Glossary · Selling & distribution
What are book returns on IngramSpark?
Definition
Returns (IngramSpark): Returns let bookstores send unsold copies back for a refund. On IngramSpark you choose whether your book is returnable, and you pay for returns.
In the book trade, bookstores traditionally buy stock on the understanding that they can return copies that do not sell. This lowers their risk when stocking an unknown title. When you distribute a print book through IngramSpark, you choose a returns policy: not returnable, returnable with the copies destroyed, or returnable with the copies shipped back to you (options and names may vary by market — check IngramSpark's current settings).
If you allow returns, you bear the cost. When a store returns a copy, the amount you were paid for that sale is deducted from your account, and depending on the option you chose, you may also pay for shipping the books back. Returns can arrive months after the original sale, and a large return can wipe out a period's earnings or even leave a negative balance.
Why accept them? Many bookstores — especially chains and independent shops ordering for their shelves — will not stock a book that is non-returnable. If physical bookstore placement is a real goal (for example, local shops or events where you have a relationship), returnable plus a standard wholesale discount gives you the best chance.
If your sales are mainly online, where books are printed to order and returns are rare, many self-publishers choose non-returnable to avoid the risk. You can usually change the setting later, though changes may take time to filter through.