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[Gimp]

Yep, that box had Xavier in it.  They sold all their inventory of him and Kirsten before I got into the store today.

Check with the store, and see if they can specifically order, or at least hold models for you when they come in.
 
I've gotten every Anima model as soon as it hit the local stores because they immediately set one aside for me.  They order knowing I'll be getting them.
 
That way I get them as soon as they're here, and I support the local stores that give us places to play and point out new games they think I'll like. 
 
I wouldn't have known about Anima without the store manager pointing it out back when the game first came out.

[Cadfan]

I used to do that, but I've since realized that I shouldn't.  For three reasons.

First, they don't tell me when my orders come in.  I only know if I go in to the store and look anyways.  Second, once I've ordered something, my expectations are raised.  Its a lot easier on me in terms of frustration if I haven't ordered the miniature, especially when release dates get missed.  Third, I travel between two major cities in my state quite frequently, and pass by a local gaming store in each one when I do.  So I've ended up in situations where the more local one, the one with the delayed box opening, hasn't got what I want- but the one in the state capital does.  If I preorder I feel guilty canceling it and buying from the second store.

Mostly, though, its just the negativity.  If I'm told that a miniature will be released in May, and I preorder it in April so that I can be sure to get it in May, and then after repeatedly checking with the store over the course of May it doesn't come in until the end of June, I start feeling a whole lot of negativity towards the store, the distributor, and the company who's miniature I ordered.  Someone misled me, and it makes me angrier the more I dwell on it.  So now I do what I can not to dwell.

[Gimp]

Not a fun store to deal with, then.  A good FLGS is a wonderful treasure.
 
I keep my expectations simple, and have good people to help.  They order one extra, without me asking, because they know I'm interested.  When it comes in, they call me.  Since the models sell, they don't expect me to buy them if I don't want them, or even simply want to wait to buy (I haven't turned one down yet, but they always check after I've looked at them).
 
I don't look at expected release dates, because I've been dealing with game companies too long for that (usually better than Blizzard, but not always).  When people start talking about models shipping on the forum, I start checking Alliance's online site.  Once that shows the models available, I know they should be in within two weeks.