Couponing 101: Ebates

The Couponing 101 series continues with an explanation of one of my favorite sites: Ebates. Ebates doesn’t involve actual physical coupons, but you do get money back if you make qualified purchases.

Here’s how it works:

1. Sign up for Ebates at www.ebates.com or use my referral link: http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=hbpGf26lDsl%2F2zOsOOaIRw%3D%3D&eeid=26471

2.  Search for the store you want to shop at online (e.g., Sephora) and click on the link. A lot of stores are on Ebates, but not all, and some stores have stipulations. For example, MAC is not on Ebates, and only certain purchases on Amazon qualify for cash back. Sephora is 4% off your purchase sitewide. When you search for a store qualified purchases will be defined.

3. After you click on the link, you’ll be brought to the online store’s webpage through Ebates. Don’t worry that when it brings you to the store’s webpage it doesn’t say anything about Ebates, that’s normal.

4. Complete a purchase using the webpage that was opened through Ebates.

5. Get cash back. Ebates will send you a check in the mail every quarter. You can also receive your cash back via PayPal instead of a check.

I shop at Sephora regularly and always go through Ebates. So, I sign in at ebates.com, search for Sephora, click on the Sephora link and make a purchase through my Sephora account (using the webpage opened through Ebates). A few days later, usually after the purchase ships, I get an email from Ebates letting me know how much cash back I’ll be getting. Sephora is regularly 4% cash back and it’s sometimes up to 8% cash back. This is awesome when Sephora is having a 10% or 20% sale themselves—you can save 20% then get 8% cash back when the stars align.

You can also make money when people sign up through your referral link. If someone signs up for Ebates through your referral link and makes a qualifying purchase (usually $25+ where the purchaser also earns cash back) you earn money. The amount you earn depends on the current promotion and how many people you refer.

I hope you found this helpful, it's always nice to get some cash back when you shop!

Disclaimer: I receive a cash incentive each time someone signs up through my referral link.