# Returning Your Audible Books: A Comprehensive Guide
Audible, a subsidiary of Amazon, offers a vast library of audiobooks, making it a popular choice for avid listeners. However, there might be instances where you need to return an audiobook you’ve purchased. Whether it’s a mistaken purchase, a credit you wish to reclaim, or an audiobook that didn’t meet your expectations, Audible provides a relatively straightforward return process. This guide will walk you through the steps to ensure a smooth return experience, covering common scenarios and important considerations.
The ability to return Audible books is a valuable feature for members, offering flexibility in managing your audiobook collection. It’s important to understand that Audible’s return policy has specific guidelines and limitations. Generally, returns are accepted within a certain timeframe and under specific conditions, such as the book not being significantly consumed. Familiarizing yourself with these rules will help you navigate the process efficiently and avoid any potential issues.
| Category | Details |
| :—————- | :—————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————— |
| **Eligibility** | Generally, books purchased with a credit can be returned within seven days of purchase, provided you haven’t listened to more than 10% of the book. Other purchases may have different criteria. |
| **Return Reason** | Common reasons include accidental purchase, duplicate purchase, or dissatisfaction with the content. |
| **Process** | Returns are typically initiated through the Audible website, not the app. You’ll need to go to your Order History, find the book, and select the “Return” option. |
| **Refund Method** | If purchased with a credit, the credit is usually returned to your account. If purchased with a debit or credit card, the refund will be issued to the original payment method. |
| **Exceptions** | Gifts, some promotional purchases, and books with significant listening time may not be eligible for return. |
| **Authentic** | [Audible Official Website](https://www.audible.com/) |
## Understanding Audible’s Return Policy
Audible’s return policy is designed to be customer-friendly while maintaining fair usage. The primary condition for returning a book purchased with a credit is that the return must be requested within seven days of the purchase, and you should not have listened to more than 10% of the audiobook. This ensures that the return is not due to simply changing your mind after substantial engagement with the content.
### Accidental Purchases and Other Common Scenarios
Mistakes happen, and Audible recognizes this. If you’ve accidentally purchased a book, or bought a duplicate copy, you can usually return it following the standard procedure. Similarly, if you find that the audiobook’s content or narration is not to your liking after listening to a small portion, you may be able to return it.
> In 2023, Audible reported over 400,000 audiobook titles available on its platform, highlighting the vastness of its audio library.
* **Accidental Purchase:** Simply select the “Return” option on the Audible website.
* **Duplicate Purchase:** Similar to accidental purchases, initiate a return through your order history.
* **Content Dissatisfaction:** If you’ve listened to less than 10% of the book and are within the return window, you can typically return it due to dissatisfaction.
### How to Return an Audiobook: Step-by-Step
Returning an audiobook is a process best handled through the Audible website. While the Audible app allows you to purchase and listen to books, the return functionality is primarily available on the desktop or mobile web version of Audible.
1. **Log in to your Audible account** on the Audible website.
2. Navigate to your **Library** and then to **Purchase History**.
3. **Locate the audiobook** you wish to return.
4. Click on the **three-dot menu** (or similar options) next to the audiobook title.
5. Select the **”Return or Replace Item”** option.
6. **Choose a reason** for your return from the dropdown menu. Be honest and select the most appropriate reason.
7. **Add any additional comments** if necessary, though this is often optional.
8. **Confirm your return.**
Once your return is processed, a credit will be added back to your account if you used a credit, or a refund will be issued to your original payment method if you purchased the book directly.
> Did you know? The first audiobook ever recorded is widely considered to be Dylan Thomas reading “A Child’s Christmas in Wales” in 1952.
* The return process is generally quick and can often be completed within minutes.
* You will receive an email confirmation once your return has been successfully processed.
### Important Considerations and Limitations
While Audible’s return policy is flexible, there are limitations to be aware of:
* **Listening Time:** As mentioned, listening to more than 10% of a book generally disqualifies it from return, especially if purchased with a credit.
* **Return Window:** The standard return window is seven days for credit purchases. Policies for other purchase types might vary slightly.
* **Gift Returns:** Returning gifted audiobooks has a different process. The recipient usually needs to initiate the return, and the refund is typically issued as an Audible credit to the recipient’s account.
* **Promotional Offers:** Books obtained through certain special promotions or included in subscription plans might have different return conditions or may not be returnable at all.
* **Marketplace Purchases:** If you purchased an audiobook from a third-party seller on Amazon that is not directly sold by Audible, the return process will be subject to Amazon’s policies, not Audible’s.
## Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
### Q1: Can I return an audiobook if I’ve listened to more than 10% of it?
Generally, no. Audible’s policy for credit purchases typically requires that you have listened to less than 10% of the book to be eligible for a return. However, for accidental purchases or other specific circumstances, Audible may offer exceptions on a case-by-case basis.
### Q2: How long does it take to get a refund after returning a book?
If you purchased the book with a credit, the credit is usually restored to your account immediately after the return is processed. If you paid with a credit or debit card, the refund can take a few business days to appear on your statement, depending on your bank.
### Q3: What if I purchased an audiobook as a gift?
You cannot directly return a gifted audiobook. The recipient of the gift must initiate the return. They will receive an Audible credit upon successful return, which they can then use to purchase another audiobook of their choice.
### Q4: Can I return an audiobook through the Audible app?
The return functionality is primarily available through the Audible website. You will need to log in to your account on the Audible website (audible.com or your regional site) to initiate a return.
### Q5: Are there any limits on how many audiobooks I can return?
Audible does not explicitly state a strict numerical limit on returns. However, frequent or excessive returns, especially without valid reasons, might be flagged by their system. It’s recommended to use the return policy responsibly.
