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Rakuten, formerly known as Ebates, is a great website.
In fact, it is hands down the best cash back site I’ve ever used.
This is my honest review of Rakuten.
I love using this website but for the most part I tend to forget about it.
I almost went through a breakdown when I realized that I had been missing out on hundreds even thousands of dollars in cash back.
To avoid this, I have now installed the chrome extension. I’ll discuss this tool a little later.
I’m reviewing this website because I just couldn’t hold out on my wonderful readers.
This is a site that has put cash back into my pocket and I want to pay it forward.
What is Rakuten?
Rakuten is a cash back shopping site that will pay you to do what you do anyhow. Shop.
Yes, you shop and probably a lot, why not get paid for it.
Rakuten has so many stores that you can choose to shop at and get cashback on your purchases.
Some of the Rakuten stores that are available are:
- Walmart
- Samsung
- Carter’s
- BuyBuy Baby
- Macy’s
- Kohl’s
- Amazon
- Gymboree
- Adidas
The list goes on and on.
Seriously. There are thousands of stores to choose from.
This can cause you to feel a little overwhelmed.
Quick Tip
To avoid feeling the overwhelm from having too many options, focus on the stores you already shop at.
Most people have favorite stores where they get certain things from.
If this is the case for you, shop where you normally shop.
And if you’re feeling adventurous, try out a couple of new stores to add to your list of favorites.
Don’t think that you have to explore all the stores that are offered.
Is it a Scam?
Not a chance! This website is nowhere near being a scam.
Everything is open and honest when it comes to this company.
They don’t hold anything back and there are no surprises down the line.
What you see is literally what you get.
If someone ever tells you that the former Ebates is a scam, don’t believe it.
Take it from someone who has used this website for years.
I’ve made money from this company and I received my money when I reached the threshold, just as they said I would.
What’s the Catch?
There is no catch. You shop at one of the stores that they work with.
Then you’ll get a certain percentage back on your purchases.
A lot of stores you will receive between 1%-3% cash back.
I’ll tell you the honest truth, there is no catch.
I’ve used this website before and I haven’t come across a catch yet.
If I do, you’ll be the first to know.
How Much Does Rakuten Cost to Join?
Nothing!
Joining Rakuten is completely free, forever and always.
You will never have to pay for anything.
It’s free to create an account, free to choose stores and free to earn CASH BACK.
Think about the insurance commercial that says, “Free, free, free, free, free.”
That’s how I like to think about this website because it’s true.
You pay nothing! Pretty awesome right?
How Does it Work?
I know what you are probably thinking, this makes no sense.
If there are no fees to me then how does this website make money.
Easy.
Through their website they are referring over 2,000 store to us, the customers.
When we shop at one of their listed stores they get a referral fee from the store.
They in turn share a portion of that referral fee with us for referring others.
And they are always adding new stores.
So if there is a store that you shop at and can’t find them, keep checking because they are bound to be added soon.
This site does not have a steep learning curve either.
All you do is sign into your account, choose the store you want to shop at, and shop the way you always do.
After doing this you will automatically earn free cash back.
Google Chrome Extension
Remember how I said you have to sign into your account and choose the store, blah,blah,blah?
Well, now there’s an even easier way to shop and get cash back.
I have made cash back with this website but I could have made thousands of extra dollars.
But you know what, out of sight out of mind.
Even though this site is amazing, I would most times forget to use it because it wasn’t in my face.
Now, I have the Google Chrome Extension by Rakuten.
All you have to do is install the extension from the chrome store.
Then when you go to a website to shop, even if you forget about it, you will get a notification if the store you are on is one of the stores on the list.
And even if it doesn’t pop up, get used to clicking on the ‘R’ that is in the right-hand corner of your browser.
This extension will show you the total earned and the cashback that is pending.
It will also display recently visited stores, making it easier to return.
How Do I Get My $10 Welcome Bonus?
Sign up through my link, then spend your first $25 and you will automatically receive your $10 welcome bonus in your account.
Yep, it’s that simple.
The welcome bonus is my thanks to you for reading this review.
Where’s the Proof?
Okay, you’ve heard a lot about this website in this review.
But I bet now you’re wondering if this is really legit.
It is.
I always say the proof is in the puddin’.
Well, I have the proof right here.
A disclaimer here is that I haven’t made a whole lot from this website just yet.
But the point is that I did make something and I have been paid what I’m owed without any issues.
As I earn more money from shopping with Rakuten I will update this post with more screenshots.
I think it’ll be fun to see how much I can earn over time.
Here goes the proof:
As you can see next to my name in the top right corner, Brittanie, it says $14.15.
Now that’s not a lot at all but it’s something.
Any chance that I have to make some extra money, I’m going to do it because it all counts.
Plus it can add up!
Can I Still Use Coupons and Promotional Codes?
Yes!
Most definitely!
You can still use coupons and promotional codes on this cash back website.
In fact, you can find coupons and promotional codes right on this website.
You never even have to leave the website to look for discounts and coupon codes.
Final Takeaway
Use Rakuten website to earn free cashback on your regular purchases and more.
A perk for you reading my review is that you get a free $10 welcome bonus.
When you sign up through my link, spend $25, you will receive a $10 welcome bonus.
Was my review helpful? Do you use Rakuten, yet? Let me know in the comments below!
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