• Rakuten

Rakuten

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Overview

Rakuten has a rating of 2.7 stars from 2,123 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 4th among Cash Back sites.

  • Service
    186
  • Value
    150
  • Returns
    63
  • Quality
    120

This company does not typically respond to reviews

Positive reviews (last 12 months): 13.3%
Positive
2
Neutral
0
Negative
13
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!

Top Critical Review

“Dishonest and unreliable”

J W.
5/21/24

They boast a 25% cashback if I buy something from Temu, which I did. I was sure the system activated this cashback just before purchase. However, they never sent me this cashback, despite my multiple attempts to claim it. First they tried to play stupid by simply repeating the info I already submitted a few times, then they didn't even bother to reply in the end. I will let both Temu and other customers know how dishonest and unreliable they are.

Reviews (2,123)

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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 chantalm3
New Jersey
1 review
0 helpful votes
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May 7th, 2015
Verified purchase

Not only is it great to earn cash back at places you shop anyway, but EBates customer service is great! They got back to me the same day with an issue that I had and it was quickly resolved. They were so easy to work with.

Thumbnail of user teed38
Canada
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 18th, 2021

I had an issue with some cash back so i reached out to rakuten which was very easy and i got a response within the hour and everything was updated plus a bonus that i was unaware of their team is amazing! 10/10

Thumbnail of user eo205
California
1 review
1 helpful vote
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December 27th, 2014
Verified purchase

Ebates has phenomenal customer service! It's easy to know if they've received my email, and then they respond with a real person.
Alexis responded to my various inquiries over the Christmas holiday and followed through over the Christmas holiday.
I was hesitant to use Ebates because it seemed like a distant strange almost unnecessary website, but the customer service and the cash back was almost too easy to receive and to track! Thank you!

Thumbnail of user kimc59
Wisconsin
1 review
1 helpful vote
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October 22nd, 2014

I had an issue with a retailer not giving credit for my purchase so I contacted Ebates and they quickly took care of the issue. They responded right away I was very happy as most places do not respond and act so efficiently.

Thumbnail of user bridgety
South Carolina
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 1st, 2016
Verified purchase

I have had a few issues, Wethersfield it be through a mistake of my own, the website, or someone I referred, when I have sent an email I not only get a response quickly, but the issues are handled promptly and not with why the mistake what's the problem. It is here you go we followed up and they are taken care of without all the hype. The customer service employees very rarely hear the good. But I give Thanks after Thanksgiving how well you handle issues. Your great

Thumbnail of user met133
Texas
1 review
3 helpful votes
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May 26th, 2017

They're great about crediting you small amounts, but anything over a couple of dollars is likely to get lost ("the vendor didn't report your purchase" is the usual claim) and then you have to send them proof of purchase, and obtw it has to be exactly to their specifications. They have "special offers" where you're supposed to get larger-than-normal rebates but you better screen shot them otherwise when they DO end up crediting you it will be for the base amount.

Tip for consumers:
Use another service like Giving Assistant that actually credits you in the same day

Service
Quality
Thumbnail of user shirleyw143
West Virginia
1 review
1 helpful vote
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April 28th, 2019
Verified purchase

After I got signed up and logged in the rest was a breeze. There are so many stores that I shopped online before I started using Rakuten and didn't get a rebate. So now whenever I start shopping online I go directly to Rakuten and find my store. And then I anxiously wait to see what my rebate will be. I've shared it with many friends and I love it. Thank you Rakuten.

Thumbnail of user valarief3
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 7th, 2015
Verified purchase

I cannot say enough about the quick and helpful response I received from Alexis at Ebates customer service. I had an issue with my check being lost and within 24 hours the problem was resolved with no hassle what so ever. On other occasions I have asked about missing credits and again- credit was given within hours no hassles! Thank you Ebates for being such a great company to deal with! I have recommended your site to all my shopaholic friends!

