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    Rakuten

Rakuten

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Overview

Rakuten has a rating of 2.7 stars from 2,124 reviews, indicating that most customers are generally dissatisfied with their purchases. Reviewers complaining about Rakuten most frequently mention credit card, referral bonus, and family member problems. Rakuten ranks 5th among Cash Back sites.

  • Service
    187
  • Value
    151
  • Returns
    64
  • Quality
    121

This company does not typically respond to reviews

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 18.2%
Positive
2
Neutral
0
Negative
9
View ratings trends
61
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How would you rate Rakuten?
Top Positive Review

“Amazing Rakuten! Thanks so much Susan!”

Tetiana K.
5/7/24

Rakuten team are the best service I've come across in the US. We are refugees from Ukraine and we are very grateful to Rakuten for such joy as excellent service, impeccable work, patience, respect for the client and professionalism. I will be happy to buy everything only through the Rakuten service. This is a great savings and a great pleasure to know them! Thank you Susan!

Date of experience: 5/6/24
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Top Critical Review

“Thieves”

Cory C.
12/11/24

They never pay what you actually earned. I have yet to have a single transaction pay what was advertised. Even after purchases have been verified they just delete the payout for no reason. 100% scam!

Date of experience: 12/1/24
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Reviews (2,124)

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Reviews that mention popular keywords

customer service (796) customer care (55) shopping trip (51) customer support (36) response time (19) credit card (31) gift card (35)
Thumbnail of user marym153
Ohio
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 5th, 2014
Verified purchase

I've been a member of Ebates for two years and in that time I've saved hundreds of dollars just by shopping through the site. If I ever have a problem, which is rare, customer service has always been very prompt and helpful. I highly recommend this site to anyone who shops online! Why not get money back when shopping? I love Ebates!

Date of experience: December 5, 2014

Thumbnail of user erinnw
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 26th, 2015
Verified purchase

I sent an email last night around 6pm pst to inform that I had not yet received my check in the mail (sent a few weeks prior.) Rachel responded to me within 2 hours and resolved the matter the next day! I am so impressed with Ebates service!

Date of experience: February 26, 2015

Thumbnail of user evelynb11
South Carolina
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 17th, 2016
Verified purchase

Kendrick, EBates customer agent, was helpful. I've included his name in this review because we all had disappointing service with various companies that do not live up to promises. Kendrick either had stocks in Ebates or is an honest hardworking soul. A rare find in this greedy world.

Date of experience: January 17, 2016

Thumbnail of user nh56
California
2 reviews
12 helpful votes
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April 14th, 2015

I purchased a mirror on Rakuten and they promised it would ship in 7 days. It has been weeks and there is no mirror and no notification of shipment. When I try to find out where my order is, I receive a robot email telling me they are not responsible for it! They were quite eager to take my money but they took the money and never delivered the product.

Buyer beware! This internet site appears to be a scam and a rip off. Read the reviews online before you make a purchase. Learn from my $$$ mistake!

Date of experience: April 14, 2015

Thumbnail of user heatherm68
Ohio
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 16th, 2015
Verified purchase

I recently realized that I had let my most recent check from Ebates expire before cashing. I emailed in and got the response that yes they could reissue it and oh by the way you didn't cash one from last year either-want us to reissue it too? Not many companies would be honest and make you aware of something you didn't even bring up, but I applaud them for going the extra mile! Love Ebates even more now!

Date of experience: September 16, 2015

Thumbnail of user laurier19
Oklahoma
3 reviews
1 helpful vote
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January 11th, 2016
Verified purchase

I just recently became active with EBATES and so far am extremely pleased. I can see the deal or cash back offer before I even begin shopping and the cash back accumulates pretty quickly. I had an question recently, and emailed for support. I was so impressed with the quick response I received. They really do care about the members and handle everything to help you have a good experience. I will never shop online again without checking EBATES first. Thanks for this great program.

Date of experience: January 11, 2016

Thumbnail of user lauran49
New York
47 reviews
102 helpful votes
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February 6th, 2018

If you use the click through cash back this works well. What I would not recommend is their auto tracker (or whatever it is called) as it slows down your computer and doesn't track half the things you buy.

Date of experience: February 6, 2018

Thumbnail of user yvonnes124
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 26th, 2019

I love this site, especially since i can get cash back shopping in stores as well as online. So far no problems. Always get an email that tells me how much i've earned right after i've made a purchase.

