Shop online, get money back...What's the catch?
Written: Aug 06 '01 (Updated Dec 10 '02)
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The Bottom Line
So far it seems like a great site. I am going to shop so might as well try to get money back for it. Still waiting for the catch...
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I'm not sure how I came upon the site EBates.com, however I can tell you I am enjoying the site.
Why Buy Online
I am an avid online shopper. I would much rather buy a gift or item online and have it delivered to the person or myself than have to go to the mall. I am able to avoid traffic; the frustration of looking for a parking spot, long lines and it saves time also. Some items that I buy online often are books/audio books, kitchen supplies/appliances, garden supplies,
What I like about Ebates.com
Ebates has over 400 reputable stores to choose from online. Which means lots of new stores to explore. But no need to be intimated by the number of stores, Ebates has arranged it so one can either search for a specific store by Alphabetical order, keyword or by searching the through the 18 different categories of stores. Or if you really want to have fun, just pick the option to look at all 400 stores at one time.
Only need an Email address to sign up with Ebates. It has been my experience when you sign up with one of these sights they ask for all of your personal information up front. Not Ebates. All you need to get started is your email address. When you start accumulating money, you will want to give them your name and address information of course, otherwise they won’t be able to mail you your rebate check.
Ebates pop-up reminder I like to shop so much online, I have forgotten sometimes to log into Ebates to shop. Ebates gives you the option to download an Ebates reminder. I admit at first I thought I would receive this annoying pop up every 5 minutes and did not download it. But then I would kick myself after I made a purchase and did not remember to go to Ebates to make the purchase. I was throwing away free money, I thought to myself. So I downloaded the Ebates reminder to see how it worked. If you visit a site that is also listed on Ebates.com, a small pop up box reminds you this site is one of Ebates partnership stores and gives you the percentage of rebate you can get back if you shop with Ebates. And if you close the box, it’s gone. It will not continuously pop up on every page, which can be annoying. Keep in mind however, if you leave that shopping site and come back later, the pop up will show again.
How it works
Ebates lists next to each store a specific percentage up to 25%. When you click on the store link while logged into Ebates, you will be brought to that shopping site. Go ahead and browse and then purchase your item. You get back that percentage of your total sale excluding tax, shipping & handling. The amount of the rebate is added to your account until the next specified cash out time. The rebate checks are only mailed out quarterly and under the FAQs section of Ebates’ site shows the actual date they are mailed out.
What I don’t like about Ebates.com
Sounds too good to be true… Another way to earn money through Ebates is by referring your friends to this site. The referral program specifically says and I quote “ …we’ll add $5.00 to YOUR next Big Fat Check at no cost to them” (meaning your referral). Well I referred three co-workers to Ebates and they all told me they gave Ebates my email address so I would get the referral money. According to the program, I should see an additional $15.00 added to my account. I checked day after day for about a week and when I didn’t see the additional money, I sent Ebates Customer Care Center an email. They replied that I would see the money added to my account once my referral makes their first purchase. Needless to say I replied back to the Ebates Customer Care rep questioning this and was told yes it was misleading but that is what they require before I would be given the 5.00. One of my coworkers did eventually buy something and I did get the $5.00, still very misleading indeed. I do however want to add that the Ebates Customer Care service was very good. I got a reply back each time within 24 hours.
Other than that experience, I haven’t had any problems with Ebates.com. Since joining Ebates, I have received checks from Ebates totaling $45.05. Ebates is really a great deal and I plan to shop there often.
I have joined Epinions in July '01. Any help is welcomed and appreciated on making my writing better. Please leave a comment or email me at haiku112@hotmail.com
Thank you.
Deedraa
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
deedraa
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Location: Massachusetts
Reviews written: 7
Trusted by: 2 members
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