A new policy change for the Nintendo Switch Eshop means that players now have the option of cancelling pre-orders. As Vooks points out, the previous rule was that Eshop pre-orders would be charged right away, and there was no way to recover those funds if you changed your mind. Now, pre-orders do not charge until shortly before release.
An update to the Nintendo support page details the change, linking to a guide on how to cancel pre-orders. This can be done through your browser or the Switch itself, and can be done up until the game is available for preload--typically seven days before the game is released.
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This seems to be a change made internationally, affecting the Eshop in every country.
When pre-ordering a game, you'll be told the planned preload date, on which you'll be charged.
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As Vooks points out, your pre-orders will also be cancelled if you change the region of the account you pre-ordered through before the game's release. Existing pre-orders also will not be refunded, so this is the plan going forward, but not retroactively.
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