Ebates Review – Updated 8/2014
Please click here to join.
Date Launched: 1998
Earn For: Online shopping, referring friends
Redeem For: Cashback by check, PayPal, or Amazon gift card when your personal cashback earnings are $5.01 or more in a quarter (earnings roll over to the following quarter if minimum’s not met). Payment is sent automatically approximately 6 weeks following the end of the quarter. Referral earnings do not count toward the minimum.
Limit One Account Per: Individual 18 years+ with valid email address
Notes:
1. Get $5 for signing up, and earn $5 for referring a friend who makes a purchase.
2. Some purchases are ineligible, see their faqs for details.
3. Ebates is traditionally one of the top five highest paying cashback programs on the internet in my annual cashback comparisons.
4. Shopping credit disputes must be submitted within 90 days (but after 30 days) of purchase.
5. If you do not log in, click an email link, or make a purchase in 12 months, Ebates reserves the right to delete your account and you’ll forfeit your earnings.
Like Ebates? Websites similar to Ebates are: Extrabux, MrRebates, and FatWallet
Related Articles:
2011: Ebates Buys FatWallet, California Passes Internet Tax Law, Cashbaq Honors Outstanding Balances Through Ebates, Ebates Celebrates 12 Years with 12% Cashback
2010: Why Didn’t I Get Cashback in My Account?, 2010 Chat Recap, Ebates Membership Growth Helps Revenue Jump in August, Reaction to Bing Cashback Closing, Celebrate 11 Years of Cash Back at Ebates, Comparing the Rewards Programs Mentioned in MSN Money Article, Somebody Buy Ebates a Calculator!
2009: 2009 Chat Recap, Ebates Article in Washington Times, Ebates Fights Fraud, Ebates.com in the News, Ebates Reports 17% Increase in Sales, Welcome, Tribune Readers!, Judge in Source, Inc. Rewards Program Patent Infringement Case Steps Down, Ebates Officially Discontinues MoeMoneyMaker Toolbar
2008: Ebates Mention and Extrabux Co-Founder Interviewed on KABC-7 Los Angeles, Welcome to WalletPop.com Readers, 2008 Shopping Rebates Comparison Chart and Analysis, Money-Saving Sites Mentioned on Good Morning America Now…And Then Some!, Welcome Good Morning America Now Viewers, Ebates Says Members Surpassed $1 Billion in Spending Through the Site, Ebates Gets Consumer Reports Nod in ShopSmart Magazine, Ebates Issues Press Release to Announce New CEO, Ebates Announces New CEO, CompareRewards Gets Book Mention, More on the Rewards Program Patent Infringement Case, Rewards Programs Sued for Patent Infringement, 2007 Year in Review
2007: Debit Rewards Programs Can Offer Higher Cash Back, 2007 Chat Recap, 2007 Shopping Rebates Comparison Chart, How to Choose a Rewards (Rebate) Program, Ebates Daily Double Rebate Merchant, Ebates’ New Video on YouTube, Ebates’ YouTube Video, Rewards Program Membership Numbers, Interesting Article: “Not All Online Malls are Created Equal,” Busiest Rewards Programs – August 2007, Comparison of Office Supplies Prices by Forbes, Recent Earnings From Rewards Programs, Ebates’ Eighth Birthday Surprise, Are Rewards Programs Worth It?, Ebates Founder on TV, Rewards/Rebate Program Snapshot, 2006 Year in Review
2006: How to Choose a Rewards (Rebate) Program, 2006 Shopping Rebates Comparison Chart, Busiest Rewards Programs, Ebates Blog, Earn the Most When You Join Blockbuster Online or NetFlix, Ebates Says It’s Innocent, Ebates Sued Over MoeMoneyMaker Spyware, Profile of Ebates Founder Isolani, Ebates Founder Talks About Loyalty, 2005 Year in Review,
2005: 2005 Shopping Rebate Comparison, Ebates Summer Survey, 2004 Year in Review, Ebates Uses Security Holes to Install MoeMoneyMaker
2004: 2004 Chat Recap, Ebates Offers PayPal, Delete MoeMoneyMaker, 2004 Shopping Rebate Comparison
2002: Earning with Referrals, Ebates Beats MyPoints Very Best Offer >50% of the Time
review last updated 8/2014
{ 59 comments… read them below or add one }
These guys like to put all sorts of plugins and items on your computer while you’re not aware. I’ve found little menus and links throughout my IE browser. I have not redeemed anything yet.
