Barnes and Noble Return Policy: Simplified
Your go-to guide for understanding Barnes and Noble Return Policy!
Barnes and Noble is a well-known bookseller in the USA, offering a wide range of books, magazines, NOOK e-readers, and other fun merchandise. If you’ve ever bought something from them and needed to return it, you know that return policies can sometimes feel like a puzzle.
But don’t worry! I’ve gone through the Barnes and Noble Return Policy to break it down for you in simple terms. Let’s figure out how you can return items, whether you bought them online at bn.com or in one of their physical stores.
Barnes and Noble Return Policy Overview
Here’s a handy table to give you a quick overview of what to expect:
| Feature | Details |
| Return Window (bn.com) | Within 30 days after the delivery date. |
| Return Window (In-Store) | Within 30 days of purchase (with store sales receipt). |
| NOOK Device Return Window | Within 14 days of purchase (from B&N store or receipt from bn.com). |
| Gift Return Window | bn.com gifts: within 60 days of purchase. In-store gifts (with gift receipt): within 60 days of purchase. |
| Item Condition for Return | Must be in original condition. Shrink-wrapped or sealed products must be unopened (unless defective). New and unread/unopened for in-store purchases. |
| Refund Method | Generally to original form of payment. Exceptions include PayPal/textbook returns to store (get store credit), and gifted items (get B&N Gift Card/store credit). |
| Return Shipping (bn.com) | You pay for return shipping. Shipping fees are not refunded. |
| Proof of Purchase Needed | Yes. Packing slip, order confirmation e-mail, or billing summary for bn.com. Store sales receipt for in-store purchases. |
| Major Exclusions | Opened shrink-wrapped items (unless defective), magazines, newspapers, used books, digital content (eBooks, audiobooks), gift cards, bulk orders (50+ copies). |
| Return to Store Option? | Yes, for both bn.com and in-store purchases. |
Please note: This table is a summary. Always refer to the specific sections below for full details, as conditions and exceptions apply.
Returning Items You Bought from bn.com
If you purchased an item from Barnes & Noble’s website, bn.com, here’s what you need to know.
The Golden Rule: 30 Days and Original Condition
If you’re not satisfied with your bn.com purchase, you can return it for a refund of the purchase price plus any applicable taxes.
- Timeframe: You have 30 days after the delivery date to make your return.
- Condition: All items must be in their original condition. If an item was shrink-wrapped or sealed, it must be returned unopened.
- Shipping Fees: Heads up! Shipping fees are not refunded.
Two Ways to Return Your bn.com Purchase
You have a couple of options for getting that item back to them:
In Barnes & Noble Store
This is often the easiest way!
- What to Bring: Take the item along with your packing slip, Order Confirmation e-mail, or Billing Summary email to Barnes and Noble store. You’ll also need your original form of payment.
- Special Note for PayPal & Textbook Returns: If you paid using PayPal, or if you’re returning a textbook purchased on bn.com, the store will issue your refund as a store credit. This might be a Barnes & Noble Gift Card or an in-store credit.
Option 2: Ship It Back to Them
If you can’t make it to a store, you can mail your return.
- Packing Slip is Key: Your original packing slip should have specific instructions for returns. Barnes & Noble provides a pre-printed return label with their Returns Department Address on it.
- What if the Packing Slip is Missing? No worries! If your shipment didn’t include a packing slip or you can’t find it, print out the Shipping Confirmation email you received when the item shipped. Include this printout in the box. Crucially, write your Order Number on the outside of the box. Without one of these (packing slip or shipping confirmation printout), they cannot process your return, and you won’t get a refund.
- Sent the Wrong Item? If Barnes & Noble made a mistake and sent you an item you didn’t order, make sure to indicate on the Packing Slip or Shipping Confirmation what item(s) you were supposed to receive. This helps the warehouse process it correctly.
- Shipping Address for General bn.com Returns:
Barnes & Noble
Returns Department
ORDER #: (Insert Your Order Number)
1 Barnes and Noble Way
Monroe Township, NJ 08831 - Important: You Pay for Return Shipping! The return label provided is not a prepaid label. This means you will be responsible for paying the shipping costs to send the item back. And, as mentioned, these shipping charges are non-refundable.
