Cancellation, Return & Refund Policy
Last updated: 8 August 2026
This Cancellation, Return & Refund Policy explains the circumstances in which an order placed through The Read Write may be cancelled, returned, replaced, or refunded.
The Read Write sells physical books and currently accepts orders for delivery within India only.
We aim to treat all customers fairly while also protecting the business from fraudulent, abusive, or deliberately misleading orders and refund claims.
1. Cancellation Before Dispatch
A customer may request cancellation of an order before the order has been dispatched.
Cancellation requests should be made as soon as possible after placing the order.
A cancellation request is not automatically accepted merely because it has been submitted. The Read Write will first verify the status of the order.
If the order has not yet been processed or dispatched, we will normally accept the cancellation request and, where payment has already been made, initiate the applicable refund.
2. Cancellation After Dispatch
Once an order has been dispatched, customer-requested cancellation will generally not be permitted.
This is because the book has already entered the delivery process and may have incurred packaging, handling, and delivery costs.
A customer who no longer wishes to receive a book after dispatch should not place a cancellation or refund request merely on the ground of a change of mind.
If an order is refused or returned after dispatch for reasons attributable to the customer, including refusal to accept the delivery or an incorrect/incomplete address, The Read Write may deduct applicable delivery, return, handling, or other reasonable costs from any amount eligible for refund.
3. Change of Mind
The Read Write does not generally accept returns or issue refunds simply because a customer has changed their mind after an order has been dispatched.
Customers are therefore advised to carefully check the book title, quantity, edition, delivery address, and other order details before completing the purchase.
This provision is subject to any rights that cannot lawfully be excluded under applicable Indian law.
4. Damaged Books
Customers must inspect the book immediately upon delivery and, wherever possible, in the presence of the delivery person.
If a book is received damaged, torn, wet, materially defective, or otherwise damaged in transit, the customer must:
- Inform the delivery person immediately.
- Take clear photographs of the outer packaging and the damaged book.
- Record a short video showing the condition of the package and book.
- Contact The Read Write within 7 days of delivery.
- Provide the order number together with the photographs and video.
The photographs and video should, as far as reasonably possible, demonstrate that the damage existed at the time of delivery.
Customers should retain the original packaging until the complaint has been resolved.
Claims of transit damage reported after the specified period, or claims submitted without reasonable photographic/video evidence, may be rejected, particularly where the condition of the book at the time of delivery cannot be verified.
The Read Write may request additional evidence where necessary.
5. Incorrect Book Received
If The Read Write sends a book that is different from the book ordered, the customer should notify us within 7 days of delivery and provide:
- Order number
- Photographs of the book received
- A short video showing the package and its contents, where possible
After verification, The Read Write may arrange a replacement or refund, as appropriate.
6. Defective or Missing Book
If a book has a manufacturing defect or an item is missing from the order, the customer should contact The Read Write promptly after delivery.
The customer may be asked to provide photographs, video, order details, and other information necessary to verify the complaint.
After verification, The Read Write may provide a replacement or refund, depending on the circumstances and availability.
7. Non-Delivery or Lost Shipment
If an order does not arrive within a reasonable period, the customer should contact The Read Write.
We may investigate the matter using the tracking information and records of the relevant postal or courier service.
Where the shipment is confirmed as lost or undeliverable and the customer is not responsible for the failure, The Read Write may provide a replacement or refund, as appropriate.
A refund for a shipment reported as missing may be processed only after reasonable verification of the delivery status.
8. Refunds for Refused or Returned Orders
If a customer refuses delivery, provides an incorrect or incomplete address, remains unavailable for delivery, or otherwise causes an order to be returned to The Read Write, the customer may be responsible for the applicable delivery and return costs.
Any refund in such circumstances will be considered after the returned package has been received and verified.
The Read Write may deduct reasonable delivery, return, packaging, or handling costs from the refundable amount, to the extent permitted by applicable law.
9. Fraudulent or Abusive Cancellation and Refund Requests
The Read Write reserves the right to review orders and refund requests for signs of fraud, abuse, manipulation, or repeated misuse of the cancellation and refund process.
Examples may include:
- Repeatedly placing and cancelling orders without a genuine reason.
- Repeatedly refusing delivery.
- Providing false or misleading information.
- Making repeated damage claims that cannot be reasonably verified.
- Submitting photographs or videos that do not correspond to the relevant order.
- Attempting to obtain a refund while retaining the book.
- Using multiple accounts or identities to circumvent reasonable order restrictions.
- Any other conduct that reasonably indicates an attempt to misuse the ordering or refund system.
Where there are reasonable grounds to suspect fraudulent or abusive activity, The Read Write may place an order on hold, request additional information, decline a cancellation or refund request, or refuse future orders, subject to applicable law.
The Read Write may retain relevant transaction and communication records where necessary to investigate suspected fraud or comply with legal requirements.
10. Refund Verification
A refund is not considered approved merely because a customer has submitted a request.
The Read Write may first verify:
- The order details
- Payment status
- Dispatch and delivery status
- Photographs or videos submitted by the customer
- Courier or postal records
- The condition of the returned book, where applicable
- Other information reasonably necessary to determine the validity of the claim
Once a refund is approved, it will normally be initiated through the original payment method or another appropriate payment method.
11. Refund Processing Time
After a refund has been approved, the time taken for the amount to appear in the customer's account may depend on the payment gateway, bank, card issuer, UPI provider, or other financial institution.
The Read Write will not be responsible for delays caused solely by a bank, payment service provider, or other third-party financial institution after the refund has been initiated.
12. No Cash Refunds
Unless specifically agreed otherwise, refunds will not normally be provided in cash.
Refunds will generally be made through the original payment method or another traceable payment method.
13. Promotional or Discounted Orders
Orders purchased using promotional discounts, special offers, coupons, or other promotional benefits may be subject to additional terms applicable to that offer.
Where an order is cancelled or refunded, the value of promotional benefits may not be refundable in cash unless specifically stated in the relevant offer.
14. The Read Write's Right to Cancel an Order
The Read Write reserves the right to cancel an order in circumstances including:
- The book becoming unavailable.
- An obvious pricing or technical error.
- Payment failure or reversal.
- An incorrect or unverifiable order.
- Suspected fraudulent or abusive activity.
- Delivery being reasonably impossible.
- Circumstances beyond The Read Write's reasonable control.
Where The Read Write cancels an order after receiving payment, the eligible amount will be refunded to the customer through an appropriate payment method.
15. Statutory Consumer Rights
Nothing in this Policy is intended to remove, restrict, or override any consumer right or legal remedy that cannot lawfully be excluded under applicable Indian law.
Where applicable law provides a customer with a mandatory right to cancellation, return, replacement, or refund, that right will continue to apply.
16. Contact Us
For cancellation, return, or refund requests, please contact:
The Read Write
Email: support@thereadwrite.com
Please include your order number in all cancellation, return, and refund communications.