I’ve been getting quarterly checks from them for over a year, it’s legit and they’ve got a bunch of major shopping sites, so it’s a pretty easy way to get some money back. It’s really easy to use and I can’t see any negatives.
Your company has installed a worm on my computer, adding pop ups and tracking my activity. I am warning your costumers of your unorthadox business practices! The name of the file is Ebates Money Maker aka ebates.exe I will keep posting this file until you rectify this ludicris behavior!
Received over $200 in over 2 years not a rip off and very worth while. I compare with ebates and with out 9 out 10 times most worthwhile to use ebates and get extrsa shopping credits. Right now I have over $40 + sitting and waiting for me in August pay out.
Never had any computer problems with them. Maybe your picking up stuff somewhere else like Face book or Somewhere like that. All you have to do nowadays is click in the wrong place and you can get a worm. So don’t go necesarily blaming Ebates.
I know several people who are using them and none of us have had any trouble.
Who else would it have been, but ebates when the ‘FILE NAME’ is Ebates Money Maker? Though most likey it is just a tracking program used for the shopping rebates, and not a worm like he thinks. That’s how they track your purchases to give you the cash back. It says so in the info. lol. The file name would even make sense then too. lol.
ebates.exe is a program that you have the choice of installing. I just signed up and unchecked that in the options smarty.
I didn’t install this program, yet twice it has appeared on my computer. I’m sure what Ebates is doing is illegal and they should be stopped.
Running a computer without anti-spyware software in today’s computer environment? You’re taking unnecessary chances of attacks through all kinds of downloads! I know, I was too until I tried Microsoft’s new Antispyware (beta) that automatically disallows spyware and more. It’s free and works for me! They have a free correcting program too if something does happen to load. As for Ebates, it works for me, even without “mo-money” which caused no problems for me after it loaded. I just deleted it. Here’s a good tip when signing up for offers. Read, read, read before you join a group or download software.
I love ebates, i have never had a problem and always recieve my checks in a speedy manner
I’ve been a member for 2 years and love Ebates! My savings are now deposited automatically to PayPal where it earns 3.76% in interest. I opted out on Moe Money, it is your choice as mentioned before. I too am a big anti-spy program user and if you’re concerned, great free preventive software is just a click away.
I used to like Ebates. But recently couple of my big ticket purchased turned out not eleigible for their rebate because I used outside coupons. For one of them the coupons is offered right there at the merchant’s website for siging up for newsletters!
I don’t see why would I waste time link through ebates if very few purchase is qualified
E-bates is certainly a great site from which to do your online shopping, especially for those purchases you would be making in any regard. Even a little percentage back is better than nothing back. However I have recently noticed some bothersome patterns at the site. It seems that every few purchases I am having to send them an e-mail asking where my rebate is. Fortunately I save all my transaction confirmations, etc. so I can always document the purchase. Although they reserve the right to wait 30 days — the supposed return period for some merchants — it is interesting that some rebates post right away and others just seem to “fall through the cracks.” It makes you wonder how many people may just forget about it in 30 days, thus enabling e-bates to retain the entire commission. Also, for some reason they will not transfer my intitial $5.00 sign-up bonus to my paypal account, even though I’ve had more than the minimum in actual purchase rebates ($5.01 I believe) to qualify for the bonus. I have contacted them via their site customer service form, but have received no reply regarding this. Anyway, if you do a lot shopping via E-bates, pay close attention to your account balance. You may have to stay on them to get all you are due.
