For a decent while at least with games they took payment on or very soon after a preorder was made, I know they used to always just wait until around just before dispatch but around the time Brexit legislation was coming into effect they definitely charged early. My last few preorders (not that I've had many of late) were the same too. Only orders that weren't affected for me were orders for items that you could order but that weren't due to be back in stock for a time.
Games are not DVD/Blu-ray Film/TV releases and are totally different products
Games are not Films releases on Home Media
Reason why payment was taken straight away for some games releases is many customers with video games orders used to claim pre-order bonuses such as beta codes and so on, intending to cancel the order before release.
As in getting pre-order bonuses for free by cancelling their order before release date that's fraud
Have you not used Amazon previously a lot for Films and TV home media releases on DVD and Blu-ray always been payment is taken only when ready for dispatch
Amazon UK never take payment straight away when you pre order a film on Blu-ray u
nless you happen to do a pre order 1-3 days before release date or the item you ordering is in stock ready to be dispatched
I have been using Amazon UK since 2006 and never ever had payment taken straight away for a Film on DVD or Blu-ray that I pre orderd weeks or months in advance as in Amazon is the seller
Payment always only taken 1-3 days before release date and sometimes was not until after release date
A Monday release date most times it's Saturday or Sunday when payment is taken with very rare occasion have payment taken on a Friday
A friday that still in the timeframe of 1-3 days before release date
Third Party sellers that sell pre order items don't count as that's not amazon as the seller