Note: DNE is currently available for K-12 customers only.

What is a Do Not Exceed (DNE) Order?

The Do Not Exceed (DNE) feature allows you to build a cart with additional "backup" titles.

When one of your preferred titles becomes unavailable, Playaway will automatically substitute one of your selected backup titles—without exceeding the total budget you specified.

This helps ensure you receive as many items as possible while staying within your approved spending limit.

How It Works

When creating your cart, you'll enter a Do Not Exceed amount.

You'll then:

Add all of the titles you'd like to purchase.
Designate which titles are your primary selections.
Mark any additional titles as backup (secondary) titles.

If every primary title is available, you'll receive exactly those titles.

If one or more primary titles become unavailable, our Customer Experience team will replace them with your selected backup titles while keeping your order within your DNE amount.

Creating a DNE Order

Step 1: Create a new cart

Create a new cart as you normally would.

Step 2: Enter your Do Not Exceed amount

When creating the cart, enter the maximum amount you'd like your order to total.

If you leave this field blank, your cart will function as a standard order without DNE functionality.

Step 3: Add your titles

Add all of the titles you want to be considered for the order.

This includes both:

Primary titles you want shipped first
Backup titles that can replace unavailable items

Step 4: Mark backup titles

For any title that should only be used as a replacement, check the DNE checkbox.

Checked titles become your backup selections.

Unchecked titles remain your primary selections.

Step 5: Review your totals

Once you've marked backup titles:

The cost of your primary order is shown separately.
The value of your backup titles appears as DNE Extra Titles.

This allows you to easily see:

Your current order total
The value of your replacement options

Step 6: Complete your shopping

The Complete Shopping button will remain unavailable until your primary cart total is at or below your Do Not Exceed amount.

Once your primary order falls within the DNE limit, you're ready to submit your order.

What Happens After I Submit My Order?

When your order is fulfilled:

All primary (unchecked) titles will be shipped whenever possible.
If a primary title is unavailable, our Customer Experience team will substitute one of your selected backup (checked) titles.
Substitutions will only be made from the backup titles you've selected.
Your order will remain within your specified Do Not Exceed amount.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I choose which backup titles replace unavailable items?

Yes. Only the titles you've marked with the DNE checkbox will be used as possible replacements. The Customer Experience team will consider cost, content and age level when making substitutions.

Will I receive both the primary and backup titles?

No. Backup titles are only used if one or more primary titles cannot be fulfilled.

What happens if all of my primary titles are available?

You'll receive your primary selections, and none of the backup titles will be shipped.

Can I add DNE to an existing cart?

Yes. Select "Edit Cart Details" to add your Do Not Exceed amount and then designate backup titles using the DNE checkbox.

Need Help?

If you have questions about creating a Do Not Exceed order, contact our Customer Experience team at cx@playaway.com. We're happy to help.