Avoid ebates.com because they won’t pay. They’ll give you plenty of lip service, but no cash. I followed the rules and got nothing. Use a more credible site such as fatwallet.com–they pay. I have never had trouble with fatwallet.com and have never received cash back from ebates.com. You decide, but be careful.
Hey everyone! I’m Rebecca, the blogger at Ebates. Just so you know, if you haven’t received your Cash Back, you should either contact our Customer Care department, leave a comment on our blog or visit your Account Profile and make sure your info is up to date.
There’s no reason why you shouldn’t receive your Cash Back. As long as you have at least five bucks in Cash Back from your purchases (not counting your Tell-A-Friend $5 bonuses) then the money is yours.
This doesn’t work. They just tell you that you didn’t click on ebates.co first. Well. I know for a fact that I DID!
Hi, for anyone interested in Ebates, it’s a good thing, WHEN IT WORKS. I haven’t installed the Moe Money thing, I just click through to the stores to get the % back. This only works about 1/2 the time or less. I have everything set right in my browser. I have tracking ticket numbers through them, but they just refuse to honor big purchases. The customer service is lacking and they always blame it on you or your browser.
I have been a member of ebates for over two years and love it. I have never had a problem, all purchases that I make through ebates have always posted and checks have always been sent to me as scheduled.
I THINK THEY ARE GREAT!!!!! ALWAYS ANSWERED MY QUESTIONS. A VERY SMALL PROBLEM WITH REFERRALS THOUGH. DID RECEIVE MY CHECK PROMPTLY, AND IT WAS CORRECT!
I’ve earned a total of $855.26 since joining Ebates! I joined in Aug, 2004, but didn’t really start using it until 2006. Customer service has been great each time I’ve called and their checks are prompt. Very easy way to earn money!
Thank you for excellent comparison chart! I’d like to give you the referral credit when I join ebates, but if I use your link I can’t get today’s incentive, which is a $10 starbucks card. If you send me an email address to enter to credit you, I’d be pleased to do so.
I was excited to learn about Ebates.com and joined immediately, taking full advantage of the double bonus they offered for the “Tell-a-Friend” program. My referral bonuses were promptly applied to my account and to theirs when they earned them. My experience with Customer Care has been positive as well.
I am anxiously awaiting my first “Big Fat Check” and plan to report back upon receipt of it. I think Ebates.com is great and I encourage consumers to take full advantage of this service. Some money back is far better than no money back.
Experience it for yourself and then tell YOUR own story.
Carol
Wow, it looks like someone has WAY TOO MUCH TIME on their hands. Maybe you can use your time more wisely by voluntering or something. By the way, that just makes me NOT want to click on your links.
Their custom service is next to zero, if you email them rgarding your cash back, this is all that you will get, they simply won’t pay:
Dear Valued Customer, Thank you for contacting Customer Care at Ebates. We have received your message and a Customer Care Associate will respond to you soon. Due to the high volume of email that we are receiving, it may take a little longer than usual before we are able to respond. Our Help/FAQ page may contain the answer to your question, but we will write back to you as soon as we possibly can. We appreciate your patronage and look forward to assisting you. Sincerely, Customer CareEbates
Ebates is great..believe me, I am earing almost $1,000 for a year..they pay !!!
I am having fits getting my 1Q08 payment. I normally would not sweat it but this one is supposed to be worth over $50, much more than I normally rack up. I had updated my account to “pay a friend” because my Paypal.com address that I want to use is not the same as the address I use for Ebates. The payment was sent to a prior email address that I no longer have. Then customer service (after a long delay in addressing my issue and NOT having a phone number to call) finally replies and quotes an email address from someone else’s account!
I know this is a free service but I assume they are making money off the referrals. Thus, they should have to pay up when the time comes. I am thinking of switching to a competing service if I can find one. Does anyone know of any competitors?
