Returning a Book

[Briar Rose]

Is it possible to return something you bought from Audible that's older than a year? I bought a comedy show a couple of years ago, before Audible had a returns policy. I absolutely loathe it. I would even be happy to return it without getting a refund, I just want it off my shelf. Will Audible make an exception and let me return something that old?

[MissSusie]

Give it a try, is the best advice I can give, the worst they can do is say no.

[Verena]

I was just looking at my purchase history, and it looks like audiobooks are eligible for return up to 9 months after purchase date.

However, I would agree that it never hurts to ask.

[Angie]

I've returned one that was over a year old. I think I emailed them and asked and they did it, no problem. I don't think they would have done more than one though.

[Holly]

I called and successfully had them remove two things from my library that I just never wanted to see again. I didn't ask for a refund though.

[Michael]

Hah yes I've felt that way with a few books, just want them out of my library. Customer service is usually good helping with this stuff manually.

Their automated returns are a bit buggy.

[John, Moderator]

I wish there were a permanent delete option, as on my Fire I have to go through a lot of cloud books, not knowing which ones are unread.

I had a rep say, "Oh no, any book in your library can be returned whenever you bought it." I really think they're more concerned about excessive, frequent returns.

As far as I can tell, the automated return feature is pretty much history after the first couple of uses, so that a rep can look at your returns history before putting through your request.

[Angie]

I had them tell me recently that you can only return 2 books a year through the site now rather than 4.

[Barth]

I have returned a few books that I could not finish for various reasons. Most recently, I was instructed to call the number. I published a 'negative' review on Audible that outlined my reasons for not finishing the book; then I opened a chat window and directed the support person to my review. No further questions were asked and the whole conversation took less than three minutes.

Have return requests been declined denied for any of us? What seemed to have been the reason?

[Kristie]

I have never had a return request denied or even questioned.

[Sarah]

I never realized I could return a book to Audible. This is good to know. I just started Burial Rites, and while I like the story, the narrator's voice makes me want to take a nap. I think I would prefer this one in print or ebook format.

[John, Moderator]

They've had the return option for a couple of years now, not all that long after they started returns for Kindle books.

[Kristie]

Sarah wrote: "I never realized I could return a book to Audible. This is good to know. I just started Burial Rites, and while I like the story, the narrator's voice makes me want to take a nap. I..."

If you have a device that allows faster playback speed, you might want to try that first. I listened to that one on a faster speed, and I remember thinking it'd be painful to listen to that narration at regular speed. Others here have liked that style though.

I think they must have started returns around 2012. I know they did not have it in 2010, which was my first year of membership. I took 2011 off and rejoined in 2012. I think it was shortly after I rejoined that they offered returns. It's been a huge game changer for me, not that I return a ton of books. I remember choosing books in 2010, being so picky about what I bought in fear that I wouldn't like the book for which I'd just spent a precious credit. I'm much less hesitant to try new books this way, and it's usually paid off.

[Sarah]

Yes, I've also been very picky about what I spend my credits on. I agree that now I will be less hesitant. I will try it on a faster speed, although it's the hushed, breathy quality of her voice that makes it sleepy-sounding to me. She sounds like a character from the Fable III game.

[Briar Rose]

Thanks for the info everyone. I will try returning it and see what happens.

[Robin P]

Barth wrote: "I have returned a few books that I could not finish for various reasons. Most recently, I was instructed to call the number. I published a 'negative' review on Audible that outlined my reasons for ..."

I had the experience once of assigning 2 stars to a book and having an automated message pop up saying "Only 2 stars? Let us replace it with something you'll like better" - basically giving me a credit without my asking for it. The interesting thing is that the book then disappeared along with my rating and I didn't get to write a review of why I didn't like it. I would hate to think that the reviews are skewed by some negative ones being removed.

[John, Moderator]

Could this have happened early on in your return "experience"? I have seen that message, but I think I had to call to get my credit back.

[Barth]

Robin wrote: "The interesting thing is that the book then disappeared along with my rating and I didn't get to write a review of why I didn't like it. I would hate to think that the reviews are skewed by some negative ones being removed."

Agreed. AFAIK all of my reviews, negative ones included, are still showing on Audible.

[Robin P]

Yes, I definitely do see negative reviews and they are really helpful, depending on what someone didn't like it might confirm that I probably will like the book - or not to waste my credit. I especially appreciate comments on the narrator and sound quality as I can't find them anywhere else.

That experience was at least a couple of years ago.

[Briar Rose]

An update: I contacted Audible via the chat function on their website and they deleted the item and refunded my money, no questions asked. Yay!

[John, Moderator]

Recently, I had a return request denied in chat mode for being more than a year old.

[Barth]

Thanks, that's good to know. I'll stick with my effort to listen to books within a year of purchase.

[Kristie]

John wrote: "Recently, I had a return request denied in chat mode for being more than a year old."

Even more motivation to stick with my first in, first out listening strategy. I'm still going to have to work to get books listened to within a year, sadly. Must. Buy. Fewer. Books.

[Briar Rose]

John wrote: "Recently, I had a return request denied in chat mode for being more than a year old."

It seems to depend a lot on who you get. I've had good and bad customer service through the chat portal. Maybe wait a few months and try again?

[Rebecca]

They will take it off. You just won't get credit. I did it for the Wheel of Time teaser preview they gave out, a podcast and that first listener thing.

[Sarah]

I just discovered that online, you can only return 2 books every 6 months. Any more than that, and you have to call. I called to return a book just now and they were very nice about it. I'm still new to audiobooks, so I'm still sort of learning what types of books I like to listen to. There's been a fair amount of trial and error.

[Angie]

Sarah wrote: "I just discovered that online, you can only return 2 books every 6 months. Any more than that, and you have to call. I called to return a book just now and they were very nice about it. I'm still n..."

Hmm, the last time I spoke with someone they said you could only return 2 books a year because I tried after it had been six months since my last return and I couldn't do it. Maybe they've changed it back.

[Sandra]

I returned four books just last weekend. I did it with the chat feature. I've never had any trouble.

[Robin P]

I always tell them why I am returning one and they are always fine with it. I think it's a great feature. Now that I've been on several years, I am better at choosing so I don't return many.

[Michael]

Angie wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I just discovered that online, you can only return 2 books every 6 months. Any more than that, and you have to call. I called to return a book just now and they were very nice about i..."

2 a year is fair enough for people that just spend the minimum, eg 12 or 24 books a year. For those of us addicts here buying over a hundred a year, 2 is a bit too limiting...!!!!

[Margaret]

Maybe it should be a certain percentage?

[Sarah]

I think they don't want people using Audible like a library - getting a book on credit, listening to it, and returning it to get something else. That's what Amazon Unlimited is for (if only there were more audio titles for that!). I can understand limiting it. I'll just have to be more careful about what I buy in the future.

[Sandra]

I think the two year limit is only if you try to return books without calling or chatting. I return many more books than that and have never had ae problem. Like I said above I just returned four books the other day. I also buy a lot of books. And I try not to buy books I don't think I'll like. Sometimes I miss.

[Michael]

Margaret wrote: "Maybe it should be a certain percentage?"

I agree it should be more a percentage

[Audiothing]

I hadn't thought of speeding up playback!
Just to say, I have the Audible app on my IPad, I can only manage one credit per month, so yes, it is precious, much time spent choosing my books.
I have returned a book via the app with no problems, it was a detective novel, I didn't realise was set in the future. They gave me another credit, but they never deleted the "returned" book.