I think I might just buy mine at HMV on the day it's released. I don't want to be stuck waiting for the CD to arrive a few days after!
If it doesn't arrive in the post, I am absolutely doing that. And giving the spare to charity or something. Save it as a birthday present?
I usually don't pre-order, as:
a. I don't like to be at the mercy of the Post Office. It might be less convenient, but if I go down to the shop myself, I'm in control, and won't be worrying about when it's going to arrive.
b. I find the trek down to HMV infinitely more exciting than the wait for the postman.
I bought both of the last two albums in the shop, but for some reason I got really carried away and wanted to put my stake in the ground very early, this time around. I think I saw the "[CD+DVD]" box-set added to Play.com before we even knew what the DVD consisted of and thought "oh I am going loco down in acapulco and
nobody can stop me." Plus, I wanted the low-price guarantee.
Which, as a guarantee, will be fairly hollow if it's delivered late, 'cause I'll pay twice the price anyway, but I help the album's chart standings very slightly, and sometimes the pre-orders arrive early, so hey! Got the Resistance a full weekend ahead of schedule. James LaBrie's Elements of Persuasion two days early, too. So it's a nice punt.