Fat Wallet: How would you like to get paid for shopping?
Written: May 28 '07
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Fat Wallet is one of several rebate sites out there that kicks you back money for using their site as a portal to online shopping. I have been using rebate sites for years and, since I do quite a bit of online shopping, I have saved literally hundreds over the last few years using sites like Fat Wallet.
WHAT IS IT?
Many popular on line shopping sites pay a kickback to the site that referred you to their site. So, for example, if you decide to shop at the gap's online store, they will send 2% or more of whatever you spend to the site that referred you. The trick is to shop through sites that refund that referral kickback to you. Fat Wallet is one of those sites.
To join Fat Wallet, you have to enter the most minimal of information - really just your name and email address. You also have to set up an account with a password. After that, you have to be sure to go to Fat Wallet first and then click through that site to get to the site you want to shop at. Fat Wallet lists the rebate amounts you can earn which range from 2% to over 20%. Fat Wallet also covers a good variety of stores and many of the popular on line stores.
The other nice thing about Fat Wallet is that they list lots of internet coupons and sales you couldn't easily find on your own. The site itself finds the internet codes. There are also bulletin boards where other users of the site can post great sales or codes they have on their own. I have found this to be a great resource and I almost always check Fat Wallet before making any online purchase to see if they know of a sale or coupon code I can use.
YOUR ACCOUNT
Once you set up an account, Fat Wallet credits money to your account each time you click through to make a purchase. You can also check the site to see how much money is pending in your account.
Generally, your rebate posts in your account a few days after making a purchase. However, it can take three months or more before you can claim your rebate. This is true of most rebate sites I have used. My guess is that it takes that long for the store to pay the rebate site.
GETTING YOUR REBATE
Getting your money out of Fat Wallet is a little more time consuming that other sides. Certain sites, like Ebates, just send you a check once a quarter if you have earned over $5. This site requires you to remember to go back and request a check. I like the sites that send the check automatically. My life is so busy, I don't need something else to do. Once you request the check, it typically shows up in 1-2 weeks although the site says it can take up to six weeks for the check to arrive.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
This site is pretty good about emails. I don't get many spam-type emails. I was worried about them loading my inbox but that hasn't happened.
FINAL RECOMMENDATION
I really like this site. I use it quite a bit along with other sites like ebates.com and upromise.com. I would definitely recommend it.
DO YOU LIKE TO SHOP ON THE INTERNET? HERE ARE SOME MORE REVIEWS OF WEB STORES:
Clothing and Accessories: Talbots; The Gap; CWD Kids; Hanna Andersson; J. Jill; Tote Le Monde ; Blu Pyxie ; Miniboden; One Hanes Place; Nordstrom; Gymboree; Simple Shoes; Sierra Blue; Ebags; Shoe Dawg; Osh Kosh; Backcountry; Figleaves; Victoria’s Secret.
Clothing and Home Goods: Lands End; Bluefly; Soft Surroundings; Garnet Hill; Sundance; L.L. Bean.
Home and Garden: Smith & Noble; Restoration Hardware; Gardeners Supply Company; Unicahome; Homeclick; FaucetDirect; Gardens Alive; West Elm; Crate & Barrel; MyKnobs; CB2; Design within Reach.
Books and Magazines: Amazon.com; ValueMags; Magazine Values; Dover Publications.
Office Supplies, Furniture and Services: Staples; Officemax; Topdeq; Efax.
Electronics: HP Shopping; Buy.com; ABT Electronics.
Travel: Amtrak; Hotwire; Orbitz; Hotels.com.
Discount: Overstock.com; Target; Smart Bargains.
Photo Developing: Shutterfly; Snapfish.
Baby Stuff: Babystyle; Babys Here Birth Announcements; Baby Universe; SoZo; Baby Center; Baby Age; One Step Ahead.
Miscellaneous: 1-800 contacts; Movie Tickets.com; Drugstore.com.
Rebate Sites: Upromise; Ebates.
Before you start shopping, check out my tips on how to save money by shopping on the internet . I have also included some coupon codes and plan to add more as I find them.
Recommended:
Yes
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modernmarvel
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