Romance Audiobooks discussion

I'm wondering how often people use the return book feature with Audible? I seem to be much more picky with my audiobooks than written books and there are a substantial handful that I've bought that I have just not enjoyed. Some I finish, while struggling through them, and others I've set aside without finishing. I'm afraid Audible will think I am abusing my membership if I return as many as I'd like to! BTW, this is after doing a bit of research, listening to what snippets are available, and reading reviews. I am trying to only buy books I will like!

I am exactly like you. I get so many that I can't listen to after much research and hate to return as many as I would like to. I've never returned one that I bought through whispersync since they were usually $2 and $3, although I returned the kindle book for 1 or 2 of them. And I don't think I've ever returned one I bought through a sale either. I have returned at least 2 every 6 months through the website though, and up to one other credit book during the 6 month periods. I do feel like I've returned more than a lot of people probably have. I guess the sales and free credits, etc., make up for some of the bad ones I get, too.

Angie wrote: "I guess the sales and free credits, etc., make up for some of the bad ones I get, too. "
This is an excellent point, and makes me feel better. :) My library has a lot of excellent books and I can whispersync the titles I borrow if they don't have the audiobook. That in itself has saved me a lot of $$$.

Yes, the library has definitely helped a lot in saving me money. You could also borrow ebooks through Lendle and then get the companion audiobooks. I've gotten a few through there.

I return every book that I don't finish...maybe 8-10%? I don't care about the price, if I know I won't finish it, off they go. But I don't return books I finished, even if I don't like them (to those I just give bad ratings.)

In 2013-2014 combined (so far), I bought 104 audios (lots of them with whispersync but still) so I think Audible is getting their money's worth. So far, they haven't complained and I've returned books that have been more than a couple of years old (they say they don't allow returns for those but when I've asked, they've never given me trouble.)

I have returned a lot of books, mostly ones I spent a credit on...for whispersync ones while I wont return them often because of the low price, there have been a couple that I just thought were just horrible that were returned ....In the last year (2013/2014)between whispersync deals and credits I got 270 audios and like D.G above I have probably returned about 8-10%, and have never had a problem...most likely because I buy so many....I don't feel bad because I turn around and reuse the credit for another book..

I too have returned books to Audible although possibly only ten total over the past two years. I purchase around 80 Audible audiobooks per year so we're probably talking around 6%. However, I should be returning more. I return audiobooks for two reasons - poor narration or really poor production. I don't return a book if I have listened to the entire book. And I don't return if my reason for not caring for a book is the content - I figure that is a chance I take anytime I purchase something in print.

Returning unacceptable audiobooks gives us a voice with Audible that informs them we won't accept poor narration or production. Give your reasons for returning.

If you try the auto return under your Account Details Purchase History (it gives you the option to easily return there) and it doesn't work, email or call them. I believe they have a time frame for those automatic returns. Last time I tried and it didn't work, they told me I had the max amount of auto returns (2) for a certain time period and to just contact them directly. So, I email all my requests and have never encountered a single problem.

Oh yeah...I don't have any auto returns either. I usually just call but I didn't realize I could email! I'll do that in the future.

And I agree with Nichole...I usually turn around and use the credit for something else!

If I can't finish the book, I will return it. I believe it is important for them to know why you're returning. It is important to remember to review the book BEFORE you return it, because you can't do so after it is returned. I made that mistake recently. Audible's liberal return policy encourages me to try new narrators.

Angie wrote: "I am exactly like you. I get so many that I can't listen to after much research and hate to return as many as I would like to. I've never returned one that I bought through whispersync since they..."

I didn't realize you could return a Kindle book. How do you go about that?

Lisa wrote: "I didn't realize you could return a Kindle book. How do you go about that? "

I can't remember exactly. I either went into manage my kindle, then clicked on "actions" next to the book and returned it that way, or either went into my digital orders and returned it that way. I think the option to return a book goes away fairly soon, so you have to do it within a few days.

If you're within 7 days of purchase, you can go into the 'Manage your Kindle' section and that shows as one of the options.

But I've even returned old Kindle books. Once, I pre-ordered a book and 6 months later the audio came out but without Whispersync. I contacted them, told them if I could return the Kindle book because I wanted to buy the audio and they did it.

Thanks for all the feedback,I think I *will* be returning more books. But I agree with whoever said that they'd want it to be because of the narrator or poor production (though I haven't run into that latter problem yet).
I don't buy nearly as many audiobooks as some of you, but then I have only returned one that I couldn't finish. I just bought another one with a narrator that I can't stand. I was feeling kind of bad about returning it, but your comments make me feel better. I will mention why I'm returning it, but a lot of people seem to think the narrator is okay, so I doubt anyone will pay much attention to me!

I have returned both kindle books and audios after a long time (usually because it took me a while to get to it). But I think the only reason I have returned an audio is for really bad narration or really bad sound quality. Oh, and a couple times because I didn't pay attention and wanted the book whispersynced. They are always good if you call them.

I have no qualms about returning audio books that are poorly narrated or an amateur production. Audible has extraordinary customer service and returning an audio book has always been a breeze, even when I've owned it for some time and taken awhile to get around to listening to it.