Date of experience: September 24, 2019

Thumbnail of user lindad552
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 31st, 2019
Verified purchase

Great Experience. I love getting money back from my purchases. There is a great selection of stores/sites. I also like that when I am on a shopping site, your icon pops up and reminds me to go through Rakuten.

Date of experience: July 31, 2019

Thumbnail of user stephaniec42
Ohio
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 9th, 2014
Verified purchase

I love Ebates! I've been a member since 1/2013 & have gotten back over $300 shopping with Ebates. Free cash for buying things I needed anyway! They don't care if you're paying full price or an item's on Clearance... They'll still give you cash back... It's like a discount on top of a discount... AWESOME!

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality

Date of experience: December 9, 2014

Thumbnail of user shannonp36
Wisconsin
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 17th, 2017

I started Ebates during online Christmas shopping and could not believe how easy it was to earn money. I then noticed last week that it could be used on Amazon. I am an Amazon Prime member so this was thrilling to me.
I am not the most internet savvy person and had some user error issues while using Ebates with my Amazon Prime account. Ebates customer service helped me resolve these issues immediately. I could not believe how fast they responded and helped me figure out what I was doing wrong. On one of my Amazon orders, it did not qualify but they gave me credit as a courtesy which was super nice. I love Ebates! I highly recommend them if you love saving money!

Date of experience: March 17, 2017

Thumbnail of user andrewb116
Connecticut
1 review
6 helpful votes
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August 31st, 2015

Ebates is trying to get more people by offering $25 for each friend.
I have referred three friends but now Ebates is refusing to send me a check.
Send them multiple emails. Did not get a response for two weeks. Finally got a response saying that they refuse to issue a check.
This is complete waist of time.
Use your credit card offers like Discover, which is more reliable than Ebates.
I would recommend to stay away from Ebates. There are much better ways to save money.

Date of experience: August 31, 2015

Thumbnail of user judyj35
California
2 reviews
2 helpful votes
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June 1st, 2017

I absolutely LOVE this company! They are true to their word with their cash back promo's; and if on the off chance there is a problem to be solved, they act on it almost immediately! I have never had such a good response from any customer service member ANYWHERE! I also love that they give you cash back for shopping at places where you would normally shop anyway, without jumping through hoops! I have referred friends and will continue to do so, this is a "too good to be true" that is just plain too good and absolutely true! I will be with them for life!

Date of experience: June 1, 2017

Thumbnail of user kevinh78
Wisconsin
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 5th, 2014
Verified purchase

We had an issue with our Ebates account that was seemingly complex. Because of that, we contacted Ebates via email. Sure, it took a couple of days for them to initially respond, but the quality level of dedicated, personalized service that was offered to us in regards to the issue was extraordinary! Rachel went out of her to ensure that the problem was taken care of, and better yet, she explained to us via frequent communications what was going on with our account. This type of service is not customary for large companies, small companies, or any company anymore. Yet, Ebates and Rachel exceeded the expectations in a remarkable way!

Date of experience: December 5, 2014

Thumbnail of user tarat38
New York
1 review
6 helpful votes
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October 27th, 2017

I've been using Ebates for a couple years now. I always get the correct cash back for store purchases. However, it is extremely hit or miss when it comes to receiving travel cash back. I seem to spend more time contacting customer service and sending in information they already have. Eventually the cash back is received, but the amount of time spent fixing all their errors is frustrating and getting old quickly. They need to do a better job of actually delivering what they advertise without the customer having to spend hours doing their work.

Date of experience: October 27, 2017

Thumbnail of user eh72
Virginia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 19th, 2018

When I was introduced to Ebates I was skeptical, it sounded too good to be true. My skepticism has long since passed. They are Rock Solid in every way, I can't understand why anyone who uses the web to shop doesn't use Ebates. It's free money, plain and simple. Make sure you install the browser plugin that way when you visit a site that offers cash back Ebates displays a banner allowing you to activate your visit on the site.

In the several years I have been using them there has only been one issue, which they corrected immediately. The problem was with the merchant Dell, not them. Despite the fact that Dell indicated the purchase was made via phone and not the internet Ebates still gave me the cash back. It was almost $50 and they stepped up no problem.

Like I said, it's free money plain and simple.

