Sadly i don't know how to pay money on the internet, so i buy games on game stores.
So yeah, do you pre-order your game or buy your game to the game store???~ ( = w =)/
If I'm short on cash I usually wait awhile until the inevitable price drop. If the bonuses are good enough to make a difference/worth collecting I usually go with a pre-order.
If the price is right, and if I'm looking forward to it. I always go for the special edition from certain companies as well, such as something published by XSEED, Aksys, NISA or Atlus. Although I almost always pre-order online, because it's a pain getting a ride to a store, and walking or biking is a no.
I have never pre-ordered one game in my entire life. In fact I usually do the opposite. I usually wait almost 2 years until I get the game so the price is lower. 2 years for Reach, and I borrowed my friends copy of Black Ops for the Summer.
I never used to pre-order. But then I got into college, and actually had freedom to go to Gamestop by myself (It was close enough to walk to). Since then, I've preorded Battlefield 3, Skyrim, Skyward Sword, and now Halo 4. I love midnight releases.