Service
Value
Thumbnail of user tstewart0124
California
1 review
2 helpful votes
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January 8th, 2024

HORRIBLE AND A RIPOFF. I referred 9 people and 3 signed up plus made qualifying purchases. No referral has been sent. They send links to click that are broken. When asked for a representative it says " due to covid they don't want to risk employees therefore they can't have a rep call you nor leave voice messages" Huh!? I'm so annoyed that I warned everyone else that I referred to NOT use them nor my referral for this reason. BEWARE! Also you have to keep track of your own account to file your missing funds.

Thumbnail of user gailg43
Nevada
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 25th, 2018

I love ebates. Its no extra work, and even if a company doesnt get the cash award to ebates, ebates will pay me. I just have to show them the evidence of my purchase. They keep their word. Their customer service is awesome. Love, love, love! Makes up for all the other deals that do not stand behind what they claim. Thank you ebates!

Thumbnail of user donnah50
Iowa
22 reviews
16 helpful votes
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June 30th, 2015
Verified purchase

I signed up with Ebates almost 2 years ago, and my ONLY regret is that I didn't do it sooner. With the Ebates button on my web browser, I can activate an Ebates "shopping trip" with one click. The button displays a green border to show it's been activated. That's it. After I've finished shopping and paid for my merchandise, Ebates sends an email telling me what my rebate amount will be. I get a check once a quarter - a bonus rebate on things I was buying anyway. Customer service is fabulous; the staff is courteous, professional, and knowledgeable. I couldn't be more pleased with this service. And I *love* the Daily Doubles - some merchants increase their rebates by double or sometimes more. By careful planning, I've been able to save money through Ebates' alerting me to coupons and sales, and I get money back in the form of a rebate check each quarter. I highly recommend Ebates to all my family and friends.

Thumbnail of user brendat7
Florida
17 reviews
54 helpful votes
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July 23rd, 2015

I shop ebates.com at least 3 times a week. Always looking up to see if they give rebates for a certain store. If I don't buy enough to get free shipping, I will order through ebates.com and pick up at the store. Example: Walmart, Lowes, Sears etc. Sometimes it is only 1% payback but it all adds up. When I needed a new chair for my TV room, went to a website through ebates.com and got paid back around 15.00. I am really glad I found ebates.com and I am telling all my friends to use it. Some people think it's a bother, don't think that way. It's really fun and a may get a big check or small one - and I love it.

Thumbnail of user deannb1
Georgia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 7th, 2015
Verified purchase

Heide in customer service is so wonderful. I did not receive my Big Fat Check in the mail. Not because it wasn't sent out but perhaps it just got lost int he mail. She got back with me within minutes to let me know another check would be sent out in a few weeks. That is exceptional service in my mind! Ebates is such a wonderful program. I love that you actually get money back just for shopping at your favorite stores! How can you not sign up? Thanks Ebates for doing a wonderful job!

Thumbnail of user judithc127
Virginia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 31st, 2019
Verified purchase

I have had Ebates, now Rakuten, on my computer for several years. It notifies me if I am eligible for a rebate when making online purchases. It also notifies me if I could get a better deal at another site. I have received over $200 in rebate checks to date and continue to recommend this service.

Thumbnail of user linp2
California
1 review
7 helpful votes
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October 9th, 2014

I was so scared to use this company from reading reviews but I was looking for a particular modem and they had it so cheap that I was willing to risk losing the money. The retail for this modem was around $80 and I got it for $25. I waited 6 months to write review because I was certain it would fall apart and I'd have to complain. But. It still works great and is saving me money on my internet provider bill! No problems here.

Thumbnail of user jackied23
Rhode Island
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 2nd, 2015
Verified purchase

I love eBates! I've been using and recommending them for several months now and a few weeks ago, my cash back after purchasing from Dell. I contacted eBates and within the same day, they looked into it and my cash back was visible in my account. This is a great service with great customer service too!

Thumbnail of user elizabethh15
New York
2 reviews
5 helpful votes
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December 5th, 2014

I ordered a computer from the bestbuy.com site that was fulfilled by buy.com/Rakuten. The product was shipped quickly, but when it arrived it had specs significantly inferior to what I ordered. I spent 30 minutes on the phone with customer service who ultimately concluded that the specifications listed online were a "mistake". Given that a less knowledgable customer would not likely have realized they didn't receive what they paid for my conclusion is that this was a scam.

