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Grrr. Kindle return policy...
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I'm not sure if anyone's returned my books and I'd rather not know. It's one of those small things that would let me down ontop of everything else so I'm good with not knowing lol.
Luckily no one has asked for a refund on my books. If I understand correctly, they can get refunds if the book is poorly done, like with a lot of typos and improper formatting. I have an interesting story on a DVD I tried to return. It was $15 on Prime and after I got it I realized that I already owned the DVD! So I did not open the package and went into my Amazon account to see if I could return it. I answered all the questions and I selected the option that said "I am returning because I already own this item". Then Amazon refunded my account and told me to keep the DVD. It was the only time that I have tried to return something to Amazon and I was surprised that they would even let me return a DVD in the first place. Sorry, random story! :)
I once returned an ebook. I had opened many tabs in my browser while searching for a book, and I hit the buy in the wrong tab. I immediately went to the return page and explained myself. I never downloaded the ebook of course. They didn't argue and refunded me back.Someone once returned one of my books. So what, accident happens. I am sure if someone would repeatedly return merchandise they'd be flagged.
For e-books only, I have the Amazon "Buy It Now with 1 Click" option activated. Once I accidentally tapped the button just by moving the laptop mouse around the page. I immediately followed the return instructions and was given credit right away. The transaction didn't even show up on my credit card.I agree with G.G. I expect that a customer with frequent returns would be flagged by Amazon. At least I hope they would.
Awww, man! I just realized that I totally sounded melodramatic. I wasn't freakin' out or anything wacko. Only a bit curious hahaha.And thank you guys so much! G.G. and Sue, you're totes right. Accidents happen, eh? And Robert, good analogy for sure!
Hugs,
Ann
P.S. - Justin, that's probably a smart idea. Now if only I wasn't so much of a masochist, eh? *smirks*
P.P.S. - Marie, I quite enjoy your random stories XD
For people in the UK only, here is a short explanation of the rules on returns: https://www.gov.uk/accepting-returns-...
Much worse with Audible. The Great Listen guarantee says that members can return a book for any reason, including just not having liked it or hating the ending - no questions asked.
Amazon has closed abuser accounts. I've returned exactly one book: my own, mostly to see how easy it is. In order to return, I had to provide the reason. Apparently, Amazon has the right to refuse returns as well as close accounts if they feel that books are being read and returned. Remember, they have the ability to see if a book was read and how far.
I have had a handful of returns on Blade's Edge that clearly were from accidental buys as they happened within minutes of the buy happening. In other words by the time I saw the buy the return had already been processed. You can see these easily on your KDP page when you download your actual reports. There's a column for returns in the csv file and then you'll see that the money you earned for the sale was 0.00.
They don't seem like a big deal and I've never had one that was delayed long enough to have read the book.
I've returned 2 ebooks and 1 audible book (connected to one of the ebooks). Amazon didn't make a stink about the refunds, and I don't remember how long it was after I bought them.In both cases, I read a few chapters in and found I didn't like the book at all (sexually explicit).
So, sometimes it's not an accidental click but still a purchase that shouldn't have happened.
I think two of my books have been returned. There's a kdp report that shows returns for a time frame.
Oooh! Wow!! Thank you to everyone for sharing your experiences!! Christina, it's interesting that they've closed accounts. I guess there will always be the few who want a free lunch, eh? Yummm...lunch...XPI didn't even realize that you could see how long after the purchase the refund was made (that's worded really poorly *cringe*). I'll keep an eye out so I know what that looks like XD
Thanks again, you guys!!
Big group hug,
Ann
Annie wrote: "I didn't even realize that you could see how long after the purchase the refund was made (that's worded really poorly *cringe*). I'll keep an eye out so I know what that looks like XD"Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to imply that you can see when the return was made compared to the purchase. It doesn't actually tell you the time stamp. I only meant that as a compulsive kdp sales report checker I noticed that the sales and returns happened within minutes of each other. What you can find, however, is how many returns you have on any given day in your report.
Oh, gotcha! Don't be sorry, Miss Virginia. Just me jumping to conclusions again hahaha. Thanks for clearing that up :)
Almost every time I run a successful promo, I see an uptick in returns. I think some people impulse click and don't always realize that they are making a purchase instead of downloading. I also found out that a credit card decline will show as a return occasionally.
Yes, you can return Amazon ebooks. Personally, as a reader, I've returned two ebooks because I was disgusted with the books. As an author, yes, I've had books returned, but it's a tiny percentage of the whole. Some of them may have returned them because they didn't care for them; others may have scammed the system. It's just part of doing business. It's not something to fret over. You can also return print books at Amazon and at many brick-and-mortar bookstores, so it's not completely one-sided.
Ah, it totally makes sense that would happen, Miss Christina (the accidental impulse clicks, I mean) Thanks for the insight!!Miss April, I can assure you I'm not fretting over anything XD Buuuut, I sure do need to work on my delivery if I come across frettish (totes not a word *grins*) That's true, eh? I didn't really think of brick-and-mortar, actually. I've never returned a physical book, or an ebook, for that matter... *ponders* And thank you!! XD
Hugs,
Ann
I once read an article by an author (found the article on Twitter) who was frustrated when a person bought all their books and returned them and proceeded to say something along the lines of "your books were too expensive for me, at $0.99 to $2.99". Of course, you can report abuse of the return policy.
