How I Use Ebates for Holiday Shopping

Exactly two years ago during Christmas time, I signed up for Ebates after seeing a trusted, savvy blogger friend talk about it over Twitter. One of the best decisions I’ve ever made. Why? Because I get cash back for shopping online.

I posted about Ebates a few times during the weekend after Thanksgiving and one friend asked me, “Is it legit?” The answer is YES! I’m not really sure how the business transaction works between Ebates and the stores, but I’m sure Ebates gets a cut from retailers, the stores are hoping rebates drive sales, and then you get cash back on your purchases. Everybody wins!

But you don’t actually have to spend extra money on your end. You just buy exactly what you were already planning to buy from almost any online retailer and Ebates will kick you back a little cash. Every few months they send you the balance on your account in the form of a “big fat payment,” otherwise known as a real check sent in the mail. I have literally made a few hundred dollars over the past few years.

Here is how it works. If you sign up for an ebates account and scan their page you will see tons of retailers offering rebates… and I’m talking about great stores like Nordstrom, Etsy, Kohl’s, Amazon, J.Crew, Walmart, and the list goes on. The secret is to install the Ebates cash back button. This is a little button you install at the top of your browser. Anytime you are shopping online, the button will alert you if there is a rebate offered on the site you are browsing. You click “Activate cash back,” wait 3-5 seconds while Ebates loads, and then continue your shopping. You won’t notice anything different about your shopping experience, but Ebates will track your purchase and add a rebate to your account. Usually rebates are between 1-5%, but during the holidays some stores offer 6-25% back, so rebates can add up quickly during December.

This is how it works…

After you sign up for an Ebates account, install the cash back button. You can see it installed up in the upper right hand corner of my screen between my Amazon and Pinterest buttons.

Then, shop as you usually would at your favorite retailers. I am eyeing this white and gray bath mat from Nordstrom. When I go to the Nordstrom website, I see the store is currently offering 6% cash back, so I click to activate the rebate.

Briefly, I will see this window pop up. It usually last for five seconds or less, and then the page jumps right back to the shopping website.

Now my cash back is active. I can add the bath mat to my cart and complete my order. If I buy the rug for $29.00, 6% of my purchase ($1.74) will be added to my Ebates balance. It might not seem like much, but it adds up over time and with larger purchases. If you get a few dollars back on every Christmas gift you buy this season, you will be able to buy yourself a gift with your rebate after the holidays are over.