Ebates is THE GOODS! If you shop online, and you buy from any of the 900+ stores they work with, and you don’t use Ebates, YOU ARE STUPID. Seriously. I’ve used them for over five years and they are more than legit, they are better than a free lunch, and they seem too good to be true. But here we are, they’ve been around what, seven or eight years, and they are still sending checks lick clockwork. I’ve never had an issue with a check, never missed a credit, and never had it take more than ONE DAY to get an answer from customer service when I was confused about cut-off dates.
I don’t know why people are freaked out a out their ‘software’. You can’t even find the software. Non issue. Use this incredible free site and save hundreds of dollars on stuff you were going to buy anyway. What’s to loose?
Skyler
I found them to be a good site but i also found rewardlover another good rebate site.
EBATES ONLY PAY SMALL AMOUNT. IF YOU EARN ALOT LIKE ME, THEY DON’T PAY. Last Christmas, I earn over $180 shopping for present and they didn’t pay me at all. When I email them, they just delete my account and never reply. So if i were you, don’t use this site if you are going to earn over $100. Ebates is a scam and they will try and take advantage of you. YOU BEEN WARN. I recommend “fat wallet” because they are more trustworthy and their cashback are higher, plus, they care about their costumer.
Ebates is not a scam. They have been in business for well over a decade and they pay their members quarterly when their personal cash back is $5.01 or more. The only way someone would earn a large amount like this and not get paid is if there was fraud involved. (Who earns $180 in cash back from buying presents, anyway? With average cashback rates in the 5% range, someone would have to spend $3,600 in a three month period to hit that amount. I call BS on this one.
Yes ebates is a scam, they didn’t even send me my money yet. I met all their requirement and they are just a waste of time. I feel like a idiot thinking they are 100% legit.
Just a note that many of these “Ebates is a scam” comments are years old and they don’t provide any substantiation. I’ve reviewed rewards programs like Ebates for ten years now, and the site is totally legit and not a scam. Not getting your money when you think you should is probably a misunderstanding about when Ebates pays its members: 6 weeks after the quarter in which your personal cash back reached $5.01 or more.
BAD, Ebates is Bad.
All my refer credits and gifts cards are gone. GONE.. GONE..
After I see there’s no money under my ebate account.
I did some reseach on Ebates.
Ebates intall spyware into your pc.
Ebates Installed through Security Holes.
Anybody read the whole Ebates Terms & Conditions before sign up?
Ebates has the right to remove (delete) Other Programs (software) in you PC. Ebates is badddddddddddddddd
Yes, Ebates is a scam and has virus. They also deleted my account after earning over $200 like one of the person above mentioning it.
Just don’t sign up for ebates if you are going to shop a lot because its a waste of time and a total scam.
People complaining about Ebates are probably plants from competitor sites. There are no viruses. The Ebates download (along with most others in their space) is pretty much long gone.
Check out their investors by doing a simple Google search. This is the ONLY site of this kind backed by real-world venture capital.
I’ve been a member since 2000 and have ALWAYS gotten my checks (although had some tracking issues in the early days which were resolved).
Give it a try. You have zero to lose.
I’ve been using Ebates for a couple of years and have only had 2 problems getting a rebate, both with drugstore/beauty.com and both on Black Fridays, which were resolved and correctly credited to me after I emailed and referenced the transaction numbers (I always save those). With those 2 exceptions I’ve had no problems whatsoever and am up to close to $700 back in just under 3 years using them. Initially I did download and use the MoMoneyMaker thing but very easily deactivated and removed the program after a few months (didn’t like that thing popping up whenever I visited a store) and now just make sure that I link thru the ebates site whenever I’m shopping. I also reference another site, evreward.com, which sort of consolidates some of the major rebate programs (that’s how I found out about Mr Rebates, another site I use) and use whatever site offers the best rebate for that store. For Ebay ebates offers a straight 3% off the final sale price, the best overall deal, and I usually get credited for that within the day. I have had no problems getting paid but I just have them mail out the quarterly check. All in all I highly recommend ebates with no reservations other than to save all the transaction info at least until you get the confirmation emails, but that’s just common sense.
