A few years ago I signed up with skepticism for Rakuten, formally Ebates. The advertisement sounded great! Get a percentage back on your purchases! Was this true? Was there a catch? Only one way to find out. What was there to lose?
Well, there wasn’t a catch. I shopped online like I normally do and got cashback. No points, no credit. Cash!
Today I don’t buy anything online until I check to see if I can get cashback from Rakuten.
What is Rakuten?
Rakuten, is an online service that gives shoppers cashback for their purchases. Shoppers save money on items and brands they are already buying. Recently I bought office supplies. Staples gave me 2% back. Now 2% may not seem like a lot but it all adds up. In February I received check for $58 for some of my holiday shopping.
Rakuten makes it so easy to get cashback!
How Do You Sign Up For Rakuten?
This is my favorite. The Cash Back Plugin.
Once you sign up and install the Cash Back plug in and shop online like you normally do.
The plug in is a browser extension that shows when there is cashback available on your search results. The plugin also finds and applies coupons from the store.
When you land on a page where Rakuten has partnered a pop-up box will appear to let you know what percentage of your sales you will get back on eligible purchases made.
Rakuten.com
The Rakuten.com page will display the stores they are partnering with and the cashback. I like to use the website to search for stores that may carry an item I am looking for. Sometimes a lesser known, smaller or specialty store will appear here with more cashback in order to compete with the bigger brands.
The site will also display any promotions such as triple cashback.
Rakuten app
The app is very similar to online. You will see the current promotions and the cashback that can be received when shopping with the online stores listed.
In-Store purchases
Rakuten has partnered with some stores that will give cash back for shopping done in the store. See an offer online or on the app and link that offer to your credit card. Use that credit card to make the purchases to get cashback.
How Does It Work?
Rakuten receives a commission from stores to send shoppers to their stores. They share the commission with you! You shop at over 2500 stores, many you shop at all the time such as Hanes, Tory Burch, Ulta, Coach, Zappos, Gap, AT&T, Macy’s, Lowes, Old Navy and so many more!
I comparison shop to see which store will offer me the most money back for the same item.
During major holidays, Rakuten often will increase the cashback offers, doubling and sometimes tripling the value such as this past Labor Day!
Cash Back on Travel and Dining
When Will You Receive Your Big Fat Check?
Yes, Rakuten calls them Big Fat Checks regardless of the amount! You will receive a paper check or deposit into a Pay Pal account every three months if you have a balance.
Here is a check I recently received.
Membership Is Free!!
Membership is free!
Rakuten will actually pay you. When you sign up and spend at least $25, you will receive a $10 bonus. Just decide if you want to sign up via, Facebook, Google, Apple, or through email then click “Join Now”. It’s that easy to start earning money!
More money back when you invite a friend.
If you refer a friend to Rakuten and they join, you will earn $25! AND, they will still earn $10! It’s a win win for both!
One of the easiest ways to make money!
You are shopping online anyway, so why not make some money while doing it!
Don’t lose out on making money for purchases you normally would make. Sign up for Rakuten today!