assuming that my old iphone may remain locked until the contract expires.  Have to ask AT&T about it.  

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    linzarella wrote:
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    Dear sir
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