What's the fastest way to get a retail game?
 

I don't buy many retail games these days, so I may be a bit out of the loop. I'll be purchasing the Civ 4 expansion (Beyond The Sword) later this month. Will I typically get it faster if I pre-order at a local game store, or online? In other words, do they ship to the online distributors a day or two early so that everyone gets the game at the same time, or do they ship them all at the same time, therefore putting them in retail stores at roughly the same time that online distributors are shipping to customers?

I've found the best bet is to pre-order at your local gaming store.

I've just been burnt on the shipping too many times. I think they're supposed to ship them out early so you get them the same time, but that doesn't seem to work out to well half the time.

I'd pre-order at a local store if it's not too much of a hassle.

I'll second pre-ordering at your local game store.

Usually if you pre-order at a local store you get the game on release day. If you pre-order online they ship on release day.

If you try online most places will make you pay for next day or 2nd day delivery to get it on release day. Even that probably isnt as reliable as a local store.

untrue. Most (reputable) online places ship BEFORE release day. I've recieved games before release from Bestbuy.com, Buy.com, Outpost.com and Amazon.

I've often recieved pre-order stuff two or even three days before its released. They try to ship to make sure that you get it on release day.

Direct 2 Drive? I'm sort of stuck now, since I downloaded Warlords expansion and don't need the CD anymore.

Buy SWMBO some kind of jewelry or the ole coupon for "One free massage expires 7/8/07"