<a name="Question9">Can mail-order merchants charge my card before they ship?</a>
According to Janet Hug of Visa USA, "a merchant is not permitted to bill ahead of time" except in case of a deposit or down payment that the customer agrees to. (phone call from Visa USA, 12 May 1992)

MasterCard said in a letter that a merchant can charge you before shipment only if s/he tells you and you agree to "the terms and conditions of the sale."</p> American Express said the merchant can charge your card as soon as you give your account number; but if you receive the bill before the merchandise, call Amex customer service and you don't have to pay while they investigate. (phone call to Amex, 16 May 1992)

ref: http://www.creditinfocenter.com/cards/crcd_buy.shtml

I wonder if anything changed since they determined this information.<br type="_moz"/>