DEEP Publishing values its relationships with independent bookstores and retail partners. We intentionally offer flexible opening quantities so booksellers can order conservatively, evaluate customer demand, and reorder as needed.

This Wholesale Return, Refund & Replacement Policy applies only to qualifying wholesale orders purchased directly from DEEP Publishing by approved bookstores, booksellers, and retail partners.

It does not apply to individual consumer purchases. Consumer purchases remain subject to DEEP Publishing's separate Return, Refund & Replacement Policy.

1. Wholesale Return Eligibility

Qualifying unsigned books purchased directly from DEEP Publishing on approved wholesale terms may be eligible for return subject to all requirements of this policy.

A book is not automatically eligible for return simply because it was purchased at wholesale.

To qualify for return, each copy must:

• Be unsigned;
• Remain unopened;
• Remain in its original factory shrink wrap;
• Have its original factory seal substantially intact;
• Be unread;
• Be unmarked;
• Be free from bookstore stickers, labels, security devices, writing, or other alterations that prevent resale as new;
• Be undamaged;
• Be in new and fully resalable condition;
• Have been purchased directly from DEEP Publishing under returnable wholesale terms;
• Be associated with the original wholesale order or invoice; and
• Meet all applicable return deadlines and authorization requirements.

All returns require prior written authorization from DEEP Publishing.

Bookstores must not ship merchandise to DEEP Publishing without first requesting and receiving written approval.

2. Signed Books Are Final Sale

All signed books are final sale and nonreturnable.

This includes, but is not limited to:

• Signed editions;
• Author-signed stock;
• Personalized or inscribed copies;
• Limited signed editions;
• Signed preorder editions;
• Signed promotional or event stock;
• Specially allocated signed inventory; and
• Any book signed, personalized, altered, or specially prepared at the bookstore's request.

Because signed inventory requires additional preparation and cannot be returned to DEEP Publishing's standard factory-sealed inventory, signed books are not eligible for ordinary wholesale returns.

This restriction does not apply when an item arrives materially damaged, defective, or incorrectly fulfilled. Such issues are handled under the Damage, Defect & Fulfillment Claims section below.

3. Opened Books Are Not Returnable

Unsigned books are returnable only while they remain unopened in their original factory shrink wrap.

Once the original shrink wrap has been removed or materially opened, the copy becomes final sale and nonreturnable.

Bookstores may open copies for:

• Store display;
• Staff review;
• Customer browsing;
• Bookseller recommendations;
• Events; or
• Other merchandising purposes.

However, once opened, that individual copy is no longer eligible for return.

Opening one copy does not affect the return eligibility of the remaining qualifying factory-sealed copies from the same order.

For example, if a bookstore purchases 10 unsigned copies, opens two for display and sells four, the remaining four may still qualify for return if they remain factory sealed and otherwise satisfy this policy.

4. Return Authorization Is Required

Do not mail or ship books back to DEEP Publishing without written authorization.

Before returning any merchandise, the bookstore must contact DEEP Publishing at bookstores@deep-publishing.com and request a return authorization.

Subject line:

Wholesale Return Request – Order #[Order Number]

The request should include:

• Bookstore name;
• Contact person's name;
• Original order or invoice number;
• Title;
• ISBN;
• Format;
• Quantity originally purchased;
• Quantity requested for return;
• Confirmation that all copies requested for return are unsigned;
• Reason for the requested return; and
• Confirmation that all requested copies remain unopened in their original factory shrink wrap and are in new, resalable condition.

DEEP Publishing may request photographs or additional documentation before approving a return.

Submitting a return request does not guarantee approval.

5. Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA)

If DEEP Publishing approves a return request, we will issue written return authorization and may assign the return a Return Merchandise Authorization ("RMA") number.

The RMA identifies the specific return DEEP Publishing has authorized.

Authorization may specify:

• RMA number;
• Approved title and ISBN;
• Approved format;
• Approved quantity;
• Return address;
• Shipping deadline;
• Packaging requirements; and
• Additional return instructions.

An RMA authorizes merchandise to be shipped to DEEP Publishing for inspection. It does not guarantee a refund or credit.

Final eligibility is determined after the returned merchandise is received and inspected.

Only merchandise specifically identified in the authorization may be returned.

6. Unauthorized Returns

DEEP Publishing does not accept unauthorized wholesale returns.

Merchandise shipped without prior written authorization may:

• Be refused upon delivery;
• Be denied refund or credit;
• Be held pending instructions from the sender; or
• Be returned to the sender at the sender's expense.

DEEP Publishing is not responsible for shipping, handling, storage, or other expenses associated with unauthorized returns.

A bookstore should never assume that merchandise is returnable or deduct an anticipated return amount from an outstanding invoice without written approval from DEEP Publishing.

7. Return Window

Return requests for eligible unsigned wholesale inventory must be submitted within 120 days of delivery.

A return request submitted after the applicable return period may be declined.

If a return is approved, the bookstore must ship the authorized merchandise within 14 calendar days of approval, unless DEEP Publishing provides a different deadline in writing.

If the bookstore does not ship the merchandise within the authorization period, the authorization may expire and a new request may be required.

8. Return Shipping Costs

For ordinary returns of unsold wholesale inventory, the bookstore is responsible for all return shipping costs.

Return shipping is not reimbursed by DEEP Publishing.

The bookstore is responsible for:

• Return postage or freight;
• Appropriate packaging;
• Tracking; and
• Ensuring the merchandise reaches DEEP Publishing in acceptable condition.

DEEP Publishing recommends using a trackable shipping service.