Date of experience: July 19, 2018

Thumbnail of user mikel14
Minnesota
6 reviews
23 helpful votes
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August 18th, 2017

Not a single transaction has gone thru in 2 months. Their website is the WORSE when it comes to needing help. Their transaction "lookup" page doesn't work for diddly. Almost impossible to contact them. I'm in the process of seeing what their response to this mess will be. So far, nothing

Date of experience: August 18, 2017

Thumbnail of user paulenw
Maryland
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 24th, 2019
Verified purchase

What ever type purchase if it be large or small Rakuten has your money back. The money back process is fast and very efficient. Why would anyone would past up a chance to obtain free money? You shop at your favorite sites for the cash back. Every body loves shopping! I truly am a devoted participant. Thank you

Date of experience: April 23, 2019

Thumbnail of user jiar3
California
1 review
7 helpful votes
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November 11th, 2017

Recently Ebates closed my colleagues' and mine account and told us we are abusing their 5 $ referral bonus system. Pretty absurd accusation. But fine, they asked to confirm our identity by providing tons of documents.
After we all did that, they still closed all of our accounts.
SPAM, stay away!

Date of experience: November 11, 2017

Thumbnail of user abbyt26
Maryland
1 review
6 helpful votes
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September 25th, 2019

Horrible customer service. I've been a customer for over 15 years, and they keep sending me emails about making referrals. I finally make 1 referral, and they credit my account with the bonus, then take it away with no explanation. When I ask why, they lock up my account and accuse me of trying to cheat them with the 1 referral! The person I referred does not have an account with them, but Rakuten insists he does. I can't believe how badly they're treating me after 15 years as their customer. I will be taking my business to Topcashback from now on. They have higher rebates, and decent customer service, unlike Rakuten.

Date of experience: September 25, 2019

Thumbnail of user jeweln6
Missouri
1 review
1 helpful vote
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May 9th, 2017

Ebates handled my phone in order to a participating store super fast. I sent them all the info they needed and within a couple hours the matter had been settled. I would highly recommend using Ebates on all their participating stores. Every little bit saved helps and their birthday gift promo of 15% is fantastic. Thank you Ebates!

Date of experience: May 9, 2017

Thumbnail of user claudiar13
Texas
1 review
2 helpful votes
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March 1st, 2016

While customer service did provide a response quickly, it never resulted in anything positive. I emailed 3 times inquiring about a check they sent me back in mid December but I never received. It was my first experience with ebates and initially I recommended it to all of my colleagues which I now regret. This is not what I expected from shopping on Ebates.

Date of experience: March 1, 2016

Thumbnail of user ashleyb90
Idaho
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 7th, 2015
Verified purchase

My local post office has somehow managed to screw up my mail the past few weeks, which happened to be the week my ebates cash back check was mailed. One email to ebates support & 30 mins later it was all resolved! They even informed me I had a check from a year ago that had not been cashed either, which I had no idea. They sent both checks with the next month's check. Could not have gone smoother! Another reason to love ebates!

Date of experience: September 7, 2015

Thumbnail of user curtb34
Minnesota
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 31st, 2019
Verified purchase

It automatically identified the site was eligible for Rakuten and set up so that I would get credit on purchases. During checkout, it identified that there were several 'coupons' available which it auto-applied in order to find the best one. Very nice experience.

Date of experience: July 31, 2019

Thumbnail of user donnaf20
New York
1 review
1 helpful vote
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July 9th, 2015
Verified purchase

I questioned cash back on a purchase I made and the customer service team quickly investigated and credited my account. It was an extremely positive experience. Customer service seems to really be lacking these day but not with Ebates, they're on their game!

Date of experience: July 9, 2015

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From the business

Rakuten is the new Ebates! Rakuten is the premier Cash Back shopping site that pays you. Join today and start earning Cash Back at your favorite stores. How does it work? We pay members Cash Back when they shop at over 2,500 stores, plus find them the best deals and coupons. With over 12 million members and $1 billion in Cash Back paid out, Rakuten is the easiest and most rewarding way to shop. Become a member today and start shopping smarter. Follow us for the latest sales, member-exclusive offers and more.

Business History

Ebates is the pioneer and leader of online Cash Back Shopping. The company was founded in 1998 by two Deputy District Attorneys in Silicon Valley who used to prosecute online fraud & identity theft before starting Ebates (so you can be sure we are very into secure online transactions!). So go ahead, sign up and start shopping now. Joining Ebates is always free - you'll never pay us anything. And four times a year or more, we'll mail you a Big Fat Check, or transfer the money to your PayPal account if you'd prefer. We can even send the money to your favorite charity. All 100% free.

Company Representative

Thumbnail of user ebatess
Ebates S.
Typically does not respond to reviews

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