Returning a Gift from bn.com?
If you received a gift that was purchased on bn.com and need to return it, you’ll be issued a Barnes & Noble Gift Card for the purchase price of the item. Make sure to return it within 60 days of the original purchase date. The packing slip with the gift should have specific instructions for these returns, and they provide a pre-printed return label.
Bought It In-Store? Here’s How to Return It
If you made your purchase at a physical Barnes & Noble store, the process is a bit different.
The 30-Day Rule and Your Receipt
You can get a full refund for the original purchase price (including any taxes) if you meet these conditions:
- Timeframe: The return must be made within 30 days of the purchase date.
- Proof of Purchase: You need your store sales receipt.
- Item Condition: The merchandise must be new and unread/unopened.
How You’ll Get Your Money Back
- Original Payment Method: Generally, refunds are given in your original form of tender. If you paid with a credit card, debit card, or mobile payment, you must have that original form of payment present at the time of return.
- No Original Payment Method? If the original form of payment isn’t available, you’ll receive store credit in the form of an electronic gift card.
- Textbook Returns: The policy states that a store credit will also be issued for all textbook returns made in-store (this applies to textbooks bought in a store).
Returning a Gift with a Gift Receipt (In-Store)
If you’re returning an item you received as a gift and you have a gift receipt, you can get store credit.
- Refund Type: You’ll be issued store credit in the form of an electronic gift card for the purchase price.
- Timeframe: This needs to be done within 60 days of the original purchase date.
Those “Buy X, Get Y Free” Deals
Picked up items during a “Buy X, Get Y Free” promotion? Here’s how returns work:
- Exchange Only: These items are typically available for exchange only.
- Exception for Full Refund: If you return all items purchased as part of the offer, then you can get a refund (within the usual 30-day window).
- Exchanges for Free Items: If you’re exchanging the “free” item (the Y in “Buy X, Get Y Free”), it can only be for items of equal or lesser value than the original cost of that free item.
Important Reminders for In-Store Returns
- Strict 30-Day/Receipt Policy: Returns or exchanges are not permitted after 30 days, or if you don’t have a receipt, or for products not carried by Barnes & Noble.
- Any Store Will Do: You can return an item purchased from one Barnes & Noble store to a different Barnes & Noble store, as long as it’s within the return timeframe and meets all other conditions. For example, something bought in a New York City store can be returned to a New Jersey store.
Special Cases: Return Exceptions to Know About
Some items have their own special rules or cannot be returned at all.
Returning NOOK Devices
NOOK e-readers have a more specific return policy.
- The 14-Day Window: You can return your undamaged NOOK within 14 days of purchase from a B&N store or 14 days from the receipt date if bought on bn.com.
- How to Return Your NOOK:
- Option 1: Contact for Authorization: Contact Barnes & Noble for a return authorization (RMA). It’s very important to get this RMA if you plan to mail your NOOK back.
- Option 2: Return to a Store: You can also return the NOOK to any Barnes & Noble store.
- Heads Up! RMA Needed for Mail Returns: If you mail your NOOK to the returns center without getting an RMA first, or if you send it to the wrong address, no refund will be provided, and your NOOK will not be returned to you. Shipping charges for NOOK returns are also non-refundable.
- NOOKs from Other Sellers: If you bought your NOOK from a retailer or seller other than Barnes & Noble (either bn.com or a B&N store), you must return it to that specific retailer or seller according to their own return policy.
- Defective NOOKs: If your NOOK is defective, it may be exchanged at a store or by contacting Barnes & Noble (the policy says “by clicking here to contact us”), in accordance with the applicable warranty.
- NOOK Return Addresses (if mailing):
- Before mailing any NOOK device to a returns center, you must contact Customer Service to get a valid Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA).
- Warranty-Related NOOK Returns: These should be mailed to:
HOBI International, Inc.
