Pre-purchase
The act of acquiring something—whether a product, service, or right—prior to its official release, availability, or widespread public access. This typically involves a commitment to buy based on limited information or early access, often in exchange for a benefit like a lower price, guaranteed delivery, exclusive content, or priority access. Pre-purchases rely on trust and anticipation, and the success depends on the fulfillment of promises associated with the product or service.
Pre-purchase meaning with examples
- Gamers frequently pre-purchase highly anticipated video games. This allows them to download the game as soon as it launches and often includes bonus in-game items. For example, many players pre-purchased Cyberpunk 2077 before its release, eager to experience the futuristic open-world environment and storyline, despite some initial controversies about the game's quality at launch.
- Movie studios often enable pre-purchase of tickets weeks or even months before the premiere date. This benefits both the studio, who gain insights into audience demand, and the viewer, who can reserve preferred seats. The recent pre-purchases for the Barbie movie demonstrated this, with fans booking tickets to the premiere in advance and the box office breaking records.
- Many music artists now offer fans the chance to pre-purchase an album and receive immediate access to a single or two as an early preview. Artists will release tracks for pre-purchase often to drive up pre-orders and generate excitement prior to the album drop date. This strategy also boosts initial sales numbers. Taylor Swift's albums often have pre-purchases.
- Real estate developers allow potential buyers to pre-purchase a house or apartment unit before construction is completed. This grants the buyer the ability to secure a home in a desirable location, and frequently at a lower price. However, it carries risks if construction is delayed or the final product doesn't meet expectations. Often, these will be the most affordable properties.
