I haven't been able to play in about 4 days. I try multiple times each day and always get "try again in a few minutes - steam servers too busy" or something like that. I have tried changing my download settings to various locations with the same results. I would like to return this game and get my money back. This Steam stuff really svcks.

Someone here had a similar issue. He/She found a background application was the culprit. Have you tried a clean boot?

clean boot link:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135