As I understand it, pre-ordering in the US (which is the majority of users on this site I'm assuming?) works pretty different from how it works here.
When I go and pre-order a game, I walk into the store and tell the guy working there I want to pre-order, say, GTAV for PS4. He'll add my order in his PC and I walk out the door. No payments or anything. Then, whenever they are allowed to sell the game, he sends out a text to my phone saying my order is in stock and ready for pick up. I have 7 days to come pick it up. I usually go immediately as the store is within walking distance, pay for the game (which is the exact same price everyone else pays) and go home.
I rarely have to pre-order a game though. The only case where it was needed was GTAV on 360 when it first released. I could pick up a copy of GTAV on PS4 without pre-ordering. I usually only pre-order stuff when I want to play it really, really badly and don't want to take any chances, or if it's concerning a Limited Edition of some kind.
All in all, there is no reason not to pre-order. It doesn't cost anything. That said, you mostly don't need to either. Pre-order bonusses are often just given to me on vouchers when I buy the game even if I didn't pre-order it.
I do have to point out the store I go to is extremely awesome though. They appreciate my business and like to show it. They often offer me free posters or whatever, or sell new games € 5 cheaper than elsewhere. Or they go the extra mile in having a certain older game I want sent over from one of their other stores, free of charge.
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