• 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 giang.hminh
France
1 review
0 helpful votes
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November 6th, 2024

Les vendeurs professionnels sur ce site ne sont pas fiables. Un vendeur pro (jinliangshop) m'a vendu un téléphone qui est tombé en panne deux mois après l'achat. Je lui ai renvoyé le téléphone pour réparation, mais depuis, il fait silence radio, et il m'est impossible de porter plainte. Rakuten se désiste de toute responsabilité. A absolument éviter si vous voulez avoir une garantie.

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Value
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Thumbnail of user vaxusvaxu
New Jersey
8 reviews
8 helpful votes
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May 21st, 2024

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.

Service
Value
Shipping
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Quality
Thumbnail of user tetianak13
Florida
1 review
0 helpful votes
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May 7th, 2024
Verified purchase

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!

Products used:
Vacuum

Service
Value
Shipping
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Quality
Thumbnail of user markd3403
Washington
8 reviews
2 helpful votes
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March 20th, 2024

I used to have good results getting my cash back but it's changed. I had a purchase on 9/2/2024 and it was supposed to be $15.90 cash back and for 2 it says pending they never got it confirmed even though I got an email showing I received my rewards. I've sent probably 15 messages and they just reply someone will get back to yo and they never do. I wouldn't even fool with Rakuten anymore it's not worth the frustration.

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Thumbnail of user juliek1208
Minnesota
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 30th, 2024

This is the most annoying app ever. Crap pops up every time I visit a website. My credit card company does a much better job of finding deals, without the constant interruptions.
They make is impossible to cancel the service. I had to contact customer service several times, each time replying to stupid questions like "what country do you live in?". Why does it matter? I gave you my account number and you verified! Then they walk you through a ridiculously long process to "request" cancellation.
All that BS and now it says it could take up to 45 days.Give me a break. Just have a delete button like everyone else.

Tip for consumers:
Steer clear.

Products used:
None. Expected to get all these great online deals. A ggogle search for codes is more productive.

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Value
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Thumbnail of user paulm5319
Colorado
2 reviews
4 helpful votes
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January 28th, 2024

Unbelievable. I'm still in disbelief. I racked up quite a bit using Ebates and was diligent every time. Went through their website and most times I had to manually fill out their form with all the info, including the subtotal, merchant, order confirmation email. When it came time to pay the "big fat cheque" they literally shut down my account and refused to pay me claiming that the orders weren't placed properly

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Thumbnail of user dianen1254
New York
1 review
0 helpful votes
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January 12th, 2024

I was a loyal Rakuten member until they terminated my account out of nowhere. I asked for proof of the reasonings and they said they didn't have to provide any. Their terms and conditions say they can terminate "for any reason or no reason." So basically for no reason your account can be terminated.

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Thumbnail of user tapplew
Florida
21 reviews
16 helpful votes
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September 2nd, 2017

This is def for people who do nothing but shop online. I think I've earned about 20.00 so far. I did forget to use it but still its a good source to make cash back. I have noticed that they are working with amazon anymore though and that where I mostly shop.

Thumbnail of user miriamc20
New York
57 reviews
40 helpful votes
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May 2nd, 2023
• Updated review

I just got an email about the updated referral bonus. It basically says for me to remind them but I have no idea on how to do that cause there is no send a reminder or anything. People used my link but don't actually follow through. There's double cash back until 5/14.

Value
Alright then.
April 27th, 2023
• Previous review

I've been using them for years. In the last several years I've been shopping on Amazon and they don't offer cashback, any more, for Amazon. I've earned a total of $122 and change from them in cash back and referrals. Their next Big Fat Check is scheduled for Aug 15th

Tip for consumers:
I had to email them to get my last referral bonus sent to me after they send my cashback cause it disappeared from my earnings.

Products used:
Walmart mostly.

Thumbnail of user monia4
Texas
1 review
3 helpful votes
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May 19th, 2021

I helped my roommates make an account and make purchases through Rakuten then the next day all my 4 roommates' accounts and mine were blocked. After contacting customer service they said "Also, per our terms here: https://www.rakuten.com/help/article/terms-conditions**************
Specifically in article 22.1. Termination or Suspension states in part, "We may terminate this Agreement and your use of or access to the Program at any time, for any reason or no reason." "

Tip for consumers:
Best avoid it.

Service
Value
Thumbnail of user kayscrane21
New York
1 review
0 helpful votes
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February 8th, 2024

I've been adding up all my cash back and now that I'm at a certain amount it is no longer allowing me into my account, allowing me to reset my password, or even submit a claim for this issue to be resolved. DO NOT USE! SCAM TO GET YOUR INFO!

Service
Value
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Thumbnail of user ezraw8
Virginia
5 reviews
16 helpful votes
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July 30th, 2019

I've been an Ebates member since 2010 and back then I was getting a fair amount of cash back or gift cards for my purchases. Recently, however, after the change to Rakuten I lost all of my money. So, after 10 years of being with this company I have no balance, and no history. I had a bunch of money saved, to the point where I could go on ebates, and get a gift card to go birthday present or even Christmas shopping. Now, it's all gone. Not cool.

