Pre-launch pricing is a gamble, not a discount

I just got possession of my 2BHK on Sohna Road from MRG World last month, and honestly, the 'early bird' advantage felt minimal. The final price, after all the PLC and hidden charges, wasn't much better than what friends paid later. Is it just me, or do builders make up for pre-launch discounts with other fees? Did anyone actually get a significantly better deal buying early for a 3BHK around Sector 70-90? Or is it smarter to wait for spot discounts near completion?