Table of Contents
Pre-ordering digital media can be exciting as you get your hands on it right on the release date.
That being said, a scenario can arise where you pre-order something but change your mind later and want to get it refunded.
Quick Summary
In this post, we will expand upon how pre-orders work on Amazon and how you can cancel them if you wish to.
Let’s get started.
Can You Cancel Pre-Orders on Amazon?
Yes, you can easily cancel digital pre-orders on Amazon before the release date.
If it’s a digital pre-order, then you don’t have to worry at all. As long as you cancel the order before the release date, you will be fully refunded for your order.
On the other hand, if you’ve pre-ordered a physical copy, then things get a little tricky.
The physical copy is shipped out to you so that it reaches your residence on the release date. If the physical copy has already been shipped out to you, then you won’t be able to cancel your pre-order.
However, if the physical copy hasn’t been shipped yet, then you can cancel it and receive a full refund.
You can also mail the physical copy back to the seller for a full refund. Depending on the seller, there may or may not be a restocking fee.
How to Cancel Pre-Orders on Amazon?
It’s fairly simple to cancel your pre-orders on Amazon.
Just follow these steps:
Step 1: Log into your Amazon account.
Step 2: Click on Returns & Orders in the top-right section of the Amazon home page as shown below:
Step 3: If your pre-order is a digital order, then go to your Digital Orders tab as shown below. If it’s a pre-order for a physical copy, then click on the Not Yet Shipped tab:
Step 4: Locate the pre-order that you want to cancel. Please note that if you made the pre-order over 3 months ago, then you’ll have to change it to an older period from the drop-down menu.
Step 5: Once you’ve located the order, click the check box next to the pre-ordered item and then, select Cancel Items.
When Does Amazon Charge My Card for Pre-Orders?
Amazon does not immediately charge your card when you pre-order an item.
Instead, Amazon verifies your card as being authentic and then saves your data until the release date is near.
Typically, Amazon charges your card for a pre-order 2 – 3 days before the item is set to be released.
This is because if there’s some trouble with the payment, then you have enough time to fix the issue so that your pre-order still goes through.
Price Fluctuations and Pre-Orders
Leading up to a highly anticipated movie or video game’s release, its price can fluctuate right up to the release date.
Considering the fluctuation of prices, many consumers are confused about what exactly they’ll have to pay for.
Amazon bases its pricing structure on information provided by the manufacturer. However, this can change drastically before the release date.
So, what will you pay if the price changes?
Well, if the price of the item drops but your card has not been charged yet, then Amazon will charge you the lower price when the time comes.
If Amazon has already charged your card but the price drops later (but before the release date), then Amazon will refund you the difference. This difference will be issued to you in your Amazon account.
However, if the price of the item rises, then you will only pay the initial, lower price that was offered when you first made the pre-order.
Will I Receive My Pre-Ordered Physical Copy on the Release Date?
Yes.
Amazon ensures this by starting the shipping process for your physical copy a few days before the release date. This is supposed to be perfectly timed so that you receive the physical copy on its actual release date. Please note that this happens when you opt for release date delivery.
If you opted for a free method of shipping via Amazon, then there’s a chance you may receive the product a few days after the actual release date.
In the case of digital media, Amazon makes the download for it available to you on the release date.
Can I Pre-Order Games a Day Before They Come Out?
In most cases, you cannot do so. This is especially true if you’re pre-ordering a physical copy because, by that point, the shipping for pre-orders has already started.
For most digital media that is available for pre-order, the period during which you can pre-order is specified.
The period usually closes a few days before the release date of the item.
That being said, in some cases, it is possible to pre-order a game just a day before its release date. Some game developers are more generous when it comes to the pre-ordering period than others.
Is it Cheaper to Pre-Order Games?
In most cases, it is not cheaper to pre-order games unless the developer specifies that they’re selling them at a discounted price on the release date.
The benefit of pre-ordering a highly anticipated movie or video game is that you can play it right on the day it’s released and be a part of something special.
However, if you’re looking to get games cheap, then it can be a good idea to wait a bit. Most games usually become cheaper a few months after they are released.
Wrapping Things Up…
So that’s how you can cancel a pre-order on Amazon.
We hope we were able to help you achieve a better understanding of how pre-orders work on Amazon and how you can take full advantage of them.
What do you think of pre-orders on Amazon? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
