Seeing a negative number in your sales is normal — it is a refund or return that a store reported after the original sale.
Why it happens
- A reader returned an ebook or audiobook within the store's window.
- A store corrected a previously over-reported sale.
- A chargeback was processed.
Because the original sale was already counted (and may have already been part of a payout), the reversal shows up later as a negative transaction that nets against your balance.
Is it a problem?
Usually not — a small return rate is normal for every author. Watch for:
- A sudden spike in returns on one title, which can signal a quality or expectation mismatch (for example a misleading description). Tighten your metadata.
- Patterns tied to a specific store.
Where to see it
Your sales data and analytics shows these alongside positive sales, and they are already reflected in your reconciled payout.
Still need help? Open a ticket from your dashboard or email [email protected] — a real person replies.