If you’ve been following me for awhile, you’ll see I frequently mention Shop at Home and Ebates when I feature online specials. I’ve gotten some questions before about what these sites are and how they work, so I thought I’d take the time to explain.
What are “cash back” sites?
Shop at Home and Ebates offer you cash back on your online purchases. You’ll want to start by creating a free account with each of them (I’ll tell you why I have both accounts in a minute). When you’re ready to make an online purchase, simply visit Shop at Home or Ebates FIRST. Log onto your account, search for the retailer, and click the link provided. If your retailer appears (and there are hundreds), you’ll note how much cash back to expect. It is usually a percentage. Then, make your purchases as you normally would. A few days later, your Shop at Home or Ebates account will be credited the appropriate cash back amount.
Will I see a discount at checkout?
No. You won’t notice anything different while shopping or checking out. However, when you click on the retailer link from the cash back site, you should see a “tracking ticket” pop up briefly before being redirected. Your cash back will be credited to either your Shop at Home or Ebates account.
How do I get paid?
Both cash back sites require you have a minimum balance of $20 to receive payment. I really like Ebates because they pay you via your PayPal account once a quarter. I’ve recently signed up with Shop at Home and it appears they’ll send you a check 60 days after the end of every month, provided you’ve met the threshhold.
How else can I save through these sites?
You can often find coupon codes at your favorite retailers through cash back sites! AND you can use these in conjunction with the cash back you’ll receive! Think of it like using a coupon and getting a rebate. I’ve learned to NEVER just head to an online retailer and start shopping. I ALWAYS check for coupon codes and cash back offers. You can also install a free toolbar at Shop at Home to make sure you automatically get any cash back available.
Why should I sign up with both Shop at Home and Ebates?
The cash back will generally differ between both sites, so having a free account with each one gives you the greatest opportunity to save. I always check to see who is offering the best offer before proceeding. If you’re new, Shop at Home will add $5 to your account. In checking Ebates, looks like you can opt to receive $5 cash, OR a number of gift card options, including a $10 Home Depot gift card.
My thinking is this: at some point, you’re likely to need to buy something online. Why not save some money in the process?
What have your experiences been with either of these sites? Have another cash back site you’d like to share?
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What is the “catch” with these sites? Don’t they force you to download “spyware” which they use to watch everything you do online? That was my understanding from when I researched it. I could be wrong, but I wasn’t comfortable with that.
These sites are fantastic. In the past few months, I’ve received over $200 in rebates.
The basic procedure is same for almost all cash back websites. They differ only in the percentage of cash back they offer for different online stores. Along with Shop At Home and Ebates, I also like to recommend FatWallet, AAfter Search and Bing,
However, thanks for this nice article.
Thanks for that very clear explanation
have had SERIOUS problems with Shop At Home and it’s not due to tracking/cookie issues. I used them to do most of my Christmas shopping with their “special” extra cashback bonus offers. I’m talking several stores/purchases. 9 times out of 10 I have had to submit an inquiry and request the correct rebate%. They refuse to honor most of them… I never get an email response from them. I just keep checking my cashback account and “may” see a slight adjustment. (i.e. Walmart purchase should have been 10% on Black Friday – I initially received 4% cashback on my purchases – after I submitted an inquiry they gave me a whopping 2% extra cashback…soooo instead of 10% I got 6%.) I’ve had the same problem with purchases I made thru them at Sears, Victoria’s Secret, Avon, Lane Bryant, JcPenney, LeapFrog, Avon, etc.) I followed the cashback rules for each transaction, theefore, I should not have had these problems. This site is very guilty of false advertising. Beware! Use Ebates or Mrrebates. I’ve used both of these cashback programs and have never had such issues. They stand behind their advertised cashback percentages! Something needs to be done about Shop At Home’s failure to provide the correct cashback amounts. If it were just once or twice…fine…mistakes happen. However, it is starting to appear on purpose.
Tammy, thanks for taking the time to explain this. I do have a couple direct contacts at Shop at Home. Do I have your permission to inquire personally on your behalf about this issue?
I’ve been a big fan of cashback programs. Last fall I signed up for ShopAtHome.com. They advertise great cashback percentages and I was really excited to get the extra savings. ONE HUGE PROBLEM….when I checked the cashback amounts on my purchases, 9 times out of 10 they shorted me on my cashback! Even after escalating the issue, they STILL did not get it right. Just a warning to everyone, if ShopAtHome advertises 6% cashback, make sure they are crediting your account with 6%. Many times I found they were only giving me 1% cashback. I never had this type of problem with other cashback programs, but it appears to be they way ShopAtHome operates, which is nothing short of false advertising.
I’ve used cash back sites for years now and never had problems until I started using ShopAtHome. This site is crooked. You follow their procedures exactly and if you are lucky enough to receive any cash back for any purchase, it is only the very small ones that they honor. And these are usually under a dollar.
I have used eBates for years and never had any problems. But with ShopAtHome I’ve had to submit complaints trying to find out why I haven’t received the cash back. Also, they very seldom even respond to your emails.
Right now, I am missing over $35 of cash back.
Everything Tammy says is spot on. arussell, if you really do have direct contacts with people at ShopAtHome I would appreciate it if you could get them to honor their cash back.
I do and I spoke with them yesterday. I will be forwarding these comments to my contact today. Thank you.
Ps if both you and Tammy can provide me with valid email addresses (send them to me at thecouponproject at hotmail dot com) I will put you directly in contact with someone to help.
any chance of them crediting you if you forget to go to the site first? I am kicking myself right now!
Michelle,
DId you get an answer or figure out how to apply purchase to your ebate account if you forgot to go there first? I too am kicking myself after spending a bundle this morning on the Disney Store and forget to to through ebates first. UGH!
I have used Ebates for the past year and so far have received over $800. I use it for person and business use. If we travel I go to ebates first and head out to either the airline/hotel site or use one of the travel sites like Expedia.com – I do NO online shopping until I check to see if it’s on Ebates. Cost me nothing and I make money. My last purchase was printer ink. I usually get it from 123Ink and recently they had double cash back so I got 26% back and 123Ink had a nice sale as well. I made out really well. I recommend this site 100%!!
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