As Amazon has skyrocketed over the years in terms of popularity and capability, so has the number of services that are able to use the platform to get their client’s products into the hands of their target audience.  The organizations in question?  Rebate portals such as ExtremeRebate and Samurai.Social. With the potential profit of selling on Amazon being so high sellers are always looking for opportunities to drive sales/reviews… this is why services like these exist. 

Rebate portals are platforms that allow buyers to receive products either for free or at an exceptionally discounted rate.  Hundreds of products are typically added daily.  It’s an attractive gig for buyers for obvious reasons.  They get to purchase products that they want or need for next to nothing.  Sellers are motivated by the opportunity to earn a positive review from buyers who are the most likely to do so, a rating that is earned and then indicated within the portal.  There has been question regarding the legitimacy of such partnerships, but the portals, for the most part, strive to adhere to Amazon’s terms of service.

HOW DOES EXTREME REBATE WORK?

On ExtremeRebate, you can receive up to 100% cash back when purchasing products on Amazon.  While sellers cannot require that you write a positive review for them, it is anticipated, and procedures are even put in place in order to strongly encourage such.

To qualify as a member, you just sign up on their website and note your Amazon profile within registration.  Sellers create listings with offers (i.e. “100% cash back”).  Once you are a member, you can peruse these listings and express interest where it applies.

Rebates are provided on ExtremeRebate in one of two ways: vouchers or rebates.  

If opting to receive by rebate, you request products that you want or need and await seller approval.  You then purchase the products through Amazon and submit the order ID on ExtremeRebate within two days of order.  Once confirmed, ExtremeRebate will utilize your PayPal account to provide cash back.

If using the voucher method, go ahead and request the preferred product, look out for an Amazon promo code via email within 48 hours of this request, and then purchase the product(s) through Amazon, making sure you enter the promo code at time of order in order to reflect your discount.

The method utilized is up to the buyer’s discretion.  Some prefer the voucher method since this gives the discount up front and at the time of order without having to wait for the rebate to be processed or having to “front” payment. 

It’s important to reflect a good rating to sellers as this will make them more likely to want to work with you.  You will rank as a “best buyer” to interested sellers if you tend to leave positive reviews for the products you typically purchase.  So, to increase your chances of obtaining a product for that maximum 100% cash back, it’s a good idea to begin positively reviewing the items within your Amazon order history.

In an effort to regulate the number of products provided, and to ensure that buyers are providing the anticipated reviews, ExtremeRebate has tiers and limits in place.  Once expected reviews are submitted, the tiers and limits adjust accordingly.

IS EXTREMEREBATE LEGIT?

Amazon’s terms of service aim to prohibit any sort of official agreement where buyers write falsified reviews to encourage others to purchase products that may not live up to buyer expectations.  This is understandable as Amazon aims to provide reviews that are helpful and truthful to ensure their customers feel as though they can trust the platform. 

In this case, these rebate portals cannot outright insist or require buyers to leave positive reviews.  The limits in place, however, strongly encourage this sort of practice.  If buyers do not leave positive reviews, then their opportunity to pursue other fully rebated products is removed.  It is a questionable tactic that ExtremeRebate employs the use of limits to garnish a review from buyers.  While not a scam, the use of a limit to extort a positive review is arguably frowned upon.

That being said, there is not much illegitimacy to the participants or sellers themselves.  The seller utilizes rebate portals at the expense of their actual products, and they risk the chance that the recipient could leave a less than satisfied review.  The buyer legitimately receives the requested products and they do have the opportunity to leave an honest, even negative review using their actual Amazon profile.  Of course, this will impact the buyer’s rating within the portal.

Here is a similar review on FullyRebate to see if it is legit.

WHAT ABOUT THE END CONSUMER?

Consumers should be aware that Amazon actively seeks out and bans users who perform tactics that go against their terms of service and they also reserve the right to delete reviews in suspicious circumstances.  This sort of protection is put in place for the end consumer who has no knowledge of rebate platforms and buys with heavy investment into the provided reviews.

As a buyer on Amazon outside of the rebate portal process, it is always important to consider the existence of platforms such as these at time of order and when factoring the weight of reviews into your decision. 

It’s vital for buyers to research products above and beyond the Amazon site to ensure the product will live up to their expectations.  Should it not, however, Amazon’s return policy and customer service is unparalleled. 

