Rakuten review: is it legit or a scam? How to use Rakuten to get cash back shopping.
Tips, hacks, and everything you need to know.
It’s got to be a scam. Or there has to be some catch. It’s advertised on TV. With cheesy commercials. It just doesn’t make sense. Why would a company give me cash back for shopping somewhere else?!
I first saw advertisements for Rakuten (which was Ebates then) back in 2017. Despite my skepticism, I signed up. After making sure that I didn’t have to give them any credit card information. (You don’t.)
I clicked on one of the stores. Shopped like normal.
What happened?
Well, they gave me $10 free after my first purchase. And cash back on my shopping trip to Amazon. Yep, seriously.
No points I had to redeem for gift cards. No arguments. The cash back and $10 bonus for signing up showed up on my Rakuten balance. And the next time they issued money (they issue your balance to you four times a year), the money showed up in my PayPal account. (You can also get a check issued).
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>>>Join Rakuten and get $30 FREE<<<
Table of contents
TL;DR
It’s not a scam.
You get cash back for shopping.
And get your money back 4 times a year.
Is Rakuten a scam?
My very first question was “Is Rakuten legit or is it a scam?”
The screenshot below answers that question. I’ve gotten $1,377.17 since 2017. Yep, over $1,300. And I’ve only ever bought stuff I was going to buy anyways. Flowers for Mother’s Day. Clothes. Christmas presents.
I’m going to be straight-up honest though, if you’re buying stuff just to get cash back, you’re wasting money. (That’s the downfall of many cash back sites for people…they buy stuff just to get points/cash/rewards.)
Or if you’re buying new when you would normally buy used…you’re wasting money.
How Rakuten makes money: why it works
Before anything else, let me explain how it works. And how they make money. Because they’re not giving you money out of the goodness of their own heart.
What happens is that the stores involved give Rakuten a commission (usually a percentage of the sale) for referring us. For example, Macy’s might give Rakuten 5% of my purchase value for referring me. Rakuten turns around and gives me 2% of the purchase value and pockets the other 3%.
It’s win-win-win. The store wins because they get a customer. Rakuten wins because they pocket a commission. We win because we get part of that commission.
Step-by-step guide to get your money
How does Rakuten work for you? It’s easy-peasy.
- Sign up using this link: Join Rakuten!
- On the top bar (see image below), click where it says “Join Now.”
3. Sign up using your e-mail, Facebook, Google, or Apple. (I use my e-mail).
4. Pick a store. Click on it and Rakuten will direct you to the store. Shop just like normal and spend at least $30.
5. Within a few days (usually), you’ll see your $30 bonus for signing up and your cash back from the store show up on your Rakuten balance.
6. Rakuten pays out quarterly. You can get your money back via PayPal (what I use) or a check.
Different ways to use Rakuten
There are three different ways to use Rakuten to get cash back: Rakuten website, Rakuten extension, Rakuten app.
Rakuten website
I do some of my shopping by going directly to the Rakuten site. Then clicking through to the store of my choice. I do this particularly on Mother’s Day as I can see the various deals. They usually have FABULOUS cash back on flowers from multiple merchants. I got 20% cash back one year.
Rakuten extension
If I don’t go directly to the website, I have the extension in my browser. I’ve been amazed at the wide variety of stores that work with Rakuten. I recently discovered Popcornopolis gives cash back!
Rakuten app
I haven’t used the app much, but for eating out, this is a great option. There are also stores that offer in-store cash back.
Here’s a preview of my local area and the restaurants that have cash back.
Here’s a preview of my local area and the retail stores that have in-store cash back.
>>>Join Rakuten and get $30 FREE<<<
Frequently asked questions
Is it free?
—Yes, absolutely. It doesn’t and won’t ever cost you a cent to use the service. In fact, you get a bonus (it’s currently $30) for your first purchase!
Do you recommend it?
—Yes, absolutely. I use it all the time. And with the extension I talked about above, it automatically pops up on my screen to get cash back when I visit a qualified store.
How much do I get back?
—It depends upon the store and the time. I shop at Macy’s a lot. It usually varies between 2% and 8%, but I’ve seen it higher. Other stores are regularly 10%. And Rakuten has double cash back days! Watch for those.
I’m a Macy’s card holder, and they give me rewards. When I have cash there, I wait until a double cash-back day to go spend it.
I forgot to go through Rakuten. Can I still get cash back?
—Nope. You have to go directly from Rakuten to the store. Or use the browser button, push “activate,” and purchase while you’re there.
You have to join…you have nothing to lose
You have to try it out. You have nothing to lose. It’s free to join. Just click the bright pink words below, sign-up, make your first purchase, and get your FREE $30 plus cash back on your purchase.
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