9191 W. Buckeye Rd., Ste. 119
Tollerson, AZ 85353
The policy advises contacting them for assistance (through Customer Service) before mailing a warranty-related NOOK return. - Regular NOOK Returns (within 14 days, or 60 days with a Gift Receipt): These should be mailed to:
Barnes and Noble Return Center
5 Barnes and Noble Way
Monroe, NJ 08831
(Note: This address is slightly different from the general bn.com returns address.)
Items That Cannot Be Returned
Barnes & Noble lists several items that are generally not eligible for return or exchange:
- Opened Shrink-Wrapped or Sealed Products: If a product came in shrink-wrap or was otherwise sealed, and you’ve opened it or removed it from its original packaging, it cannot be returned.
- Exception for Defective Items: If such an item is defective, it can be exchanged for the same product. For help with this, you can visit a Barnes & Noble store or contact Customer Service
- Magazines and Newspapers
- Used Books
- Shipping Fees (as mentioned earlier)
- Digital Content: This includes eBooks, audiobooks, digital magazines, digital newspapers, and Access Codes.
- Gift Cards
- Shrink-wrapped items that have been opened (reiterated for clarity).
- Help with Digital Content Issues: If you have compatibility or quality problems with your digital content, Barnes & Noble advises you to contact them for assistance.
- Memberships and Subscriptions: These have additional eligibility rules. The policy directs you to “Click here for Barnes & Noble Membership Terms & Conditions.” It does note that subscriptions can be cancelled at any time, and you may receive a full or partial refund for any unused/unredeemed portion.
- Bulk Orders: Orders of 50 or more copies of a single item are non-returnable.
All About Your Refund
Getting your money back is, of course, a key part of any return!
How Barnes & Noble Issues Refunds
Whenever possible, Barnes & Noble will issue refunds back to the method of payment you originally used. As we’ve seen, there are exceptions, like PayPal or textbook returns to a store resulting in store credit.
When You Might Get a Check
Sometimes, they might issue your refund in the form of a check that is mailed to you.
- All checks are issued in United States Dollars.
- If your original purchase involved an international currency (for example, if they reimbursed return shipping fees for damaged/incorrect items from another country), the check value will be based on the conversion rate from your local currency.
Pro Tips for Smooth Barnes & Noble Returns
I’ve learned a few tricks to make the process smoother. Based on Barnes & Noble’s policy, here are some tips:
- Guard That Proof of Purchase: Whether it’s a packing slip, order confirmation email, or a store receipt, keep it safe until you’re sure you’re keeping the item. It’s your golden ticket for returns.
- Inspect Before You Unseal: For items that are shrink-wrapped or sealed, give them a good look-over before you open them if you think there’s any chance you might return them. Once opened, they’re generally not returnable unless defective.
- bn.com Mail Return? Label It Right: If you’re mailing back a bn.com purchase and can’t find the packing slip, make sure to print your shipping confirmation email AND clearly write your Order Number on the outside of the box.
- NOOK Returns by Mail: RMA is a Must! Seriously, don’t skip this. Contact Customer Service for that Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) before you mail any NOOK device, and double-check you’re using the correct mailing address for your specific NOOK return type (warranty vs. regular).
- Time is Ticking: Pay close attention to the return windows – 30 days for most items, 14 days for NOOKs. Set a reminder if you need to!
Common Questions
Contacting Barnes & Noble
If you have more questions or need help with a specific return situation, the policy page lists these ways to get in touch:
- Chat: Live chat is available every day from 9 AM to 9 PM Eastern Time.
- Email: Email them, and they state they’ll get back to you soon.
Summary
Navigating return policies can be tricky, but hopefully, this breakdown makes returning items to Barnes & Noble a bit clearer. Always remember to check the specific details for your situation, especially regarding timeframes and item conditions, to ensure a smooth process!
Happy Shopping!
Return policies can change over time. While this article aims to provide accurate information based on the policy at the time of writing, it’s always a good idea to double-check the return policy on official Barnes and Noble website for the most up-to-date return policy details. For any specific questions or situations not covered here, the official website or contacting Barnes & Noble Customer Service directly is the best resource.
