Does Target Charge For Preorders – Here’s How It Works!

Preordering is becoming more and more of a norm for all kinds of goods. New albums, books, movies, and TV shows are all starting to offer preorder windows where people can place an order ahead of the actual release to get the product as soon as possible.

Preordering might be the only way to ensure you get the item during its initial release with some kinds of preorders, like gaming consoles. With more and more goods selling out at or shortly after release, a preorder can ensure you don’t end up sitting on a waiting list for your products to be manufactured and shipped.

In today’s world of widespread manufacturing and supply chain disruption, having some security that you’ll get an item in its first production run can make a big difference.

Like many other retailers, Target is capitalizing on this new market by offering preorders for a wide range of goods, sometimes with guarantees that if you preorder before a certain point, you will get the item on release.

But when are Target customers charged for their preorders? Should you budget for the cost when you order? Should you ensure you have the money in your account before the product is released?

Here’s what you need to know about Target preorder charges, when to expect them, and when you should expect the items you’ve ordered.

When Does Target Charge For Preorders?

Target charges the same base cost for most preorders as other retailers. In some cases, customers may get a discount by preordering. Still, you might have to pay a preorder premium at other times if the manufacturer is worried about having enough products to meet demands.

Fortunately, when you preorder, you don’t have to pay upfront and wait for the item to ship weeks or even months later.

Target only charges customers for preordered goods when the item is ready to ship or, in some cases, just before the item ships. So you shouldn’t see a preorder charge on your account until just a few days before you have your items in hand.

Can You Cancel A Target Preorder?

Preorders are a great innovation in getting goods from retailers, but they can also be complicated. If you have an unexpected expense or increase in living costs between when you order a product and when it actually arrives, you could find yourself in a tricky financial situation.

If finances are tight, you might want to cancel a preorder and decide that you can wait for the release date or the second or third product runs to get it.

But with some preorder companies, you can’t cancel. Is Target one of them?

Thankfully, no. Target will let you cancel preorders at any point until the package has been processed for shipment, just like any other online order through Target.

So rest assured, if your financial situation changes and you need to cancel a preorder, Target will let you do exactly that as long as the item isn’t already on its way.

Do Target Preorders Arrive On Release Day?

One of the big advantages of preordering through some companies is that you can get the items on release day, just like if you had gone to the store and spent hours waiting for the doors to open so you could get a release day copy.

If you’ve ever tried to snag an in-store games console or waited outside a bookstore for the midnight Harry Potter releases, you know how much time and effort preordering can save.

But not all companies can fulfill orders on the same day as the release, depending on their deals with manufacturers and shipping companies.

Unfortunately, when it comes to Target, there is a bit of a mixed bag in terms of release day delivery.

Target customers who live in qualifying areas receive automatic express shipping for all preorders, which means they may get the item on release day. However, depending on the area and the shipping service that serves your address, you might not get your item for another 24 hours or so.

So, Target preorders are delivered faster than any other kind of order with Target, and Express Shipping costs are included in the preorder price. But, they don’t necessarily guarantee same-day shipping, and people living in more remote areas may not be eligible for the faster Express Shipping service.

What’s The Difference Between Express Shipping And Arriving On Release Day?

Express Shipping simply means that the item will arrive faster even than Target’s two-day delivery window for expedited shipping on other orders.

When your item actually arrives depends on a few different factors, including when it’s delivered to the store and what shipping provider Target is using in your area. If Target stores get the preordered item delivered before the release day, you might get your product the same day as the release.

However, if Target doesn’t get the product until release day, or if you live further from their local distribution centers, you might have to wait a little longer for the delivery.

So, when you preorder through Target, you aren’t guaranteed release-day delivery, but you are guaranteed to receive the item within 48 hours as long as you live in an express delivery covered area.

Remember, Target doesn’t have its own shipping service, so if you don’t live somewhere that gets regular shipping and deliveries, you might not get the items as quickly.

Does Target Have Fast Shipping?

Overall, Target offers relatively fast shipping to most areas.

Depending on the order, whether you ordered faster shipping (and paid extra to get your items delivered sooner) or if the order you placed was put on a backlog, you should receive your items within two days to a week of ordering.

You might have noticed that that’s a relatively wide window for delivery, but it’s rather good compared to older shipping speeds. It’s important to remember that Target isn’t Amazon; they don’t have a shipping empire made of strategically placed shipping and distribution centers that can handle a wide range of product orders and process packages for shipping at lightning speeds.

Some Target customers might be frustrated by the fact that the retailer doesn’t offer same-day deliveries (yet), but their shipping turnaround is still pretty impressive–especially considering the wide range of goods Target offers.

If you really need something the same day, consider looking to see if it’s in stock and eligible for a pick-up order at your local Target store.