I’ve used Ebates for years and never had a problem with software or getting my money. They pay on time however…they pay for the prior quarter earnings after the next quarter completion. In other words – you shop from October to December…you won’t get paid until after the January thru March quarter is done. So if you want a speedy rebate, Ebates isn’t the ticket. But for me, I’ve always been paid and the referral commissions that you can earn is an extra added bonus and easy since they also offer a $5 join bonus.
This site is so fake. Just by the comments being almost all positive I can just tell how fake it is. LOL!! Nice Try ebates.com
From the Terms and Conditions – This says it all folks.
The determination of whether or not a purchase made through an Ebates Affiliated Store is a “Qualified Purchase” is at the sole discretion of Ebates. All cash back rewards earned by Members are subject to review. Necessary adjustments may be applied to Member accounts at any time by Ebates at its sole discretion. If you do not agree to adjustments made to your account, your only recourse will be to terminate your membership in the Program.
Or to translate – “We award what we feel like, and if you don’t like it, then quit”
This is standard verbiage you’ll find in all cashback programs’ terms and conditions. Unfortunately because of intentional fraud, or ignorance (i.e., using a coupon code obtained from another website), people will insist that Ebates owes them money when they really don’t. This wording protects Ebates from that type of claim, keeping the company stronger for those of us who do play by the rules.
I just got my first big fat check today. I’m a little dissapointed though because they didn’t give me all the money. I had 80 plus dollars and my check is only for $58. It still says in my account that they owe me money but I don’t understand why they didn’t just give me all of it. I’m kind of doubting ebates now!!!
This comment shows that many “Ebates is a scam” claims are just people not understanding the program’s terms. Cashback earned within a quarter is eligible for payment 6 weeks after the quarter ends if that amount is $5.01 or greater… otherwise it carries over to the next quarter. Ebates does pay as promised – members just need to read how payments work.
I have been a member of Ebates since 2001 and I have gotten $698.54 in rebates, but I have to shop on-line because of my location. If you are using any of the retailers that Ebates has in their program you have little to use. I am quite computer savvy and I don’t know what Charles is saying about Ebates putting any spyware on your computer. I have never had that problem with Ebates.
That being said, they do engage in data mining. They watch what you are shopping for and you will get emails for similar items. If you go thru Ebates looking for anything (let’s say Men’s Clothing) you might get emails from men’s wear stores you never went to before. If you were looking at a shirt at the GAP you might get an email from Old Navy. That is not necessarily a bad thing. You might find a better price or a better selection. Of course the unsolicited emails are from other stores that are connected to Ebates too. To avoid being slammed with spam, open an email account just for use with Ebates.
A word of advice, you still need to be a wise consumer, some of the stores with higher rebates also have higher prices or shipping and handling charges. So look beyond the percentage of the rebate.
One last thing, if you go directly to an Ebates partner store, without going through the Ebates portal you will NOT get any rebates that you would if you used the portal. Say you click on an email from Drugstore.com you will lose the 6% rebate that you would have gotten if you had opened Ebates.com then selected Drugstore.
Bottom line Ebates is not a scam! The data mining they do is what pays for the rebates.
I have been an user Ebates for almost 10 years now and I like getting money back on the stuff that I would buy through the same stores anyway. It’s a no brainer and like the other person said, in this day and age if you don’t have anti spyware on your computer you are a fool. I don’t have any problem with Ebates and I seriously doubt that they are doing anything illegal. I think the people who state that Ebates installed a “worm” on their computer need to get real. Update your firewall and have automatic scans of your computer done with software made for that purpose.
I don’t understand the bash of Ebates. It is a great site that me and hubby have been enjoyed for years. I never find any spyware or worm that some people claim to have. After reading many negative reviews, I started to think those are from either competitors or people who don’t know about how Ebates actually works.
I have used them since 2006 and saved a lot of money. They consistently have the higher rebates on stores that I shop.
