I've pre-ordered a lot of software, especially games. My money was always taken out when I ordered it not when it shipped. I understood that I was ordering a copy before it was available, thus PRE-ORDER. I was not RESERVING a copy which is what I do at say Blockbuster or Hastings when I go through them which is rare cause they're slow. I don't know if their is a federal law as was suggested above, if so someone may want to inform the game makers. :)