Thumbnail of user blairu1
California
1 review
5 helpful votes
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December 3rd, 2015

One of the few times I actually use ebates to make a big purchase I never received my cash back really disappointed! Honestly think this is pointless. You can't even reach anyone other then sending in an email.

Thumbnail of user yuliag2
Minnesota
2 reviews
11 helpful votes
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January 12th, 2018

My estimated cash back was supposed to be 10% for purchasing airline and hotel tickets which I took a screenshot of and overnight the percentage somehow dropped to 1% only. They are fraud. Will not used them again.

Thumbnail of user johns683
Pennsylvania
2 reviews
7 helpful votes
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May 12th, 2014

The advertised item ended up being a poor counterfeit.
Rakuten. Com puts all the responsibility to correct a bad sale on the vendor who just ripped you off. Rakuten.com plays an "arms length" denial position. "Not us"..."we didn't do that!", but they continue to advertise and sell the same product as genuine.
Got my money back only because I used PayPal. THEY know how to support the customer in these situations.
Would NEVER buy another product from the Rakuten.com site.

Thumbnail of user byrond6
Texas
1 review
4 helpful votes
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April 10th, 2016

Purchased a Kohler kitchen sink. It arrived in an opened box with no protective packaging. Clearly, this sink had been returned. I am having it installed and will report if there is damage that I cannot see at present.

Thumbnail of user joshg426
New Zealand
1 review
1 helpful vote
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July 16th, 2023

My company has always used Commission Factory (Junction) and Rakuten. I always found Rakuten was harder to use and lacked some of the features CF has. Also it seems like affiliates are on all channels so there really isn't a need for two.

I decided to terminate my contract with Rakuten, which had been signed nearly 10 years prior. They said I would have to pay the fees for 7 months as the contract automatically renews every year, this seems unfair and just gave me a very bad impression of them.

Service
Value
Thumbnail of user mimim5
Virginia
1 review
6 helpful votes
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September 6th, 2013

So, I've been a fan of Ebates for a long time, but recently I notice that when you buy a big ticket item (just recently bought a laptop from Dell, started out from the Ebates site as I always do) they DON'T record it. Then when you contact their customer service, they tell you it's because the vendor didn't sent them the tracking info or some b. S. like that. It's funny how it only happens on big ticket items. This has happened to me at least 3 times in the last two years. I think I will stop using them. There are plenty of other sites where you can earn points or cash back.

Thumbnail of user whg1
California
3 reviews
10 helpful votes
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February 2nd, 2016

This website sells OEM or non-authenticated brand name product at regular price. When issue arises, they disappeared conveniently. Also they do NOT accept or post negative reviews. It's like a scam artist.

Thumbnail of user suziek5
Georgia
1 review
6 helpful votes
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May 24th, 2017

I have used them faithfully & have to fight to get my cash back by filing inquiries & submitting invoices / documents providing my shopping trips. Stores (many) don't report the purchases THEN ebates credits much less than what entitled too. Example purchase was 5% cash back & ebates gave me 1.00 on a 99.99 purchase. Hmmm basic math

Ebates takes referrals away if its a family member even a cousin who lives with you. Then they will block you out of your account!

Do NOT refer people & only use if you like to continually argue then prove yourself to get paid what they promise!

BEWARE!

Thumbnail of user stann8
Indiana
1 review
5 helpful votes
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August 12th, 2014

They appear to use bait & switch techniques. No discernible C/S no. To call.
Does not respond to customer emails.
I'm now very concerned that my CC info is in the hands of a disreputable actor.

Stan N.

Thumbnail of user ryanr393
New York
1 review
4 helpful votes
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April 19th, 2020

The original ebates actually gave cash back on every purchase with no problem now this dumb $#*! version of ebates is abomination and should've been changed if i could rat rakuten 0 stars or negative 0 i would

Thumbnail of user danm772
Arizona
1 review
6 helpful votes
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July 22nd, 2020

Terrible customer service with Rakuten. Site will not direct me to any stores website and at first I thought it was my computer blocking it, however, tried on 4 different devices and does the same thing. Have contacted Rakuten customer service 3 times with no resolution. My account is also locked but after three days of trying to actually talk to a human I give up. They lost a loyal customer.

Thumbnail of user larisak2
New York
1 review
9 helpful votes
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April 20th, 2017

Booked my vacation trip thru ebates expedia says 10 % cash back
Spent over 5 thousand on my deal assuming to get 10 %back which is $500...
Got only $89:(

Advice: make sure you read a small print somewhere down there... before you order something.

Thank you!

Thumbnail of user lynnc88
Florida
1 review
8 helpful votes
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February 21st, 2017

I've had an Ebates account for quite sometime and have always activated the cash back button and confirmed that the Shopping Trip was "Active" before I made my purchases. I finally go into the account to see what's going on and initially it gives me a balance of $30 dollars or so. Then within a few minutes, that amount disappears and it tells me my account only consists of $7.38. When I go into my shopping history, it shows nothing! That is totally impossible! This doesn't sit well with me at all and I don't have a good feeling about this site. I think the stores listed on their "Double Cash Back" list need to be made aware of the issue.

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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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