So I can buy at Meijers/Gamestop right now and play? Not with Steam though?

...Is that true?

.... Refund?

I don't think you can validate it until Steam unlocks it at the ascribed and assigned time. Sorry.

There is a discussion about it here:
http://www.gamesas.com/index.php?/topic/1122140-cannot-install-fallout-3-new-vegas/