I’ve written before about cash-back shopping sites, which offer rebates for buying through the stores you always use. If you use Amazon, certain deals just got a little better.
Sister companies Ebates and FatWallet now offer 3% cash-back on Amazon purchases in specific categories. Through today, they are:
- Amazon Instant Video
- MP3 downloads
- Exercise and fitness
- Motorcycle and ATV
As of July 11, the Ebates categories will change to:
- Sports and outdoors
- Toys
- MP3 downloads
- Automotive
FatWallet’s cash-back choices will change on Monday, July 18, as part of the site’s back-to-school promotion.
According to FatWallet/Ebates spokesman Brent Shelton, the categories will change regularly but always with a focus on “helping consumers save a little more when shopping for seasonal items.”
Getting started
If you’re not an Ebates user, I hope you’ll consider joining with my affiliate referral link, which would mean a little bonus for me. And for you: After making a $25 purchase through the Ebates network, new members will receive their choice of a $5 Ebates card or a $10 card for Barnes & Noble, Home Depot, Target or Magazines.com.
To join FatWallet, just go to www.fatwallet.com and sign up. Note: The site’s forums are an excellent way to get advice and save money every day. Its members are real deal hounds who sniff out the best prices and post them regularly.
How to cash in on your funds? Ebates sends its checks out quarterly upon request. FatWallet cuts checks on request once you’ve hit $10, or will send any amount at any time to a PayPal account.
Even though I don’t buy a lot, cash-back shopping has made a noticeable difference in my purchasing power. I’ve used it to get better deals on Groupons, plane tickets, used books, floral deliveries, rental cars, toiletries, discounted gift cards, wool socks, business cards and the Entertainment Book.
Now I’ll be keeping an eye on those Amazon categories. I’d suggest you do the same.
I love ebates and tend to use it for all my shopping online. However, I don’t believe they are doing the cash back currently on MP3’s that appears to only be fatwallet.
Amazon showing cash back for MP3’s today on Ebates.
@Tara: I just checked and Ebates is, indeed, doing MP3s.
I used ebates once and I never recieved my check, I have to see if I reached the 10 dollar threshold. But I have not been back on their site for over a year now. I will see if I can take advantage again. Thanks for the update with Amazon. I do use them a lot.
@RichUncleEl: You have to request a check — Ebates doesn’t mail them out as a matter of course. But if you did and it never arrived, I’d follow up on that.
Thanks for reading, and for leaving a comment.
Grrrr – it wasn’t listed on my ebates yesterday but is showing up today. Wish I would have waited to download stuff then, as I never really use fat wallet and they don’t cut a check till $10.00. I typically never download music (use spotify to listen) but I’m going on a road trip and needed some good music to listen to!
@Tara: Apparently you can request a PayPal payment before $10. Have fun on the road!
Any comment(s) on the movement to make Amazon.com etc. charge sales tax now?