Payment Policy

Effective Date: June 13, 2026

At Backstreet Books, every transaction should be straightforward, safe, and transparent. This Payment Policy outlines which payment methods we accept, how charges are processed, how we protect your financial data, and what to do if something goes wrong.

1. Accepted Payment Methods

We accept the following forms of payment for all online orders:

  • Visa
  • MasterCard
  • American Express
  • Discover
  • PayPal
  • Apple Pay
  • Google Pay

Full payment is required at the time of purchase. We do not offer installment plans, deferred billing, or layaway options. Orders are confirmed only after payment is received and verified successfully.

2. Transaction Security

Protecting your payment information is a priority at every step of the checkout process.

Encryption and Data Protection

  • 128-bit SSL Encryption (HTTPS): All data exchanged between your browser and our website is encrypted using Secure Socket Layer technology
  • PCI DSS-Compliant Gateways: Every transaction is routed through payment processors that meet Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards
  • Tokenization: Your card number is converted into a secure token — the actual card data never passes through our systems
  • No Stored Card Details: We do not retain your full card number, CVV, or complete payment credentials on our servers
  • Direct Processing: Payment data goes directly to our gateway providers and is never stored on our website
  • Regular Security Reviews: We conduct ongoing security assessments to identify and address potential vulnerabilities

Fraud Prevention

To protect both customers and our business, we use:

  • Automated fraud detection systems that flag suspicious order patterns
  • Address Verification Service (AVS) to cross-check billing addresses
  • CVV verification for all card transactions
  • Manual review for orders that trigger fraud alerts

If an order is held for review, we’ll contact you to confirm your identity before proceeding. We reserve the right to cancel any order flagged as potentially fraudulent.

3. Currency

All prices and transactions are in USD (US Dollars). Displayed prices represent the cost of the item; applicable sales tax is calculated at checkout based on your shipping address.

Note for customers outside the United States:

  • Your bank or card issuer may apply a foreign transaction or currency conversion fee
  • Backstreet Books has no control over and does not receive any portion of these fees
  • The final amount debited may differ slightly due to exchange rate fluctuations
  • Contact your financial institution for details on international transaction charges

4. Taxes and Fees

  • Sales Tax: Calculated automatically at checkout based on your shipping destination, where applicable
  • Shipping: Standard shipping is FREE on all U.S. orders — no minimum required, no hidden surcharges
  • No Hidden Fees: The total you see before clicking “Place Order” is the total you pay. We don’t add handling fees, processing charges, or surprise costs

If you believe you’ve been charged an incorrect amount, contact us at info@backstreetbooks.com and we’ll investigate promptly.

5. Payment Processing

When You Will Be Charged

Your payment method is charged immediately when you confirm your order. Upon successful payment:

  • Your card or digital wallet is debited for the full order total
  • Authorization is obtained from your bank or card issuer
  • You’ll receive an Order Confirmation Email containing your order number and receipt
  • Your order enters our fulfillment queue for processing and shipment

If Your Payment Is Declined

You’ll be notified immediately at checkout if your payment doesn’t go through. In that case:

  • Your order will not be created or confirmed
  • No charge will appear on your account
  • You will not receive a confirmation email

Common reasons a payment may be declined:

  • Billing information doesn’t match your bank records
  • Insufficient available credit or funds
  • Expired card
  • Daily spending limit exceeded
  • Transaction flagged by your card issuer
  • Temporary technical issue with the payment gateway

Steps to resolve a declined payment:

  1. Verify all billing details are entered correctly
  2. Confirm your card hasn’t expired and has sufficient funds
  3. Contact your bank to check for account restrictions or holds
  4. Try a different payment method
  5. Email us at info@backstreetbooks.com if the issue persists

Order Confirmation

After payment is processed successfully:

  • You’ll receive a confirmation email within minutes
  • The email includes your order number, items ordered, shipping address, and total charged
  • Save this email — it’s your purchase receipt
  • If no email arrives within 1 hour, check your spam folder or contact us

6. Refunds and Cancellations

Cancelling an Order

  • Email info@backstreetbooks.com with your order number as soon as possible
  • If your order hasn’t shipped, we’ll cancel it and issue a full refund
  • If it’s already in transit, you’ll need to return the item once it arrives

Refund Processing

Approved refunds are always returned to the original payment method used at checkout:

  • Processing Time: Refunds are issued within 7–10 business days of receiving and inspecting your return
  • Bank Posting Time: Allow an additional 3–7 business days for your bank to apply the credit to your account
  • Confirmation: You’ll receive an email once your refund has been processed
  • Amount: The full product price is refunded. Outbound shipping is non-refundable unless the return is due to our error

Partial Refunds

A partial refund may be issued if the returned item shows signs of use, is missing original packaging, or is returned outside the 30-day window. We’ll contact you to explain any adjustment before processing it.

See our Return and Refund Policy for complete details.

7. Payment Disputes and Chargebacks

If you see a charge you don’t recognize or believe is incorrect, please reach out to us at info@backstreetbooks.com before filing a chargeback with your bank. Most issues are resolved faster by working directly with our team.

If a chargeback is filed:

  • We will review the claim and submit evidence to your bank
  • Your account may be suspended while the dispute is under review
  • Chargebacks filed in error or bad faith may be subject to legal action

8. Pre-Authorization Holds

When you place an order, a temporary authorization hold may appear on your account to verify available funds. This converts to an actual charge once your order is confirmed. If the order is cancelled before shipment, the hold is typically released within 4–10 business days by your bank.

9. One Payment Method Per Order

Each order must be paid in full using a single payment method. We do not support split payments across multiple cards or accounts.

10. Gift Cards and Store Credit

If you have a gift card or store credit, you may apply it at checkout. Any remaining balance must be covered by one of our accepted payment methods.

11. Pricing Policy

We do not offer price matching or retroactive price adjustments. All sales are finalized at the price shown at checkout.

12. Questions

For any questions about payments, billing, or refunds, contact our team at info@backstreetbooks.com. We respond within 1 business day.

Company Information

Business name: Backstreet Books
Address: 201 Oneida St, Fulton, NY 13069, United States
E-Mail: info@backstreetbooks.com
Phone: +1 315-598-5669

Customer Service Opening Hours:
Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday-Sunday: Closed
Time Zone: Eastern Time (ET)

Response Time: We respond within 1 business day