THose that are having virus, trojan, malware problems have most likely gained them by neglecting to protect their computers from the wild wild west internet world. You have to be proactive to prevent them. You have no one to blame but yourselves.
Many of the comments about the Ebates trojan / malaware issue are very old and relate to a toolbar that Ebates no longer supports.
I also have used Ebates for a very long time and they are a very solid and reliable cashback program with rates that are quite high, although not the highest anywhere. I would refer readers to my most recent review of everyday cashback rates for a dozen popular rewards programs including Ebates. They were in the top 6:
http://comparerewards.com/archives/1863
EBATES IS A SCAM WEBSITE. Don’t use! They get you to sign up and then won’t honor your purchases. They actually told me I was lying when I told them that I DID use their site when I made my purchases. I have made several big purchases and they refuse to honor them by telling me I didn’t use their website to go to the purchase site. Well, I just signed up with ebates a couple of weeks ago and WHY WOULD I EVEN BOTHER TO DO SO if I had no intention of using their site???? Doesn’t make any sense. Does it to you? I am going to spread the word to everybody I know DO NOT USE THIS SITE!!!!!!
Ebates is not a scam website — they are a highly respected rewards program that was actually the very first cash back website on the internet.
I doubt that Ebates used the word “lying.” Their customer service staff is way too professional, although you may have taken their response to mean that.
There are several things that can cause a member to not receive cashback: high security settings that won’t allow cookies, pop-up blockers. a hosts.txt file which blocks ads, using coupon codes you obtained somewhere else, going straight to a website and adding items to your cart and THEN going to the cashback program and clicking through to visit the site, having a toolbar installed on your computer that redirects your shopping commission elsewhere (not necessarily to a cashback site)… I’m probably forgetting a few but those are the ones that come to mind first.
plese sign me up for your cah back program, I have heard so much about it. Thank you.
I’m using ebates.com for 2 or 3 month only and when time came to get my first bonus I’ve got $10 “welcome” Target Gift Card and 2 weeks later I’ve received my first check. Everything looks good. Do not have any problems with this website. Only positive experience. My friend uses it for a long time with no problems at all.
For those finding this post when searching for things like, Is Ebates a scam? The answer is NO, Ebates is definitely NOT a scam. They’ve been paying quarterly cash back rebate checks (or PayPal payments) for over a decade, just like clockwork, every time your accumulated cash back is over $5. Their cash back rates are high and their customer service is great. As long as you make sure you don’t have any toolbars installed, and you don’t use any coupon codes you obtain elsewhere, cashback should credit with no problems whatsoever.
Here, again, is my link to join if you’re not already a member of Ebates. They’re a great program and I highly recommend them:
http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=BywBl4M8y5E%3D
p.s. They will be at my annual chat on 11/12/2011 if anyone wants to ask them questions, or get alternate opinions from other chatters. More information on that is here:
http://comparerewards.com/archives/1855
A picture’s worth 1,000 words. Proof of payment by Ebates many, many times. I can go back further in my account history if anyone wants to see it.
http://comparerewards.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/ebatespaymentproof.jpg
I got my first check! Awesome!!!!!!
Stay away from ebates
Showed cancelled order despite me having the product in hand to avoid paying cashback.
BEWARE
I’ve been a member of Ebates since 2009 and have received over $290 in rebate checks since that time. I just receive one yesterday for $17. It is not a scam…I’ve purchased items from Walmart.com, Home Depot, Joann’s, Shutterfly, Old Navy, Lancome, Ann Taylor and more over the years. And Ebates offers a daily double so at times you can earn even more at your favorite stores. All it requires is an extra click or two of the mouse. I mean, if you are going to purchase online why not get a cash rebate? I certainly don’t understand the naysayers. There are other options out there which are similar…like Fatwallet…but Ebates is my first choice because of its ease of use.
It’s nice that it sends out money once in a while. I received $5 check not so long ago.
Sounds like all the people defending ebates actually work for them. Who talks like that for real?
It works. I receive a check before.