According to a recent survey by the National Retail Federation, American consumers will shell out an average of $967.13 towards holiday gifts this year—an amount that can put a strain on any household budget. However, if they use the Ebates online shopping portal to spend those dollars at their favorite stores, they can earn some of that cash back in the form of a Big Fat Check.
Cash Back at Over 2,000 Retailers
Founded in 1998 by two former deputy district attorneys, Alessandro Isolani and Paul Wasserman, Ebates launched its shopping portal in 1999, offering up to 25 percent cash back from about 40 online retailers. It has since grown into one of the largest, free, member-based savings programs in the nation.
“Ebates rewards members with cash back on purchases while also providing access to thousands of coupons, discounts, promotions, and special deals—including free shipping,” Priti Khare, Ebates’ director of public relations told RewardExpert. “A free membership allows consumers to shop online at over 2,000 of their favorite top-name retailers while earning back a percentage of every purchase they make.”
To date, Ebates members have earned nearly $1 billion back on their purchases. These cash-back rewards are possible because stores pay Ebates a commission on the shoppers the site sends their way. Ebates then passes on some of that commission to its members each quarter. Become an Ebates member and there is no limit on the amount of cash back you can earn.
“Shopping with Ebates is hassle-free—meaning there are no rebate forms to fill out and no points or miles to redeem,” Khare explained. “The site supports a strong community of savvy shoppers across the country and around the world.”
Get a Big Fat Check Every Quarter
Signing up for an Ebates membership is easy. Simply visit www.ebates.com and create an account. You can even use your Facebook credentials to do so. Then start shopping at Ebates’ retail partners (including Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Best Buy, Kohl’s, Macy’s, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, QVC, Rite Aid, Target, Walmart, and thousands of others) to earn from 1 percent to 25 percent cash back depending on the store.
For consumers who shop through their mobile devices, Ebates offers a free app for iPhone, iPad, and Android. You can even use the app to earn cash back when you shop at participating brick-and-mortar stores. Linking a credit or debit card to your Ebates account will also allow you to access in-store cash back offers.
Visit your account at any time to add to your list of favorite stores, review your shopping trips, or check your cash back balance. Ebates sends their members a Big Fat Check every three months. You can choose to receive your cash back through snail mail or as a PayPal payment. You can also have your Big Fat Check sent to a charity or charitable organization—a great option for consumers who want an easy way to maximize their annual charitable giving.
Tips to Maximize Your Savings
Khare said that Ebates has made it simple for members to earn on every single purchase, and the savings can really add up. To make the most of your Ebates experience, Khare recommends that members:
- Visit the website often to review special promotions, including stores offering double cash back.
- Download the Ebates Cash Back Button to ensure you never miss a cash-back opportunity. The button works within the Google Chrome browser to activate Ebates Cash Back directly at stores as well as automatically apply promo codes at checkout.
- Link a credit or debit card to your account so you can earn cash back at participating brick-and-mortar stores.
- Sign up to receive Ebates emails. You can do so through your account settings and will receive notifications of exclusive savings and offers.
Follow Ebates on social media. “You’ll get tips and tricks for savvy shopping, as well as the latest trends and exclusive promos,” Khare added.