I don't think the authors issue is with the Mail Order Rule, but instead card processing networks. Visa and MasterCard will allow you to authorize cards for a

I don't think the authors issue is with the Mail Order Rule, but instead card processing networks. Visa and MasterCard will allow you to authorize cards for a pre-order (actually for any transaction, they don't care if it is a pre-order ot not), and then finalize the purchase when you ship. They do not allow you to use finalized funds as a business loan.