Bing Cashback!

[Omegaman]

Microsoft has recently announced it's new Cashback Program using Bing.com  This program works with online retailers and merchants by offering a certain % cash rebate on any or all items listed on that site.  The catch is you must use Bing.com to navigate to the website to get credit for the purchase.  There are hundreds and probably thousands of merchants listed.  This is an easy way to make some money back on everyday stuff that you normal purchase online. 

How this works in brief:

1) Go to Bing.com
2) Click on "Shopping"
3) In the middle of the page it lists "Cashback Stores" you can click to view all which are sorted alphabetically.
4) Each store provides opportunity for a % cashback on purchases made at that site.  Some will provide free shipping simply as part of the Cashback program.  Find the store you want to shop at and click "Go To Store"
5) A Java app will pop up logging you into your Windows Live account (hotmail, etc. account).  Once logged in (you may have to enter your password), you will be linked to the store.
6) Shop as you normally would and make your purchase.
7) When the purchase is complete you will recieve an e-mail to your Windows Live account informing you of your potential cashback rebate for your purchase.

That's it!  You will have to wait 60 days to be eligible to receive the rebate from Microsoft for your purchase.  This is to allow time to return the item so you aren't getting rebates after returning items.  If you have a minimum of $5.00, you can transfer your Cashback balance to Paypal or another account you set up. 

Surprisingly, Ebay offers 2% cashback as "Ebay bucks" as well as 8% Cashback from Microsoft for items paid with by Paypal on Buy It Now items.  Other stores have similar deals up to 10%+ Cashback just for purchasing an item. 

Summary:  If you shop online, you'd be foolish not to spend a few minutes linking your Windows Live e-mail to a Bing.com Cashback program if you do any type of shopping online.  The list of online retailers participating are extensive and include most of the major shopping sites.

[FizzyMyNizzy]

Any fee? or subscription fee? of any kind?

[Nazgrax]

Any fee? or subscription fee? of any kind?

[Omegaman]

Any fee? or subscription fee? of any kind?

None whatsoever.  So it sounds like you are like me and wondering why Microsoft would do this -- what's their motivation or incentive for doing this.

My speculation is two-fold.  One, I think Microsoft really wants to incentivize people to start using Bing.com over Google and really drive some traffic to Bing.com.  Additionally, I think that Microsoft really wants to tap into the huge advertising conglomerate that Google has become.  Microsoft has launched "Microsoft Advertising" branch of the company and since you must search shopping sites from Bing.com, my guess is your shopping and searching habits on those sites are tracked and sent to Microsoft.  My guess is the cashback rebates are a drop in the bucket compared to how valuable that shopping information is worth to them.

That's just my speculation.

[FizzyMyNizzy]

I sign up.. but not sure what to get yet.. Tho, I think they sell my information to get money..

My information > 2% cash back etc..

I heard about bing when it first started.. didnt use it.. i thought there was hidden fees lol =P...

Can I use google chrome when i use bing...... doesn't really have a icon are anything hmmmm... =S

[Omegaman]

Yeah I use Chrome all the time and it works fine for Bing.com

[Omegaman]

Also realize, I do my normal searching from Google.  When I finally decide what I want to purchase, that's when I log on to Bing.com and link to that store.  So, all the information Microsoft's going to get from me is where I went from Bing.com straight to the site and purchase the item I want.  /closebrowser   

[Omegaman]

I got this e-mail this morning:

Bing cashback
Dear valued cashback customer:

We are writing to notify you that the Bing cashback program will be discontinued, and the last day to earn cash back on your Bing Shopping purchases will be July 30, 2010.   

Until July 30, 2010 9:00 pm PST, it's business as usual so continue to take advantage of great offers from your favorite merchants. You can redeem all of your earned cashback savings consistent with the cashback terms and conditions and access the Bing cashback customer support system through July 30, 2011. We encourage you to redeem your cashback savings and to further support redemption, we are waiving the $5 minimum payout effective July 31, 2010. To assist with prompt delivery of your cashback earnings, please visit http://cashbackaccount.bing.com to ensure your account information is current. For more details and answers to your questions, please visit our frequently asked questions page.

Thank you very much for being a loyal cashback user.  We remain committed to delivering great value to our customers, and we are currently working on an exciting new program which you will hear more about from us later this summer.

Sincerely,

Bing cashback team