What is EBATES? How does Ebates Work? Can You REALLY get cash back for shopping?

What IS Ebates anyway?

I know this isn’t my usual beauty related blog post. I suppose this falls under the “lifestyle” category. Since I’ve been using and telling people about Ebates for so long, I feel like this is a necessary post. Christmas is coming up and every online shopping experience done without utilizing a cashback service like Ebates leaves money on the table. Yes, free money for doing what you’re already doing…shopping! I know it sounds like some sort of scheme but I promise you, it’s NOT!

Usually if it’s sounds too good to be true it is, right? I usually stay far away from anything that says “free money” or “no catch” since that usually means there IS a catch and that the money really ISN’T free. Yet if you think about it, prior to the internet, consumers were redeeming rebates through the mail to get cash back for their purchases. It was just incredibly time consuming and labor intensive. Companies that offered rebates banked on the fact that you wouldn’t go to the trouble to fill out the paperwork and would end up throwing it in the garbage. Enter the Internet and Ebates which is essentially the same concept, only streamlined and with more perks.

Ebates has been around for almost 20 years. It’s not a new concept. I just now realized I’ve been using the service since August of 2008. I didn’t even realize it had been that long! All this time I’ve been telling people 4-5 years when it’s been close to 10 years!

Basically, you earn cash back on your online purchases (and now even some in-store purchases…we’ll talk about that in a minute!). Period. There is truly no catch. It’s free money for shopping online. You don’t even need a code. There are a couple of super easy ways to make sure you get your rebate which I’ll talk about below.

It’s a truly legitimate business and one of my favorite ways to earn extra side money.

EBATES Get Paid to Shop!

How Does Ebates Work?

There are SO MANY various stores affiliated with Ebates. It’s worth it to sign up so that when you’re ready to shop, you can just click and earn cashback. Cashback bonuses usually range from 2-15%. But I’ve seen cashback offers up to 25% on occasion. Stores also do double cash back where I’ve even seen 40% cashback for shopping online!

A few of my favorite stores:

• Amazon
• Sephora
• Ulta
• Macy’s
• Target
• QVC
• Tarte
• Dermstore
• Overstock
• ebay
• Etsy
• ASOS
• Saks Fifth Avenue
• Wal-Mart

Yes, everywhere from Wal-Mart to Saks is affiliated with Ebates folks. It’s a legit business!

Here are the two ways to earn money back online for the store at which you’re shopping:

THE EBATES BUTTON:

Over the years, I’ve left money on the table because I forgot to shop through the Ebates site before making a purchase. I could kick myself afterward! Since installing the browser extension that alerts me when a site I’m browsing on is cashback eligible, that’s been a non-issue for me! It also tags my internet search results to show me which merchants have cashback offers at that time. I simply have to click the Ebates button for it to apply the discount. It doesn’t redirect or even take me to the Ebates site when it applies my cash back bonus to my account! It’s a game changer! (After signing up for Ebates, the button can be installed from the bottom of your Ebates home page.)

THE EBATES SITE:

The other way is to click through the Ebates site. If you find a product you want to buy, go to the Ebates website to see if they’re offering cashback for that store OR for a similar store with that particular item. Then click on that store link which will take you straight to that store. If you already had the item in your cart, it will still be there. You make your purchase and your rebate is then added to your cash back balance in your Ebates account. You’ve just saved money in one extra click! It’s worth it!

You can also use Ebates to do things like book travel and send flowers.  It’s pretty darned amazing I tell ya! I like to visit the site sometimes just to see the various affiliated merchants.

Do pay attention to retailer restrictions. Some retailers only allow you to earn money back or save for shopping certain departments or types of products. I’ve only encountered that a few times in all my years. But it does happen.

USE THE APP TO SHOP IN-STORE!

You can use Ebates in store also.  Ebates has a helpful video that shows how to use it. I recommend downloading the app to fully utilize the in store function. This way you can just add the discount while in line to checkout if you hadn’t planned your shopping trip in advance.

With the app, you can also scan barcodes, compare prices and get in-store coupons and more.

Sign Up with Ebates & Earn $10

When and How Do I Get my Ebates Cash Back Rewards?

You’re paid out quarterly via an actual check or Paypal.:

• February 15: for the Oct 1 – Dec 31 cashback period
• May 15: for the Jan 1 – Mar 31 cashback period
• August 15: for the Apr 1 – Jun 20 cashback period
• November 15 : for the Jul 1 – Sep 30 cashback period

How Can You Increase Your Earnings Even More?

Even if you shop online a TON, you may want to maximize your earnings even beyond store rebates. That’s where referrals come in. Ebates has a wonderful referral program! I wanted to let you guys know about it since the holidays are coming up. And hey, who couldn’t use an extra $75-100 right?!

1) SIGN UP TO EARN $10

The ONLY thing you do for your first $10 is sign up using the link below and spend $25 within three months on an online purchase through Ebates.

Think about all the things you buy on a daily basis or something you might be buying within the next few months. Or wait to sign up until you’re ready to buy something. But I’m sure you can think of something that you could get online for $25 to where you can earn $10 of that money back! Also take into consideration that Christmas is around the corner! Spend that $25 on something you’re already planning to buy…don’t spend more money than you were planning to spend already! Buy your toilet paper, detergent or pens or a Christmas gift from Amazon or Target! Done! No rush. Do it when you’re ready!

It’s the easiest $10 you’ve ever earned.

Sign Up with Ebates & Earn $10

2) REFERRALS ARE WHERE IT’S AT!

Remember how I said Ebates had a wonderful referral program? This is where that comes into play.

• You earn $5 for each person that signs up through your referral link and makes a $25 purchase within the first year.
• In addition, there are bonuses for each quarter. In one quarter if ONE qualified person processes (signs up and purchases) with your referral link, you earn an ADDITIONAL $20 on top of the $5. If you refer TWO, you earn $40. THREE is $60…and it goes up).

So let’s say you referred just three people who signed up and made qualified purchases that fell within the same quarter, you’ve earned $15 for the 3 referrals and $60 for the bonus. That’s $75! It’s SO EASY. You send your link. They shop. Everyone saves and earns.

You can essentially make decent referral money for simply recommending Ebates to family and friends which is what we should all be doing anyway since it’s saves us all a significant amount of money!

How Do You Sign Up?

It truly is free money with no catch. I’ve been using it for almost ten years and swear by it. I tell family and friends and everyone who watches my YouTube channel about it for a reason. It’s not for the referrals…it’s because I believe in it wholeheartedly for me and for everyone who uses it! You’re leaving money on the table by not using Ebates. With the Ebates browser button there’s no extra work required to make passive income! There’s literally NO REASON to NOT start using it to shop online!

EBATES  Get Paid To Shop!