I too, always practice CYA when it comes to pre-ordered figures and still try to hunt them down.
After all, if I find them at retail before my pre-ordered case arrives, I usually sell my extras on-line )once the case arrives) to help my poor Canadian neighbors or otherwise figure-less brethren. After all, Canadians need love too, eh?
Worst case, I can always return the figures using the receipt from the store from which I bought them. I'm really not out anything.
Jeff
ps.
I pre-ordered the Yavin case from NewForce and received it in Mid-March. I just about fell over when Rick and the boys got something before EE! It's been a while since that happened... Hasbro musta been in a good mood that day.