Ebates Review: Is it legit or a scam? How to use Ebates to get cash back shopping. Tips, hacks, and everything you need to know.
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It’s got to be a scam. Or there has to be some catch. It’s advertised on TV. It just doesn’t make sense. Why would a company give me cash back for shopping somewhere else?!
But I gave it a try. This was over three years ago.
And what happened?
Well, they gave me $10 free after my first purchase. And cash back on my shopping trip to Amazon. Yep, seriously.
No points I had to redeem for gift cards. No arguments. The cash back and $10 bonus for signing up showed up on my Ebates balance. And the next time they issued money (they issue your balance to you four times a year), the money showed up in my PayPal account. (You can also get a check issued).
>>>JOIN EBATES AND GET $10 FREE<<<
Above is a screenshot of my most most recent balance of 4/21/20. I’ve been a member for less than 3 years. And gotten over $900 back. On stuff I was already going to buy!
I’m going to be straight-up honest though, if you’re buying stuff just to get cash back, you’re wasting money. Or if you’re buying new because of this (or cash back rewards on your credit cards), when you would normally buy used…you’re wasting money.
How It Works
1. Sign up using this link: Join Ebates.
2. On the top (see image below), on the very right, there will be an option to “Join Now”. Click that.
3. You can sign up using your Google or Facebook i.d. or using your e-mail. (I use my e-mail).
4. There are multiple ways you can use Ebates to shop:
- You can go directly to the Ebates page. Click on the store you want to shop at. Then click “Shop Now.” It will direct you to the stores website. Shop like normal. And your cash back will be credit to your account in a few days.
- You can install the Ebates (Rakuten) extension to your browser. I definitely have this. Once you install, if you visit a site that has cash back, a little box will pop up telling you that you can get cash back. Click it. Shop like normal. And your cash back will be credited to your account in a few days.
• Ebates/Rakuten also has an app! While the deals are always changing, there are special “in app” only deals, such as UberEats, Groupon, and more.
>>>JOIN EBATES AND GET $10 FREE<<<
how to get your money
A few days after you shop, your account will be credited. They send your money quarterly (as long as you have more than $5 balance…which you will, since they’re giving you $10 FREE).
You can choose where to get your money by going to “Account Settings” (click on your name in the upper right-hand corner and a menu will appear).
Once you click, scroll down. You can choose to be paid via PayPal, a check, or American Express Rewards Points (the last is new).
Frequently Asked Question
You read the info above. And saw it’s easy to sign up. And easy to make a purchase. But you might still have some questions. So here are some answers to Ebates/Rakuten frequently asked questions.
I went to the site and it was called “Rakuten.” Is this the same as Ebates?
—Yes , it is! They changed names a couple of years ago.
Is Ebates free?
—Yes, absolutely. It doesn’t and won’t ever cost you a cent to use the service.
Do you recommend it?
—Yes, absolutely. I use it all the time. And with the extension I talked about above, it automatically pops up on my screen to get cash back when I visit a qualified store.
How much do I get back?
—It depends upon the store and the time. I shop at Macy’s a lot. It usually varies between 2% and 8%, but I’ve seen it higher. Other stores are regularly 10%. And Ebates has double cash back days! Watch for those.
I’m a Macy’s card holder, and they give me rewards. When I have cash there, I wait until an Ebates double cash-back day to go spend it.
Why is Rakuten/Ebates doing this? How are they making money out of the deal?
—That was my first question. But now that I know more about affiliate marketing, it makes sense. Lots of stores have affiliate programs. Basically, if I convince you to click and link to a store and you make a purchase, I get a small percentage.
So what Ebates did is exactly that. Except they’re giving us a small percentage of that small percentage. And since they’re driving huge volumes of sales to these stores, the stores are probably giving them a higher percentage than a smaller blogger would get.
I forgot to go through Ebates/Rakuten. Can I still get cash back?
—Nope. You have to go directly from Ebates to the store. Or use the browser button, push “activate,” and purchase while you’re there.
It’s Legit…You have to join
Ebates is most definitely legit. I’ve been using it for almost three years. And still using it. In fact, I just bought a swimsuit from Macy’s! And got $5.32 back on it.
And have recommended it to everyone I know. What are you waiting for? Go get your free $10! Click below.
>>>JOIN EBATES AND GET $10 FREE<<<
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