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If you have a specific question about an order, we recommend contacting the seller directly. This is often the fastest way to obtain order information. View instructions.

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Many other questions can be answered by visiting our help center.

AbeBooks Help Center

I No Longer Need The Book

AbeBooks’ Return Policy guarantees that you can return any book for a refund within 30 days, when the return is due to an error on the bookseller’s part. If you received the wrong book, or if it’s the correct book but was inaccurately described online, or if the book arrived damaged, follow these return instructions.

However, if you:

  • ordered the wrong book in error;
  • ordered a textbook and then dropped the class;
  • ordered a book and then realized you don’t need it after all;
  • ordered a book and then found another copy elsewhere;

then the bookseller made no error and is not required to accept a return.

But even though they are not required to do so, many sellers are willing to accept returns for these reasons in order to provide good customer service.

Here’s what you should do:

  1. [Sign on] to your AbeBooks account with your email address and password.
  2. Click [View My Purchases] from the Member Menu.
  3. Locate the order you’d like to return and click [Request Return/Refund].
  4. In the ‘Reason’ drop-down list, select ‘Buyer does not want item.’
  5. In the ‘Comments’ box, enter your reasons for wanting to return the book.
  6. Click [Initiate Return/Refund].

We’ll send you a Return Initiated confirmation email and we will automatically notify the bookseller and forward your comments. The bookseller has two days within which to cancel the return if they choose not to accept it. If they do choose to reject the return, you will be notified by email.

Please do not send the book back until either:

  • The bookseller notifies you of their acceptance of the return, or;
  • Three days have passed and you’ve received neither a notification of cancellation nor a notification of acceptance. If you’ve received neither by the third day, the return is considered accepted and you should return the book to the seller. The bookseller’s return address can be found in the Return Initiated email.

The bookseller will process your refund immediately upon return receipt of the book.

If the bookseller does refuse to accept your return, our buyback program may be a good alternative.