Return of the Straight Dope: Still More from the Popular Newspaper Column

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Sellers are required to accept returns, when initiated within 30 days of the estimated delivery date, for all reasons under AbeBooks' Return Policy. Refund amounts are based on the return reason. If the return reason cannot be determined, the minimum required refund amount is equal to the item price. Charging a restocking fee for any return is strictly prohibited.

Definitions of Return Reasons and Corresponding Reimbursement Amounts:

'Buyer Does Not Want Item' Orders Placed on AbeBooks.com:

The seller is not required to accept a return for this reason and may choose to cancel the return request.
The return is considered to be accepted unless cancelled by the seller within two business days.
If a return is cancelled more than two business days after it was initiated, AbeBooks will re-initiate the return on behalf of the buyer.
The buyer is refunded the item price only.
'Buyer Does Not Want Item' Orders Placed on AbeBooks.co.uk, AbeBooks.de, AbeBooks.fr, AbeBooks.it, ZVAB.com, or IberLibro.com:

Sellers are required to accept all returns, including those for 'Buyer does not want item', for orders placed on these domains.
The buyer is refunded the item price plus original shipping.
'Item Did Not Arrive':

Buyers can initiate a refund for 'Item did not arrive' within 30 days after an order's estimated delivery date.
Sellers are responsible for the item until it is received by the buyer. Only signature delivery confirmation will protect a seller against claims of non-delivery.
The buyer is refunded the item price plus original shipping.
'Item Was Damaged':

Item was damaged in transit.
The buyer is refunded the item price, original shipping, plus return shipping equal to the original shipping or the equivalent to the standard shipping on free shipping orders.
'Item Not as Described':

The buyer claims the item they received does not match the description on AbeBooks.
Sellers must accept all Item Not as Described returns. However:
If the seller disagrees, the buyer is refunded the item price, plus original shipping, but not return shipping.
If the seller agrees, the buyer is refunded the item price, original shipping, plus return shipping equal to the original shipping or the equivalent to the standard shipping on free shipping orders.
'Incorrect Item Delivered':

The item sent to the buyer was not the item the buyer ordered.
The buyer is refunded the item price, original shipping, plus return shipping equal to the original shipping or the equivalent to the standard shipping on free shipping orders.
'Order Accepted in Error':

After processing an order, the seller finds the order cannot be fulfilled, i.e. the item’s condition is not as described on AbeBooks, or the item was previously sold.
The buyer is refunded the item price plus original shipping.
'Buyer Cancelled Before Shipping':

The buyer requests cancellation of the order after it has been processed but prior to shipping.
The buyer is refunded the item price plus original shipping.
'Partial Refund':

The buyer and seller have agreed to a partial refund amount. The buyer is refunded only the amount specified.
Sellers are not refunded commission or payment service fees on partial refunds.
Sellers cannot issue a partial refund that is greater than 75% of the total order value.
All returns, regardless of payment method, are subject to the return policies as outlined above, and must be processed via the AbeBooks online system. Failure to process a refund for a returned item is strictly prohibited. All refunds must be issued via the same payment method originally used to pay for the order.

Sellers are also required to provide a refund in cases where an item is unclaimed, returned due to an incomplete address, returned to sender, or similar reason. Any seller found to have received returns for which no refund has been issued, and/or no resolution attempt made, is subject to suspension or termination of selling privileges.

Reporting a Missing Shipment:

When a return has been initiated by the buyer, it is the responsibility of the seller to report a missing shipment online if they don’t receive the item back within 28 days of initiation for domestic orders, or 77 days for international orders.

The timeline for reporting a Missing Shipment is as follows:

14 days after the return is initiated, the [Notify AbeBooks of Missing Shipment] button is available in the seller's Return screen.
At 21 days the seller will receive an e-mail reminder of the outstanding return.
For domestic orders, at 28 days the return will automatically complete if not already completed by the seller and if no missing shipment has been reported.
For international orders, at 77 days the return will automatically complete if not already completed by the seller and if no missing shipment has been reported.
When a missing shipment is reported, AbeBooks Customer Support will contact the buyer to ask for tracking information. If tracking information is not provided, the return is cancelled. We recommend that sellers wait at least 21 days before notifying AbeBooks of a missing shipment in order to allow the book adequate time to arrive.

Return Dispute Resolution:

All return disputes are to be handled between the seller and buyer. Returns should be processed online once a resolution is reached. AbeBooks does not participate in dispute negotiations, but sellers must act in accordance with all AbeBooks policies, guidelines, and the Seller Agreement, or risk termination of selling privileges from the AbeBooks websites.

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