Quite Good and Improving (Updated 12/05)
Written: Dec 16, 2001 (Updated Aug 22, 2012)
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The Bottom Line
They don't pay.
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| Full Review |
I updated an older review and find that I can't edit the pros and cons.
So here are the new ones:
Pros: Cash rebates from lots of online vendors
Cons: Have to remember to visit the site first.
Ebates is a service that calculates rebates on online purchases from certain vendors and pays quarterly checks.
I've been a member of several purchase reward sites, and Ebates is the best I have found
1. I earn cash rebates on items I would otherwise buy, without paying extra for the privilege.
Their cross-section of vendors is extensive, and includes many vendors that I regularly use, including rebates from Buy.com (2%), Office Depot (2%), Barnes and Noble (4%), The Woodwind and the Brasswind(3%), CircuitCity.com (2%), Booksamillion (1%), OfficeMax (3%). There are lots, lots more. Admittedly, some of the vendors tend to be expensive in comparison to other online vendors.
But, today, I got a nice closeout transcription CD player at Musiciansfriend.com, and will earn a 12% rebate.
The beauty of the Ebates system is that they have more vendors that I use than ANY of the other online rewards vendors (Memolink, My Points and the semi-defunct Freeride) that I am familiar with, AND they issue rebates in cash.
Furthermore, the rebate is kicked in based on the order total, so, unlike some other services, I am free to use online coupons and other incentives, if available. I earn the rebate when I buy what I want at the best price.
2. EXTREMELY easy to use.
During setup, you can configure Ebates so that it will pop-up automatically when you surf covered sites. Yes, the popups can be tiresome when I’m just surfing for information to compare prices. However, when I DO buy at the lowest price, I’m glad it gets invoked automatically.
Upon reaching the site, you see a menu of purchase categories on the left which you can click. You can also search by name. I've taken to checking for an Ebate before placing ANY online order.
My popup-blocker has been effective lately, so I've taken to looking at Ebates before I buy. I missed out on rebates from a couple of Woodwind and Brasswind orders. I won't make that mistake again.
3. They actually PAY when they say they will
They issue rebate checks quarterly in amounts of $5 or more, 45 days after the end of the quarter. They said that they would issue checks on August 15 for rebates earned as of June 30. I got mine on August 18. Can’t say the same thing about Brightideas (I’m STILL waiting for my royalty check) or Memolink (took 9 months).
Now, you can specify payment to paypal as an option. Sure, there's a small fee with Paypal. However, I figure the fee will be about $.40 on a $5 payment. It will take much more than that in time and effort to get a check and deposit it.
Once, they were late with a check for dubious reasons, but now, with Paypal, that will be no problem.
There is a $5 initial bonus from signing up.
I am a big fan of Ebates. They have increased their vendors over the past several years, they are easy to use and they pay on time. I recommend them highly.
There is also a referral program where a fee is granted to a referring party. Your signon bonus is not diminished in any way. So, if you find this epinion helpful and join the Ebates site, please use this referral link: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=LnlCQC7cdKs%3D
You can also COMPOUND your rebate by using a rebate credit card when you shop. Here are epinions on two that I use and can recommend.
Chase Perfectcard Rebate Credit Card
Citibank Rebate Credit Card
Thanks for reading. God bless!
If you like mainstream and fusion jazz, check out my web site, www.jazzobsession.com. You’ll find information on my newly-released CD, The Power of Two by John Temmerman's Jazz Obsession Quartet. It is available through Amazon.com and www.cdbaby.com. I have a special discount available on sales through my web site. Come on by!
Recommended:
Yes
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About the Author
Member: John Temmerman
Location: near Chicago, Illinois
Reviews written: 676
Trusted by: 355 members
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