TIPS & TRICKS

As can be expected in most third-party transactions, be forewarned that the seller does not cover any applicable Amazon shipping charges, nor do they pay for PayPal fees.  PayPal is the preferred means of providing cash back within ExtremeRebate.

To maximize the benefits for both parties, it is a good idea to pursue products that suit your tastes and purchase those that are likely to satisfy your needs.  This is a moral means of participating in the program as a buyer.  As a seller, ensure that the effort you put into the quality of your product supersedes the effort you put into compensating positive reviewers for said product.

Even in our digital age, nothing beats organic promotion or “word of mouth”, and nothing certainly beats search engines’ ever-changing algorithms when bloggers and news outlets speak their truth about your products and its misleading reviews.

ALTERNATIVES

As could be expected for competition in the marketplace, several rebate portals exist, but each carry their own unique benefits.  Sites like topcashback, Rebatekey, Rebaid, Vipon or Snagshout, Jumpsend and Amazon Rebate Club only offer a maximum of 8% cashback, but their requirements and limits may be less strict than ExtremeRebate.

Samurai.Social is a newer platform that encourages the concept that “everyone is an influencer”.  It is rebate-based and their website reiterates that they strive to stay compliant with Amazon’s TOS by not requiring that buyers leave an Amazon review at all, unlike the limits and expectations put in place by its competitor, ExtremeRebate. 

Sellers and buyers alike are enticed by the multitude of promotional offerings available on Samurai.Social beyond Amazon.  Sellers are able to post campaigns requesting promotion across social media channels, for example.  influencers can register accordingly.  The platform truly pairs sellers with ideal promotional influencers and gives buyers the opportunity to enjoy the products they need while aiding in its growth within its targeted audience.  Buyers agree to promote products within their own legitimate social media profiles and they motivate followers by turning them into consumers. 

What’s even more attractive about Samurai.Social is the opportunity for lower-scale partnerships that benefit the buyer, the seller, and the potential follower-turned-consumer.  One live campaign alludes to the promotion of a messy hair bun accessory.  If already a fan of said accessory, and if already sporting said accessory on social media, how much sense it makes to speak to the benefits of that accessory openly to your following and be compensated in the form of a free product by the seller.  If you are already likely to purchase and promote items that you like, it’s simply sensical for sellers to be guided towards those who are most likely to do so.  Platforms such as Samurai.Social simply provide sellers with a narrowed likelihood that they are sharing their products with positive, influential consumers. 

Samurai.Social’s legitimacy is evident to buyers and sellers alike.  Their effort to create genuine, honest partnerships is admirable.  It speaks to the quality of the products themselves when their leaders are outwardly seeking promotional tactics more in line with organic growth than agreeing to compensate strangers for “fake reviews”.  It is undoubtedly a bit more impactful when a social media influencer shares the truth of a product with their own family and friends than it is to have an Amazon username leave five stars with exaggerated language to help sell said product.   

Taken from one actual live campaign currently on the site, a seller describes his project as, “I am looking for a real buyer and blogger who can help me promote my product and provide honest feedback.”

In this digital marketing age, no one could ask for anything more.

RebateKey is a digital platform that provides cash back, or a rebate, to consumers in exchange for purchases.  Often, the process encourages buyer feedback that sellers hope will encourage more consumers to buy their product.  Gone are the days of clipping coupons and watching for sales in order to save dollars on our favorite purchases.  Companies once relied on word-of-mouth and promotional tactics in hopes of acquiring new customers.  With the emergence of new technologies over the years, companies have been challenged with the task of being able to provide their loyal consumers with these same money-saving or reward benefits in digital form, as well as tackle what word-of-mouth has become digitally, which is reviews.  As a result, consumers are flocking to the use of rebate portals.  

Headquartered in San Diego back in 2018, RebateKey’s eCommerce sellers provide rebates to buyers on products as part of a campaign.  It began with a team of 30 different merchants who sought the opportunity to get in touch with the buyers most likely to enjoy and then promote their products.  Ian Sells, RebateKey’s CEO with a fitting name, once ran his own Amazon business and discovered that he could showcase new products, drive sales, and increase exposure with such a means.

All they needed was a platform.

What is a rebate portal?

