• 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): 12.5%
Positive
2
Neutral
1
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 ericae7
Georgia
2 reviews
8 helpful votes
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March 27th, 2015
Verified purchase

So my work computer (everyday laptop) had AdBlock installed by our IT department - thus blocking my ebates purchase. But the people at customer service were so helpful and gave me my money back even though I didn't have a registered shopping trip! So helpful and very quick to reply as well!

Thumbnail of user vivw
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 26th, 2015
Verified purchase

I can't tell you how long it has been since a company offered quick, friendly, and accurate answers regarding account questions. I am very impressed with their customer care department. I am glad I joined Ebates. Keep up the great job :)

Service
Value
Quality
Thumbnail of user desiraef
Texas
1 review
0 helpful votes
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December 16th, 2014
Verified purchase

Ebates has been a fantastic find! I've only recently heard about it, and now that I know about it - I'm already racking up my savings! I love this because 1. It's incredibly easy, especially because I can just link it up to my PayPal account 2. I'm getting things I would already purchase anyway, so it just saves me money 3. The times they have increased cash back offers, savings have been great and lastly, any interaction that I've had with someone from Ebates has been informative and efficiently helpful, whether via email or even when inquiring within the site. I look forward to using Ebates services as well as getting friends to join.

Service
Thumbnail of user adeles4
Maryland
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 15th, 2016
Verified purchase

Shop on line, get cash back. Sounds too good to be true, but it's that easy. Huge list of major stores that participate, so it's not inconvenient. And their customer service is amazing. Super fast response to questions and they make the customer a priority! Use Ebates! You won't be sorry!

Thumbnail of user miaz2
New York
1 review
0 helpful votes
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September 24th, 2015
Verified purchase

Such a great app! Not only an app that give you cash back for your purchase, their customer service is the best! I had a problem about an order through ebates but they were gladly to help me and resolve my problem. I will be shopping from ebates forever! Love it!

Thumbnail of user onag3
Texas
11 reviews
23 helpful votes
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August 19th, 2019

June 2021 I am changing my review from 5 stars to 3 stars. I first signed up when it was still Ebates in 2018, and at first they were great, I was receiving cash back from every store I bought from through their links, even when the product I bought was not a recommend one. But then mid last year every time I went through their site to buy something they had always said, "looks like you didn't purchase anything." So I stopped using them. I have been to many other rebate sites and they basically all suck, I have to buy what they want me to buy in order to get cash back. When Rakuten was good I had received several payments; minus the bonus for signing up. I am probably gonna give them a few more chances, and if things don't change, I will cancel my membership

Thumbnail of user czernya
New York
3 reviews
24 helpful votes
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September 14th, 2018

It might not be tons of money, but a few dollars here and there at my favorite online stores add up over time. It's fun to receive my Big Fat Checks. But sometimes you have to make sure and check your shopping trips. If something is missing, it's easy to claim your rebate by submitting your sales invoice to Ebates and their reps will take care of it quickly. I even saved money booking a hotel room through Ebates Hotels.

Thumbnail of user sydneer
Virginia
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 20th, 2015
Verified purchase

I love ebates! This is a great example of affiliate marketing and getting paid to boot. I don't know why everyone does't use it. I receive quarterly deposits in my paypal account. Even the smallest amount adds up over time. If I had a question, the help center and support is easy to navigate and my questions have always been answered same day by a very nice representative. I can't recommend this site enough. Thank you ebates!

Thumbnail of user michellek44
Pennsylvania
2 reviews
0 helpful votes
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June 12th, 2015
Verified purchase

Ebates is the best kept secret in the USA! While many people have heard of it, they do not understand how simply the concept works and are skeptical about any advantages to be gained. Well, let me say that they are missing out on a wonderful opportunity to 1) make money while shopping and 2) be a part of an amazing program run by highly professional people who have the work ethic and thoroughness of yesterday. Not only do they provide daily notifications of increased % refunds, but they notify the customers each time they earn credit toward their "big, fat check" (quarterly). If you have the chance to do one thing in the immediate future, I highly recommend signing up to be a part of Ebates. I promise that you will not be sorry.

Thumbnail of user cherm2
Japan
1 review
1 helpful vote
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December 5th, 2014
Verified purchase

Ebates rocks! I was hesitant at first to part with information and shopping habits, but the whole process is safe and effortless. If you install the toolbar add-on, it is even simpler. I had changed my address and forgot to tell them. I contacted them (easily and with quick response), and customer service re-issued a check to my new address... with no hassle. Such a great experience overall. I love getting the "Big Fat Checks" as well, even though my dividends have only amounted to $50 over the past 18 months. Hey, better than nothing, right?

Thumbnail of user korreyl
California
7 reviews
39 helpful votes
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November 8th, 2015

I signed up after seeing their ads on t. V., and never saw the promotional cash being advertised added to my account. Also, I have tried to order products through their website only to find out at the end of a transaction that the store I am purchasing from either won't deliver, won't allow pick up or won't take my card.
As well, the rebates offered really don't add up to much unless you are spending exorbitant amounts of money!
Not a website I would recommend to anyone in the grand scheme of things!

Thumbnail of user marieo6
Pennsylvania
1 review
0 helpful votes
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August 24th, 2015
Verified purchase

Ebates is awesome. No gimmicks, no sharing of your email or any personal info... just CASH BACK!
I had a problem with one order on my cash back activity and customer service was so great in correcting it!
Join Ebates today!

