Best Buy does not charge your credit card immediately when you place a pre- order. Instead, they perform an authorization hold on your card at the time of the pre-order to confirm your payment method. This is a temporary hold that usually lasts a few days and then is released. The actual charge to your credit card happens only when the item ships or is ready for store pickup. However, there is an exception for pre-orders placed using PayPal—these orders are charged immediately upon placing the pre-order. In summary:
- For credit card payments, Best Buy places a temporary authorization hold at pre-order, but the full charge happens only when the item ships or is ready for pickup.
- For PayPal payments, Best Buy charges the full amount immediately at the time of the pre-order.
- The temporary authorization hold is released back to your account usually within a few days if the item hasn't shipped yet.
This policy helps ensure your payment is valid but doesn't charge you upfront until the product is on its way to you.