The bookstore remains responsible for the merchandise until the authorized return is delivered to DEEP Publishing.

9. Condition of Returned Merchandise

Returned books must arrive in new and resalable condition.

Eligibility may be denied for copies that arrive:

• Opened;
• Without their original factory shrink wrap;
• With materially broken or removed shrink wrap;
• Read or visibly handled;
• Written in;
• Stickered or labeled in a manner that prevents resale as new;
• Stamped;
• Price-marked;
• Security-tagged in a manner that damages the product;
• Scratched;
• Torn;
• Bent;
• Water damaged;
• Crushed;
• Excessively scuffed;
• Otherwise damaged; or
• In a condition that prevents DEEP Publishing from reasonably reselling the book as new.

Normal characteristics of factory shrink wrapping, including seams or minor manufacturing variations, will not by themselves make an otherwise unopened book ineligible.

10. Packaging Returned Books

Bookstores are responsible for packaging returns adequately to prevent damage during transit.

Books should not be shipped loose in an oversized carton without appropriate protection.

If DEEP Publishing issues an RMA number, the RMA number must be included as instructed in the authorization.

DEEP Publishing may require:

• The RMA number on the exterior of the carton;
• A copy of the authorization inside the carton; and/or
• Other identifying information necessary to process the return.

Damage occurring during return transit may make affected copies ineligible for refund or credit.

11. Inspection of Returns

All returned merchandise is subject to inspection after delivery to DEEP Publishing.

Receipt of a package does not constitute acceptance of the return.

DEEP Publishing will verify, as applicable:

• Quantity;
• Title;
• ISBN;
• Format;
• Original order;
• Signature status;
• Factory seal;
• Physical condition; and
• Resale eligibility.

Only copies satisfying the Wholesale Return Policy will qualify for refund or credit.

If some copies qualify and others do not, DEEP Publishing may approve the eligible copies and deny the remaining copies.

12. Refunds and Credits for Approved Returns

Approved returns will be refunded or credited based on the actual net wholesale purchase price paid to DEEP Publishing, not the book's retail list price.

For example, a bookstore purchasing a $32.99 book at a 50% wholesale discount is not entitled to a $32.99 refund for a returned copy. Any approved refund or credit will be based on the actual wholesale amount paid for that copy.

DEEP Publishing may issue an approved return as:

• A refund to the original payment method; or
• A bookstore account credit,

as specified in the applicable wholesale terms or return authorization.

If refunded to the original payment method, processing times may vary depending on the bank, card issuer, or payment provider.

13. Damaged, Defective, or Incorrect Wholesale Orders

A damaged, defective, or incorrectly fulfilled item is not treated as an ordinary unsold-inventory return.

Bookstores should contact DEEP Publishing immediately, but no later than 7 days after delivery, at bookstores@deep-publishing.com.

Subject line:

Wholesale Replacement Request – Order #[Order Number]

Please include:

• Bookstore name;
• Contact person;
• Order number;
• Item affected;
• Quantity affected;
• Description of the problem;
• Clear photographs of the affected item; and
• Photographs of the shipping carton and packaging when applicable.

DEEP Publishing will review the claim and determine whether the item qualifies for replacement, refund, or credit.

Submitting a claim does not guarantee approval.

14. Signed Books That Arrive Damaged or Defective

Although signed books are final sale, bookstores remain protected if a signed copy arrives materially damaged, defective, or incorrectly fulfilled.

If an approved signed copy is damaged or defective, DEEP Publishing may, at its discretion:

• Replace the copy with another signed copy;
• Replace it with another agreed edition;
• Issue wholesale account credit; or
• Issue a refund if an appropriate replacement is unavailable.

The bookstore must not return the damaged signed copy unless DEEP Publishing specifically instructs it to do so in writing.

If DEEP requires an approved, damaged, defective, or incorrect item to be returned, DEEP will provide instructions regarding return shipping.

15. What Counts as Damage?

For wholesale claims, qualifying damage may include:

• A torn, detached, or severely bent cover;
• Significant damage to a dust jacket;
• Missing, torn, loose, misprinted, or unreadable pages;
• Serious binding defects;
• Incorrect book or edition;
• Incorrect quantity;
• Significant production or printing defects; or
• Other material damage affecting the book's structure, appearance, or ability to be sold as new.

Minor manufacturing or cosmetic variation does not necessarily constitute damage.

Examples may include:

• Slight corner wear;
• Light cover marks;
• Minor scuffing;
• Minor corner bumps;
• Small printing variations;
• Slight color differences;
• Minor manufacturing differences;
• Minor variations in signature placement or ink; or
• Other minor variations that do not materially affect the book's usability or saleability.

16. Third-Party Purchases

This policy applies only to qualifying wholesale orders purchased directly from DEEP Publishing.

Books purchased through another distributor, wholesaler, marketplace, retailer, or third party are governed by the applicable seller's terms.

DEEP Publishing will not issue wholesale refunds or credits for inventory purchased from another source.

17. Excessive Returns and Misuse of Return Privileges

DEEP Publishing reserves the right to review wholesale return privileges in cases involving:

• Repeated excessive ordering followed by disproportionate returns;
• Attempts to return merchandise not purchased directly from DEEP Publishing;
• Returns of altered, opened, or otherwise ineligible merchandise;
• Material misrepresentation of the condition or eligibility of returned merchandise;
• Repeated failure to comply with DEEP Publishing’s return authorization procedures; or
• Other misuse of the wholesale return program.

DEEP Publishing may modify, limit, or discontinue return privileges for individual wholesale accounts where reasonably necessary.