I've had my books refunded a few times. I'd be concerned if every last one was returned, but it's only one or two every once in a while, suggesting the story just wasn't for them. The only time I've returned an ebook was when there was a serious formatting error. I explained the issue and had the money refunded in a matter of days. Otherwise, I stick with purchases I've made. If you don't like something, you can always archive it.
If you are watching the sale of your books on "my account," you can see the returns. I had two books returned out of all my sales, and originally I could see that they were returned the same day, like the person didn't even open them. I think that's fair. You might get a book and then see it was nothing like you thought it was, even after reading the blurb. I think people will be much more willing to buy if they know Amazon has a good return policy. I once returned a book for 99, cents, because I get tired of reading vulgar language.
I had one month where someone was going through each one of my books and buying it, then returning it the same day. I thought that was suspicious, so I asked Amazon about it. They looked into it and said it was just someone clicking the buy button by accident. I had five pieces out there, and they systematically went through them all, so that made me wonder, but didn't really bother me. It happens.
I've had only two returned so far, both immediately after they were bought, so probably a mistake purchase. I've made them myself, the latest being a movie download that I thought I wanted, and changed my mind right after I clicked on it.
Sooo....I totally jinxed myself because I had my first return today hahahahaha XD
That is all.
Hugs,
Ann
Haha, I spoke too soon!!I sold 47 books on Monday, and just noticed that 6 were refunded. Since they were bought and returned the day after a promo that I ran, I am guessing that they were accidental clicks. Either that or they probably saw my promo and went to get my book for free, not realizing the promo had ended until after they clicked.
I really don't like the "buy this with one click" button, and I am paranoid about my cursor hovering too close to it when I am just checking a book out, haha. I can see how easy it would be to order a book on accident.
At least, that is what I have to tell myself, because if I have to face the fact that 6 people hated my book enough to return it, I might cry a bucket of tears. #denial
Marie wrote: "Haha, I spoke too soon!!I sold 47 books on Monday, and just noticed that 6 were refunded. Since they were bought and returned the day after a promo that I ran, I am guessing that they were accide..."
Ugh, yeah, that sucks. But it was probably accidental for them. I've actually done that too - where I didn't mean to click something, but I did. Luckily it was my own book! lol Wasn't gonna return that. ;)
Pfft, Lyra! I don't feel sorry for Miss Marie one bit!! I mean, 47 books in a day? That's stupendous!!! XDMy max so far has been 20 copies in a day, not counting my first day. I already knew they were all gonna buy it. I mean, they asked me to publish the book, so they'd darn well better, eh? *smirks*
Haha Lyra, that's awesome! I kinda wanna buy the kindle copy of my book, just to see what exactly it looks like once they converted it. Maybe I will this weekend for 99 cents LOLOLLL
Hugs,
Ann
Mod
My max so far has been 20 copies in a day..."
Not to derail the topic (okay, maybe a little) I get all happy when I have twenty sales in a month. You guys are doing awesome.
Seriously! What Dwayne said! But yes, after a free promo, if you rank high enough, there's a spillover factor and the returns tend to be a lot higher during that period. My guess is that most are just click happy folks who don't look at price.
Derail to your heart's content, Mr Dwayne! I'm the queen of shiny objects and random squirrels XD Seriously, though, thank you! For reals!!It's kinda strange because GR is my first experience chatting with other authors (besides a sci fi buddy) so it's been very eye-opening. Like, I have no frame of reference at all. I mean, I don't know what to expect in terms of sales and such as a debut indie, if that makes sense? What's good? What's great? No clue.
And thanks, Christina! I'm expecting a few for sure because I'm gonna promo the Hash's Bash event in the "oops, you didn't win" message of an Amazon Giveaway. I bet many people will assume it must be free and click. But it'll help the authors who do have their books for free, so I don't give a single poop XD
Hugs,
Ann
EDIT: a sci fi and erotica buddy (don't ask haha)
Annie wrote: "EDIT: a sci fi and erotica buddy (don't ask haha)"It's okay, we've got CB. No one has been able to out niche his elfrotica yet. ;)
Soooo darn true!!! XDMy buddy should just embrace the genres and smoosh them together. He's still writing erotica all hush-hush under a different pen. I'll direct him to C.B.'s work... *giggle*
On my regular profile I only sell one or two books month, so when I get a review I have a pretty good idea when they bought the book. Imagine my surprise to get a really great review, but then the only book bought within the last few weeks was returned. Hmm. On the bright side, it was my first review, so I was more happy than upset. I suppose if they're going to pay with a review, that's probably worth more than the money.
Mod
Christina has already mentioned that Amazon polices returns and will closes abusive accounts and/or refuse returns. We do books returned (not at all surprising, considering our subject matter), but they are something less than 1% of sales. So it's not an issue.
Nope, no issue at all. I seriously need to stop naming threads all melodratic-like LOLI've had only had one return so far and that's only because I totally jinxed myself with this thread *smirks* Tbh, I expected way more hahahahaha.
Hugs,
Ann
I just read that Kindle books can be returned within 7 days. Just curious if anyone has thoughts or experience regarding this? I mean, you totally can't do that with print books, right? Or am I completely off my rocker? Plus, you can easily read a book in that time period. Wouldn't there be an issue with this policy being abused at some point? *shrugs*
Hope y'all are having a fantabulous Sunday! XD
Hugs,
Ann