Thumbnail of user paulap24
North Carolina
1 review
2 helpful votes
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August 14th, 2015
Verified purchase

As a new user to Ebates I've messed up a few times trying to use the system to earn cash back on my purchases. Every time I have contacted customer service at Ebates I have received a fast response and a quick resolution to my problem. Each person has been very nice and helpful and has straightened out my mess-ups without making me feel so incompetent and dumb. I've earned cash back on several of my purchases now and it is great knowing that I am saving even more money whenever I use their site to shop. I'd recommend their site to anyone who shops online. I'm so glad I know about them myself. Thanks Ebates!

Thumbnail of user marye55
Minnesota
1 review
0 helpful votes
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May 1st, 2015
Verified purchase

Excellent customer service. I sent in an email with a couple of questions and I had my answer in two days. I believe that customer service is one of the biggest problem when buying online. Everyone both on and off line talk about exceeding expectations but it just plain isn't there. So, THANKS Ebates.

Service
Value
Shipping
Returns
Quality
Thumbnail of user tonyh173
Michigan
1 review
0 helpful votes
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July 2nd, 2018

Ive been an ebates user for over a few years and have had 0 issues. I recently booked a hotel through them a few weeks ago. Upon arrival, we only were able to get into a standard double room even though we paid for a deluxe with kitchen. The room was still fine so I just figured id reach out when we got back in town. Ebates provided great customer service and made the situation much better. I was a bit surprised since it wasnt Ebates fault, the hotel made the error. Ebates took care of things and sent notice to the hotel management of the error. I have already booked another stay through Ebates Hotels.

Thumbnail of user junem87
Illinois
4 reviews
0 helpful votes
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June 6th, 2019
Verified purchase

I am pleased with Rakuten for the most part. It would be nice if there were bigger rebates/ It seems that I am not experiencing as much of a rebate lately, even though I have been shopping more. Increase your sites to include more places.

Thumbnail of user marlenek
Canada
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 27th, 2015
Verified purchase

Many thanks to Nicole at Customer Service who quickly resolved my payment issue and took the time to answer my questions promptly and politely. She made the whole experience a truly pleasant one. Good on Ebates for having such competent staff to help their customers.

Thumbnail of user dawnt12
Oregon
1 review
1 helpful vote
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December 16th, 2015
Verified purchase

I've only had a couple of issues with not getting my cash back and Ebates provided the best and fastest customer service! It's so nice in todays hectic world to have a company take the time to care. Thank You!

Thumbnail of user lisat160
Illinois
1 review
1 helpful vote
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March 18th, 2017

I've had to contact them on 2 separate occasions and they have responded the same day. They are great at solving issues and would recommend the service to anyone that is looking for a good rewards program with no hassle.

Thumbnail of user kellyh343
Colorado
1 review
8 helpful votes
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November 18th, 2018

When I first signed up, I noticed I would regularly get ebates. Then after a few months, they stopped or were very infrequent. I would have to email with my order info and jump through hoops to get my ebate. Their automatic response would be, that item was not valid for an ebate. So my shopping pattern is pretty much the same, and yet now the items that I'm buying don't earn ebates as often.

Thumbnail of user patb374
Ohio
1 review
0 helpful votes
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June 6th, 2019
Verified purchase

I have been looking at least 3 months for a dress for my son's upcoming wedding. I finally found something that would work and found it on several of your sites, but Macy's had the best prices, free shipping and delivery was quick. It fits perfect and looks nice.

Thumbnail of user adriennec3
New York
2 reviews
1 helpful vote
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September 30th, 2014
Verified purchase

Ebates is the best site for cash back on purchases made at participating online shopping sites, most of which I already buy from. I recently had a problem with a purchase not being credited, but Ebates customer care was right there to help me. So easy to acquire cash back on my purchases and it definitely adds up. Love getting those cash back checks every quarter. Have recommended Ebates to several people already. Thanks for all the help I've gotten.

Thumbnail of user wyattb20
Japan
4 reviews
18 helpful votes
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June 16th, 2015

Ebates is not a scam. But they do receive money to advertise items, which often results in higher prices for users. They also take a portion of the affiliate kickback. So there is incentive to promote items with high affiliate kickbacks. Items with high kickback to item price ratios most often did not sell well on the primary sellers site. (Normally because they were overpriced). Using Ebates you can get 3% as a rebate in a few months or you could save up to 40% right now using an e-commerce search engine like http://www.ayedeals.com

Thumbnail of user ik226
New York
1 review
0 helpful votes
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May 6th, 2015
Verified purchase

Have used ebates.com for many years. Have earned something like $1,250 back (yep, too much shopping). Have used their CS several times in past for very few missing rebates. Used to take a couple of weeks to resolve but today the whole thing took a few hours and I got my credit before ebates even receiving store verification. Very impressed!

Thumbnail of user alexs281
New York
2 reviews
1 helpful vote
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October 8th, 2015
Verified purchase

Ebates is excellent for a little additional saving. However, you have to be on top of your orders because they tend to miss some cash backs once in a while.
The customer service is excellent and super fast which is really rare these days.
Some companies don't even get back to you!
Over all I'm happy with Ebates and will continue using them.

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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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