I am not sure what is up with Amazon lately, but I have not been getting my emails telling me when Pre-order items are available. Anyway, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix is now available for pre-order.

Not recommended to purchase this way. I pre-ordered TRANSFORMERS using the super-saver shipping method with my other purchases. Because of this, AMAZON informed, a day or two before the release date (upon my inquiry), that not only would I not get it on the release date, but that it would not even ship for a week after that. This because I did them the service of being able to anticipate their sales projections.

Had I ordered on the day of release, I would have gotten it at least a week and many days earlier and would not have paid some additional cost as well, since they instantly lowered the price anyway from what the pre-order suckers paid.

Lesson learned is: don't do AMAZON any favors and you will come out ahead.

I have always had good luck with pre-orders and free shipping from amazon. I have had many items on or shortly after the release. They have a price-guarantee too, they will give you the lower price if it drops by the release date.