Thumbnail of user crystala5
Kansas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 24th, 2015
Verified purchase

I have been having a difficult time with my Ebates registering. I keep filing claims because they aren't being picked up by my iPad. I have been through the ringer lately but feel like there was a lot of help in getting this resolved. I appreciate all the kind & helpful people!

Thumbnail of user courtneym42
Ohio
1 review
1 helpful vote
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January 23rd, 2015
Verified purchase

Stephanie in customer care was a pleasure to work with. She was very prompt, nice and offered excellent advice on how to use Ebates when buying from Amazon. She was able to solve my problem and explain how to avoid the same issue on my next purchase. I am very satisfied with Ebates. Thank you Stephanie for being a great help! I wish more customer care reps were as helpful and kind as you

Service
Value
Thumbnail of user taral12
Oregon
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 6th, 2015
Verified purchase

I am a loyal Ebates customer and recently had my first experiences working with their customer service department. I was so impressed by the speed, efficacy, and warmth of the customer service reps I corresponded with, Stephanie and Anthony. I really appreciated how thoroughly they handled my requests and was just amazed by how quickly they responded. Just another reason to love Ebates! It is a great service with wonderful staff. Thanks guys!

Thumbnail of user jenniferc78
California
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 10th, 2015
Verified purchase

I had a "big fat check" that we had tried to cash using our bank's "mobile" checking. The app with our bank said that this check did not go through, so we intended to cash it in person, but my husband forgot to follow up. We found it today and it was expired, so we emailed asking if the check could be re-issued.
Ebates's (Seth) response was extremely quick and they stated that the check had actually been cashed and had the date it went through. With this info, I was able to check our account and see that the check DID, in fact, go through. I am so appreciative of the time that Seth took in responding and with how extremely prompt and thorough he was! Thank you so much!

Thumbnail of user annieh28
Florida
1 review
0 helpful votes
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March 25th, 2016
Verified purchase

Any time I appear to be missing cash back on an order, Customer Service responds very quickly and takes care of my question. I appreciate the courtesy cash back they give when I made an order in good faith, but wasn't eligible. Thank you, Ebates!

Thumbnail of user andrewm690
Illinois
2 reviews
5 helpful votes
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January 5th, 2024

They heavily push their customers to refer people and offer referral bonuses. Using their advertised programs I got up to $130 in referral bonuses and was feeling pretty good! However, soon before it was time to pay up the bonuses just disappeared from my account. I contacted customer service vial email. 5 days later all they sent back was a link to their public facing referral bonus page. I tried to call customer service and they have a message saying they cant take calls. I tried the chat. It requires me to verify my account by clicking a link, but the link leads to a dead page.

They clearly do not want their customers to have access to someone who can address issues like this. Further, its pretty underhanded to dangle a carrot, get me to talk people into making an account and buying something, only to take away the small benefit I was supposed to get.

Below is proof of ne of the bonuses that was taken away. It was awarded on November 22 and taken away over a month after being reflected on my account. The same thing happened with the three other referral bonuses that disappeared.

Tip for consumers:
I would not waste your time with this company. While it is nice to get a bit of a rebate here and there, they take money out of your account and I have been unable to get anyone to look at this for the last 5 days.

Products used:
Where there was a verified purchase leading to cash back, they have not taken that away. Only the referral bonuses.

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user kerryb52
Michigan
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 5th, 2018

I love getting cash back for purchases I would make anyway. Its like getting an extra discount! And their customer service is amazing. I placed a rather large order in the wrong browser not linked in Ebates. I contacted customer service and they credited it to me anyway- rather quickly too!

Thumbnail of user christym98
Maine
1 review
0 helpful votes
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April 28th, 2019
Verified purchase

I really like Rakuten. It's simple to use, lots of stores, and of course making money while shopping is awesome! The only con I would have is sometimes, after spending what I think is a lot, the money I get back isn't much. All in all, I am happy with it!

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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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