Returns Overview
AbeBooks facilitates the return process with links on the Web site and
in e-mail notification and confirmation messages sent to both the book
buyer and bookseller. The
following section outlines the tools and rules for returns on the AbeBooks
Web site.
- The
"Review and Process your Orders" screen
- Each order item has options to [Request
a Refund] or [Review/Update a
Return].
- There is an option to provide "Feedback"
to buyers explaining details of the reason for the return.
- Previously, the Return reason “order accepted
in error” was called “item incorrectly marked as shipped.”
- Buyer
Order Tracking
- Buyers who initiate a return for “item did not
arrive” are displayed the shipping and tracking information with the ability
to contact the bookseller.
- Buyers are able to cancel a refund request that
they have initiated.
For those
items where AbeBooks processes the payment:
- Partial Returns:
Booksellers have the option to refund up to 75% of the book price or 100%
of the shipping cost.
- Refunds for Book
Price only: If a buyer initiates an “item not as described” return,
you have the option to refund the book price and original shipping costs
or the book price and all shipping amounts.
- Schedule processing
of refunds: Booksellers can select when AbeBooks process a refund;
upon receipt of the book or immediately.
- Cancel a refund:
In those instances where a resolution has been met with the buyer, you
have the option to cancel a bookseller-initiated refund.
- Timely completion
of refunds: We will send you a reminder (14 days for domestic orders,
21 days for international orders) after you have initiated the return
to go online and process the refund. If we have not received an update
from you on the return within the next 7 days, we will automatically complete
the return and process the refund.
Types of Returns
On occasion, a refund or return is initiated for an order. AbeBooks
collectively terms refunds and returns as "Returns." Returns
can be initiated by buyers or booksellers for E-commerce orders (those
paid by Visa or MasterCard being processed by AbeBooks). Bookseller
Direct orders (where booksellers process payments themselves) are cancelled
by the bookseller upon request of the buyer or for a reason determined
by the bookseller . In
order to understand and anticipate the processes involved in your return,
you should be aware of the type of return it is:
The AbeBooks returns process requires actions from both the buyer and
the bookseller. The
AbeBooks system facilitates the process through e-mail notifications and
links on our Web sites that take both parties through the process until
a return is completed.
Common Returns Questions
Q. Where
do I go to initiate a return or refund?
Q. How
do I initiate a return if AbeBooks processes credit card payments for
me?
Q. How
do I initiate a return if I process my own credit card payments?
Q. What
are the reasons given for returns?
Q. If
the buyer initiated a return, how do I update/complete the return?
Q. If
I want to refund the buyer only the cost of the book, or part of the shipping,
how do I do that?
Q. If
I ordered a book from another bookseller and need to initiate a return,
what do I do?
Q. If
the buyer initiated a return a return for an item that did not arrive,
but I have tracking information for the package, will the buyer be refunded?
Q. Do
I have to accept returns?