We absolutely encourage the process of pre-ordering "Coming Soon" items, because it hedges your bet. You have a better chance of actually getting an item if you pre-order it now (first come, first served - some exceptions apply). You don't even have to PAY now if paying via credit card. We won't charge your credit card until an item is ready to ship.
Our systems automatically fill retail orders on a FIRST COME, FIRST SERVED basis (some exceptions apply). We don't "allocate" products (allocate is a dirty word in this industry that means shipping products to other people before we ship to you... regardless of when you or they ordered).
If you ordered an item when it was first posted on our website, you are FAR more likely to receive it than if you order the same item today. And if you wait until a later date to order the item, you might never get it at all because it may not ever come in stock. That's because your fellow collectors and gift purchasers have pre-ordered every single piece of an item we might be getting. (This is called "PRE-SOLD OUT.")
Don't let that happen to you! Don't be left out! Pre-order now!