Do you think “how to return an audible book”? Well, Audible has a return policy that allows its subscribers to return or exchange audiobooks that they have problems with. Some people tend to purchase a book on the spur of the moment, and a few chapters in, they decide the stories are not for them.
If you don’t like parting with your money (Audible credits), this service is conveniently designed for you. You can return a book or exchange titles you purchased in error if you feel unhappy with a book or don’t think you will ever listen to it. Then you’ll get a credit refund within 365 days.
The intent of this service is to encourage listeners to discover their favorite writer, voice, or story in audio form. While subscribers may find returning audiobooks fair and part of the core service they pay for monthly, the return policy is highly controversial on the publisher’s front.
Recently,audiobook creators had protested against the audiobook subsidiary from Amazon. The reason for the much-publicized outrage was that they found out the company has been deducting the cost from writers’ royalties once users return titles.
Writers cited “alarmingly high rates of return, from 15%-50% or more of lost sales over time,” even as the audiobook market is currently booming. Authors were unaware of the enormity of their returns because Audible only supplies net figures without showing returns separately. Audible responded by saying it would change its policy to pay royalties to authors for any title returned more than 7 days after purchase, rather than within 365 days.
A writer would still feel 7 days is more than enough for someone to listen to the whole audiobook and that the company should only deduct royalties in cases of accidental purchase and within a much shorter period, say 48 hours, and only if the book hasn’t been listened to substantially. But let’s be honest, some audiobooks are poorly produced, and every consumer wants value for money.
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Can you return an audible book after reading?
You absolutely can. It doesn’t seem to be that making returns is ever entirely disallowed, which is part of the reason the system is controversial in its current state. I mean, why would you want a refund for a product you fully consumed? You shouldn’t abuse the return system as it’s a great system in place to make unsatisfied customers satisfied. Returning books is provided for peace of mind if you don’t know whether you’ll enjoy them or not.
You may be blocked if you’re always returning audiobooks after reading them because, from Audible’s point of view, you’ve got full use out of them.
How many times can you return a book on Audible?
Even though there isn’t a book returning limit published, returns are limited. Audible is pretty careful about not revealing the actual hard limit/time frame. It states that there isn’t a specific number of audiobooks or time frame when you can do online returns as it depends on several factors. It’s easy to think that you can return and exchange as many audiobooks as you wish because of the way Audible presents the service to its subscribers.
While active members in good standing get to take a chance on new content with their purchases, Audible also reserves the right to limit the number of exchanges and refunds. Especially if it determines the customer benefit is being misused or overused. Suppose you treat it as a lending library or listen to each audiobook in full and try to return it for credit. In that case, you’re misusing the service and abusing the privilege.
While your books may be eligible to be returned, you can only process a limited amount of refunds through the website. Once you hit the automatic return limit, you’ll be forced to contact an agent to process the other refunds on your behalf. Since Audible keeps track of all refunds you’ve claimed, many books in too short a period will probably get your automatic return option revoked.
If you have a book on Audible that you never got past chapter one or chapter two, they will see how far you read, and it will probably be reasonable to return that book. If you return every other audiobook, you’ll likely be blocked from using the service. But if you return a book in 15 or 20, it’s more reasonable. If you have 12 books you finished and want A swap, you’re essentially asking for 12 free audiobooks, even if you’re right about not liking them.
Buy more audiobooks, and your return options will return. To get the best out of book returning, it’s best to avoid doggedly reading on through audiobooks you really don’t like.
How do I return my title?
You can either return a book on Audible through the online tool by yourself or customer service to do it. You can use the desktop version for this or the mobile site.
Here’s all it takes for the return process on Audible:
- Visit the Audible page and sign in to your account with your Amazon/Audible credentials.
- Hover over your name at the top of the screen to get the dropdown menu with the Account Details Page.
- Once at the Account Details page, click the Purchase History option.
- By default, the Purchase History should show all the audiobooks you’re eligible to return. Search for the book you wish to return.
- Next to each audiobook is the Purchase History page. On mobile, tap the book and click Return this title. If you’re on the desktop site, click Return this title next to the book.
- Select your reason for return. These include reasons such as Bought it by mistake, Did not like the narrator, etc.
- Click Return Title again. You will receive a confirmation on the screen that indicates the return was successful, with details about your return.
- If you happen to run into difficulties making a return or have questions about Audible’s policy, contact support. If you see Online Return Unavailable, contact them for more information to initiate the return.
Why can’t I exchange my audible book?
Firstly, you must be an active Audible member to return books. If you cancel your membership, you cannot then return an audiobook. You’ll still be able to access and listen to the audiobooks that you’ve purchased, even though you’re no longer an active member.
You can exchange an audiobook within a year of purchase. You’ll likely be able to return more books, either directly on their online tool or through customer service. But they won’t let you get more than one audiobook for every Audible credit! Audible wants to make sure no one is gaming the system. So if you’re returning so many audiobooks, you will lose your return privileges or the ability to exchange audiobooks from your account again.
If you see “not eligible for return next to your book,” you won’t be able to return or exchange. Most likely, it’s been more than 365 days since you made the purchase; hence the company can activate the loss of your return privileges. You can access the support page to process the return in some cases.
How do I get a refund from Audible?
Audible automatically provide refunds to the same payment method you used to purchase the audiobook. These include credit, coupon, credit card, etc. If your form of payment was with a credit, you’d get a refund through credits in a matter of minutes to use for your next Audible purchase.
Generally, a credit card refund takes 7-1o business days to allow for processing by the financial institution.
