Ebates

There was some chatter on Twitter this afternoon about Ebates. I am a big, big fan of Ebates. (I have not been compensated to write this blog post.) I signed up for Ebates a few years ago but only started using it about a year ago but it has really paid off! This is how it works....

You want to purchase something off of a website. Let's use Sephora as an example. I go to ebates.com, sign in to my account, and type "Sephora" into the search bar. The Sephora Ebates page pops up and tells you what percentage back you will get from your total purchases on that website.

AND! (My favorite part!) Below that are a list of all of the current discount codes offered at that site. So instead of googling "Sephora discount code", they're all listed right there for you.  Click "SHOP NOW"...

A tracking ticket will be generated in a new tab/window and will automatically redirect you to the Sephora website.  Now don't close the Ebates tab!  You have to leave that open in the background and if you close the Sephora tab at any  point, you have to click the "shop now" tab again to generate that tracking ticket.  That's how Ebates knows you're buying something!  Now just shop on the Sephora site and make your purchases like normal.  A day or two after you've made your purchases you'll get an email from Ebates stating that cash back has been credited to your account. 

Each quarter you will receive a paper check or direct payment into your Paypal account from Ebates.  I have always received my payments and yes, it really does work.  It's cash, to you, no funny business!

If you purchase something using Ebates and then RETURN IT, Ebates knows and your cash back will be deducted from your account.

If you feel like Ebates made a mistake and you should have received credit for something you purchased, all you have to do is: My Ebates > Tracking Tickets (right menu bar) and find the tracking number.

Then click that "Click here to contact Customer Care" link right above your tracking numbers.   (Side note: I really did order something from HSN.  SO WHAT!)

Email it to them and they'll get your account fixed!

If you have a tendency to forget to use Ebates, write it on a Sharpie and tape it to your keyboard or monitor.  That way when you sit down to shop, you see it.

Here is one of my favorite tricks.  I want a chandelier and area rug from Home Depot.  I could easily run down the road and purchase both of them but I obviously can't use Ebates in the store.  What I'm going to do is purchase them both online and select "pick up in store".  My purchases will be available almost immediately, I won't have to pay shipping, and I got to use Ebates!  Best Buy and Wal Mart also offer in store pick up. See a TV in Best Buy you want?  Go home and order it using your Ebates and you'll get a little percentage back.  It may not seem like a lot at the time but it really does add up.  Especially at Chrismtas!

Flower delivery sites? HUGE percentage back!  And if I'm ordering something that could be purchased on several sites, I use those handy tabs over on the left to find the store with the highest percentage back.

Sign up here and get shopping!