Return and Refund Policy

Effective Date: June 13, 2026

We want every purchase from Backstreet Books to meet your expectations. If it doesn’t, we’ve made returning an item as simple as possible. This policy covers your return rights, how to start the process, and how refunds work.

Return Eligibility

Return Window

  • Returns are accepted within 30 days of the delivery date — not the order date
  • Items must be in unused, original condition with all parts and packaging included
  • All original inserts, accessories, and packaging materials must be present
  • Books must be free of writing, highlighting, folded pages, or any damage not present at the time of delivery

Items That Cannot Be Returned

  • Items showing signs of use, wear, or damage caused after delivery
  • Products returned without proof of purchase
  • Books purchased from a third-party retailer (we can only process returns for direct Backstreet Books purchases)

Who Pays for Return Shipping

Defective, Damaged, or Incorrect Items

If the item you received is damaged in transit, defective, or not what you ordered, we cover all return shipping costs. We’ll send you a prepaid return label and issue a full refund or replacement — no charge to you.

Change of Mind Returns

Changed your mind or ordered the wrong title? You can still return the item within 30 days, but return shipping costs are your responsibility. We recommend using a trackable shipping service to ensure safe delivery back to us.

Lost or Undelivered Orders

If your order never arrives and tracking confirms it is lost or undeliverable:

  • Contact us at info@backstreetbooks.com right away
  • We’ll work with the carrier to investigate
  • If the package cannot be located within 7 business days, we’ll issue a full refund or ship a replacement at no additional cost

How to Return an Item

  1. Email Us First: Send a message to info@backstreetbooks.com with:
    • Your order number (from your confirmation email)
    • The item(s) you’d like to return
    • Your reason for returning (wrong item, defective, change of mind, etc.)
    • Photos, if the item is damaged or incorrect
  2. Await Our Response: We’ll review your request and reply with next steps within 1 business day
  3. Receive Authorization: If approved, we’ll provide a Return Authorization (RA) number and return instructions. A prepaid label will be included for defective or incorrect items
  4. Pack the Item: Use the original packaging or equivalent protective materials. Include your RA number inside or on the outside of the parcel
  5. Ship It Back: Drop off the package at the appropriate carrier location or schedule a pickup if using our prepaid label

Important: Do not ship anything back without a Return Authorization number. Unauthorized returns may be delayed or declined.

Refund Process

Inspection

Once your return arrives, we inspect the item to confirm it meets our return criteria — unused condition, all packaging included, within the 30-day window. Inspection typically takes 1–2 business days.

Approval and Processing

If your return is approved:

  • Refunds are processed within 7–10 business days of receiving your return
  • The refund is issued to your original payment method (card, PayPal, etc.)
  • You’ll receive a confirmation email once the refund is issued

Timeline to See Funds

After we process your refund, allow your bank an additional 3–7 business days to post the credit. The full timeline from return receipt to account credit is typically 10–17 business days.

Partial Refunds

In some situations, we may issue a partial refund — for example, if an item shows signs of use, is missing components, or is returned after the 30-day window. We will always contact you to explain any adjustment before processing it. Partial refunds for missing packaging reflect the reduced resale value of an incomplete return and are not restocking fees.

Exchanges

To exchange an item for a different title or edition:

  1. Email info@backstreetbooks.com within 30 days of delivery
  2. Let us know which item you have and what you’d like instead
  3. We’ll process the original item as a return and place a new order for the replacement

Exchanges depend on availability. If the desired item is out of stock, we’ll issue a full refund instead.

Restocking Fees

We do not charge restocking fees. Returning an item at Backstreet Books is always free of penalties. The only cost a customer may incur is return shipping for change-of-mind returns.

Your Consumer Rights

This policy does not limit or override any statutory consumer rights you hold under applicable federal or state law. If you believe your rights have not been upheld, please contact us or consult a consumer protection authority.

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