Preorder How does it work?

The set was already delivered and is sold out. They (MTH) had 5 sets remaining in December 2020:

https://ogrforum.com/...ore-it-s-too-late-14

lets just change that example to something new and has to be pre ordered like 20-40080 or just any pre order item.

Many dealers take a small deposit, some don't .  Shop around to see which dealers do and don't.  I would not use any dealer that wants payment in full up front.

Make sure the dealer gives you a receipt that says they ordered it. My favorite dealer "forgot" to order something for me and I found out after the fact that Lionel was sold out. No apology, no trying to find it, just tough luck.

Fortunately, I found it myself from another dealer.

I for the most part only purchase on pre-order from sellers that do not require deposits.  While I understand that there are buyers who do not fulfill their pre-order obligations, I did do a pre-order from a LHS where the owner "forgot" my $120 down payment when the product arrived.  I had to go home, find my receipt and then he only gave me store credit.  Needless to say, I never shopped at that LHS again. 

I have two cars from one of the forum sponsors that I put $10 down on each for some Atlas (former MTH) passenger cars.  That doesn't bother me too much. 

My part time employer 3rd Rail does not require a deposit.  The product always sells out even if buyers do back out.

@DunningStation posted:

So I'm guessing that if you find something you want to buy from a retailer and it shows " preorder" you place the order, pay for it and then just wait. Considering I'm primarily shopping for MTH products that probably means it's going to be a long wait and are you even sure it's being made? Also I have found a set of passenger cars I would like to buy  [ 20-64173] that their website said was delivered December of 2020. The only hit for that part  number is on their website, meaning I guess no one has it yet. Is it a roll of the dice that you're actually get what you ordered?

I buy mostly from Mr. Muffin's because he's local and has an excellent online store, compared to many of the other sponsors here. Most places don't require any upfront payment, but some might want a deposit. Mr. Muffin's, for example, DOES NOT require any deposit whatsoever. You simply pre-order online, and then you'll be invoiced at a later date when the item has arrived and is ready to ship to you. Once you pay, then the item will be shipped.

I recommend placing pre-orders for anything you want or might want. You usually get special pricing by doing so. If you pre-order something, and decide you don't want it later, you can cancel it. The shop will just sell it to someone else at a higher price.

@RoyBoy posted:

Make sure the dealer gives you a receipt that says they ordered it. My favorite dealer "forgot" to order something for me and I found out after the fact that Lionel was sold out. No apology, no trying to find it, just tough luck.

Fortunately, I found it myself from another dealer.

Yeah, I'd feel the same way, if that happened to me.

I'm wary of shops that only accept pre-orders via telephone or email, but I've done it a few times when they're doing a custom run of something I want. I've not been bitten by doing so, yet, but it's always better to make pre-orders online, in my humble opinion.

You may also want to consider, especially if you've put down a deposit, to discuss and confirm with the dealer via e-mail that if the product is not delivered by a certain date (say, 1 year or whatever your tolerance level is) that you can cancel and get your full deposit back.

Several of our forum sponsors do not require a deposit. Last year I ordered the Lionel Lionchief Space Launch set from Charles Ro on pre-order. No deposit needed. My credit card was not charged until they shipped the set in January.

Just order what you want and they'll notify you when it comes in.

Some pre-orders may offer a discount for early buy.