Reviews of Ebates, an online rebate and coupon website which allows consumers to earn cash back from over 1700 stores. Read our Ebates reviews from editors and readers.
About Ebates.com
With Ebates, you shop among their 1700+ stores, earning cash back with each purchase. You can see how much of a cash back amount you will receive. This is usually shown as a percentage of your purchase or a flat dollar amount.
The domain ebates.com was registered back in 1998. Early snapshots of the website from 1999 show that it operated similarly to the way it does today, boasting rebates from 400 stores.
Below is a screenshot of ebates.com, captured in January 2015:
How to Earn Cash Back from Ebates
You can earn your cash back by shopping through the Ebates website or by using their toolbar. Whenever you purchase using one of these methods, you will accrue cash back.
Once you have earned at least $5.01 in cash back, you’ll receive a payment on one of four dates throughout the year: Feb 15, May 15, Aug 15, and Nov 15. If you don’t earn at least $5.01, your cash back amount will roll over into the next pay period until $5.01 is reached.
You can be paid via PayPal, check, or by having your funds donated to a charity, organization, or family member.
Our Ebates Review
Ebates can be a fun and addictive experience for hardcore online shoppers or coupon fanatics. They are always adding new partners, widening the appeal of their rebate program. There are, however, some limitations within the framework of Ebates.
The biggest problem we have encountered when using Ebates is that of uncredited cash back purchases. That is, making a purchase through the website but not seeing the expected cash back in our account.
A bug of sorts also exists in the Ebates system which involves exchanges. They address this in their website Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Exchanges also usually reverse cash back awards. In the process of an exchange, the store cancels the old order and replaces it with a new one. When the store creates the new order, it usually fails to capture the referral from Ebates and credit us a commission.
To avoid losing cash back on an exchange, we recommend returning the merchandise and making a new transaction via Ebates.
Bottom Line
Ebates can be a way to earn back a little money if you are an avid online shopper. An unfortunate drawback with the system is that you need to keep track of your purchases, as they sometimes are not credited properly toward your cash back amount.
Your Ebates Review
Have you used Ebates.com? Let us hear from you in the comments below.
Updated January 8, 2015
Originally published February 2014
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