If you have the proper acct info at your fingertips, you can new use the Chat option to return an audio book.

If you contact Audible's customer service, just enter your audiobook order no and title/author. In the Subject header just enter 'Refund' or 'Return'. Under 'Category' just select 'Billing'.

They will respond within a few minutes.

Note that if you have already returned 2 books that year, you cannot use the 'click on the eligible' button next to the book. You'll have to contact Audible's customer service, as above.

Audible has confirmed it will return any book, no questions asked. At first, I was very "fair" about their return policy, not wanting to abuse it so I only returned those whose narration I didn't like so the book was really bad/boring that it got me pissed off.

Recently, I heard from different authors and publishers about Amazon's practices and how it is affecting authors and publishers. I suspect now that Amazon is intentionally returning any purchase (audiobook or Kindlebook) with no questions asked, to monopolize the market. That's just my suspicion, of course.

It's up to you whether you want to take advantage of it or not. I don't know whether an author loses any royalty if we return a book.

Everything a company does is with the intent of getting more market share (whether they succeed or not is another question.) The ability to return merchandise is something that will definitely pre-dispose customers towards a particular company. It also makes the customer freer to indulge in 'impulse' purchasing because if you know you can return an item, you are more likely to buy something you wouldn't normally buy. I wouldn't be surprised if Audible has made more money since they instituted the policy (I know that since then, my audiobook purchases have increased A LOT.) I wouldn't say that everybody has benefited the same though: bad books/narrations are probably being returned more while good books/narrations are being bought more. It's definitely an incentive not to produce crappy work.

I'd say authors will definitely lose royalty when a book is returned - after all, Amazon/Audible won't just eat that cost. It's just one cost of doing business with them - every author must take that into consideration when they decide to sell their books through them.

I was just informed that now you can only return 2 books in 12 months through the website, but they'll still do returns if you contact them.

Curious, I never a return a book, but I wondered is there a socially acceptable guideline?

I figured if I muddled through it it’s mine. I’ve had a couple that the narration hasn’t been bad, but the story was so bad I stopped listening… didn’t return those either. And have had only a few were the narration was poor, but I muddle through it so I decided I should keep it.

Poor technical quality is a given

I generally only return those with narration so bad I can't get through it or when the quality is extremely poor. I never return when the story is bad...I figure that was my risk just like when I buy a book.

Dawn wrote: "I generally only return those with narration so bad I can't get through it or when the quality is extremely poor. I never return when the story is bad...I figure that was my risk just like when I b..."

That's what I was thinking as far as the story goes, my risk.

Here's my take: they allow you to return books so it's acceptable. I return books for lots of reasons but never after I listened to them. If I finished the book, then I keep it, whether it was good or bad.

Now there are tons of other books I buy on impulse or the sample really didn't give me a good range of the narrator. If I find I cannot listen to it - for any reason - I just return it. If you're a good customer, they don't give you any problems.

Sue wrote: "Curious, I never a return a book, but I wondered is there a socially acceptable guideline?

I figured if I muddled through it it’s mine. I’ve had a couple that the narration hasn’t been bad, but..."

I was wondering about the socially accepted guideline, too, which is why I asked. Opinions seem to vary a little, but each poster's position makes sense. I think each of us have to do what is comfortable for us. Seems like a clear guideline is whether or not you can finish the book.

I myself have now returned two. However, I have several more that I've stopped listening to that I hope I enjoy a bit more when I pick them up again. Personally I think I have to be downright unhappy, not just bored, with a book in order to return it.

I'm seriously bad about listening to samples, it really should be something I adopt. But alot of my audio books are whispersync deals, that I just bascially extend the buy... If the combined deal is more than $5 I usually don't pull the trigger, unknowns are closer to $3... usually it's the attached audio to a free book.

I do find I pay alot of attention to the conversations on this site and audiogals when it comes to credit purchases, those have always been wise buys.


Thanks everyone, I think my mindset is inline with most folks here...

Sue wrote: "I'm seriously bad about listening to samples, it really should be something I adopt. "

It's helpful to listen to samples, but I've often found they are not comprehensive enough to cover the main characters. It makes them less than reliable indicators. I listened to the sample of Motorcycle Man and then bought it because I liked Tyra's voice. Turns out it was the only voice I liked!

Jane wrote: "Sue wrote: "I'm seriously bad about listening to samples, it really should be something I adopt. "

It's helpful to listen to samples, but I've often found they are not comprehensive enough to cove..."

Actually now that I think of it, the last sample I listened to was all "narrator" yes that's an important voice but rarely it's the voice you object to.

ElaineY wrote: "If you contact Audible's customer service, just enter your audiobook order no and title/author. In the Subject header just enter 'Refund' or 'Return'. Under 'Category' just select 'Billing'.

They ..."


Thank you for this post! There were 2 books in my library that I did not finish because of the narrator, I just could not listen to them anymore. I was hesitant to return them because I was not sure if they would let me since I had already returned my "first 2." I did send them an email for the return and am waiting to hear back.