What exactly is cashback shopping?
As the name suggests, it is essentially shopping that gives
you cash back. This might be a little simplistic, but it does give the basic
idea. Usually, retailers put a percentage of cashback (e.g. 5%) on their goods.
If the cashback percentage is at 5%, an item that costs $100 will provide you
with $5 in return.
How does that work?
For the most part, cashback websites will receive a
commission from online retailers for every customer they refer. Part of that
money will go back to the customer (you, in this case). For example, certain
retailers will be featured on cashback websites. If you buy a product off the
cashback website from a retailer that’s offering cashback, both the cashback
website and you will receive money.
What’s the catch?
There really isn’t one. All you have to do is sign up for
these cashback sites and start earning money for shopping online. Most (if not
all) cashback websites are totally free and stay in business based on
commission from retailers or ad revenue. If you like shopping online, you might
as well earn some money doing it.
How soon will I get
my money?
It’s different for different retailers and cashback
websites. In general, you won’t get your money until the retailer pays the
cashback website. In some cases, you’ll find that the cashback website has
certain payout days. In large part, you’re going to find that your account will
be credited within a week from purchase. Sometimes, however, extenuating
circumstances require this time period to be increased to as much as 30 days.
I still haven’t
gotten my cashback. What gives?
If you feel like you’ve been shortchanged in the cashback
department, it’s likely because the retailer didn’t pay the cashback website or
the product you purchased was not available (or was mistakenly made available)
for cashback. If this was not the case, then most cashback websites have
responsive customer service departments that can handle your claim.
What can I do with
the money?
For the most part, you can do with it what you please. Most
cashback sites give you the option to request payment from your account. That
money acts almost like a rebate and can be yours to buy even more products
using cashback websites. Other websites provide you with the option to use your
cashback for a charitable donation. They might have partnerships with certain
charities or they might allow you to choose your favorite charity. It’s
definitely a good way to give something back without really spending any of
your own money. Other cashback websites allow you to put the money in an
educational fund for college or university tuition.
Can I use coupons and
still get cash back?
For the most part, yes. Certain retailers won’t allow coupon
codes to be used, but most of them will. Nearly all cashback websites will have
some form of discount or coupon on their website that you can use to purchase
items cheaper while still getting cashback.
What about gift
cards? Can I get cashback for those?
Sometimes you can get cashback for a gift card, but many
retailers don’t allow it. It’s really up to the individual retailer to provide
cashback for gift cards, and most cashback websites cannot guarantee that
you’ll get anything for that purchase.
How will the cashback
websites know I’ve purchased something?
First, you have to go to sign in at the specific website.
When you go to the retailer’s page to purchase something, it will show that
you’ve purchased it through the cashback website. Retailers will generally only
see your account number from the cashback website and no other personal
information. They’ll just know that your transaction came through another
website. It’s important to keep your browser cookies enabled because, if not,
some retailers might not recognize that you’re coming from a cashback site.
Once the retailer acknowledges the transaction with the cashback website, your
account will be credited with cashback.
