With the rise of computers and the internet, shopping has become incredibly easy, allowing you to buy anything from clothes and home decor to groceries and electronics without leaving your home. Cashback websites and apps have also sprung up to add extra convenience. One well-known option is Ebates.com. Before diving in, it’s worth looking at what Ebates offers and weighing up its pros and cons.
WHAT IT DOES
Ebates is a cashback site that gives you money back when you shop through its partnered stores. You don’t shop directly on Ebates; instead, you use their affiliate links to get to your favorite online stores.
Ebates partners with over 1,600 stores, including big names like Macy’s, Nordstrom, Kohl’s, Target, Best Buy, Amazon, and Petco. When you shop through Ebates, you can earn cashback ranging from 1% to 6%. Essentially, it’s the same shopping experience, but with an extra step that earns you money back.
HOW TO GET STARTED WITH EBATES
To start using Ebates, all you need is to sign up with your email address, which gets you a $10 gift card to a store of your choice. No need to link any credit card or bank account. Then, browse and shop through the Ebates site to earn cashback. After your purchase, points usually show up in your account within one to six days, though they are held for 60 days in case you cancel your order.
Payouts are made on scheduled days through PayPal or via a mailed check. Once you’re signed up, there’s nothing else you need to do. Just shop as usual, especially if you use the Google Chrome extension, and enjoy the cashback.
HOW MUCH IT COSTS
Setting up an Ebates account is entirely free, and there aren’t any fees to access your earned cashback. A small portion of your cashback, part of what Ebates earns from referring you, goes to them. It’s a common practice among cashback sites.
PROS & CONS
Pros:
– Earn extra gift cards and money just by signing up, shopping, and referring friends.
– Lots of stores to choose from.
– It’s free and very easy to use.
– Reliable customer service.
Cons:
– Some users have experienced issues with order tracking and missed payments.
– Limited categories for Amazon cashback.
– There’s a 60-day wait period for payouts.
– Payments are only made four times a year.
HOW IT COMPARES
Swagbucks is a similar platform where you can earn cashback. However, with Swagbucks, you can only convert your points into gift cards and coupons, with one point equaling one cent, which means you need a lot of points for a significant payout.
TopCashBack offers some of the highest cashback rates and partners with over 3,500 retailers. They credit your cashback within a week and let you withdraw as soon as your cash reaches pending status. Plus, they give 100% of the commission they earn from affiliates, making them a strong competitor to Ebates.
WHO IT’S BEST FOR
If you shop online often and Ebates has your favorite stores, it’s a great platform for you. It costs nothing to sign up, and you don’t have to put in any extra effort to earn cashback. If you’re going to make a purchase anyway, why not use an Ebates link and get some money back? For frequent online shoppers, Ebates is a no-brainer for saving money.