Rebate portals provide buyers with the opportunity to receive up to 100% cash back on their favorite items.  Discounts often vary by portal.  New products are constantly being added.  Users can create profiles that allow them to search for their favorite products.  If a seller has a campaign featuring said product, buyers can sign up for the opportunity, place their purchase, and await their rebate.

Why does it work?

Everyone wants something for free, or as close to free as possible.  Rebate portals are attractive to buyers because they are able to purchase their favorite products either for free or at any exceptionally discounted cost.  It is generally encouraged, though not required, that buyers provide feedback for the product.  It is that (hopefully positive) feedback that sellers hope will help motivate others to buy their product(s).  The situation is a win-win for all.

It is suspected that the reason why RebateKey has grown so exponentially in the 4 years it has been in business is because small to medium-sized businesses were in need of a cost-effective way to get their products into the hands of consumers who will openly and willingly speak to the product’s benefits.  Sells, the CEO, understood how difficult it was to get products in front of customers.

While customers are required to pay up front for their product, that requirement is actually a huge benefit.  It indicates that the buy is genuinely interested in acquiring the product for use and not that they are looking for a quick deal.  Also, perhaps because of the additional steps it takes to build a rebate portal profile, submit proof of order, etc., it is presumed that these particular buyers are willing to go the extra mile and put in extra time and effort surrounding a purchase that others may not, such as leaving a positive review.

How does RebateKey work?

For an Amazon campaign, sellers can initiate campaigns within RebateKey  and then submit them for approval.  

• Once approved, products appear available for purchase at the rebate price 
• Buyers click on link for product purchase directly on Amazon.com
• Buyer has one hour to provide RebateKey  with Amazon order number or “rebate key”
• After 35 days, RebateKey  sends a check for the rebate amount to the buyer
• Seller monitors approval or notification of cancellation within that 35-day timeframe

RebateKey even has solidified a partnership with Chrome with the introduction of an extension.  The extension alerts the users who have it installed when products that they are reviewing on Amazon marketplace are available as a campaign on RebateKey.  One of the best features of an extension is that consumers do not need to log into the rebate portal separately, or remember to research within the portal, or search for campaigns that apply to their needs.  The Chrome extension simply informs the consumer whether or not the product under their review qualifies under a campaign in the rebate portal.

Does RebateKey work with anyone besides Amazon?

Yes!  RebateKey has partnered with several conglomerates in order to stay competitive.  These include:

• Walmart
• Etsy
• Shopify
• eBay
• Jet

Is it legit?

Yes!  Amazon is super strict regarding sellers that dish out free or discounted products in exchange for a positive review.  On RebateKey, buyers only need to provide proof of purchase by submission of that Amazon order ID, or rebate key.  They do not need to leave a review at all, let alone a positive review, nor do they need to provide proof of such at time of rebate request.  The platform does not even encourage reviews, unlike some of its competitors.

According to reviews that have been provided online, users have successfully received the intended product as well as the rebate check, so the site can be trusted. There have been some instances of sellers claiming that orders were cancelled when in fact they had not been, and no amount of proof from the buyer was sufficient enough for the rebate portal who ultimately sided with the seller.

These issues, however, are few and far between.  For the most part, both buyers and sellers alike are seeking a genuine opportunity to help each other out.  The buyer gets the product they want, they also acquire cash back, the seller gets a promotional opportunity, as well as a possible future returning customer, and everybody wins.

What’s in it for the seller?

Plenty.  Some might wonder why sellers are willing to give away free or highly discounted products with no real pay-off for them.  To sellers, it is no different than setting up a table at a festival and giving away promotional items in hopes that the consumer:

• Will enjoy the product and trust their brand
• Will promote and discuss the product openly, maybe particularly because it was free
• Will trust this particular company for future related product needs

In short, giving away promotional items could result in future customers across both the recipient of the product themselves as well as their friends, family, and everyone who reads their potential online reviews.  Rebate portals are responsible for millions of dollars paid out over the last few years.  Over one million rebates have already been claimed.  A great deal of consumers will admit that they are likely to search for promotions or coupons prior to making a purchase and even more shoppers are more likely to buy a product at all if a rebate is being offered.  The bottom line is that people love saving money, and 95 million of those people are Amazon users.  Amazon sellers should use rebate portals to their advantage, getting their products into the hands of positive, influential consumers who may help to increase revenue and exposure.

Should I promote my products on RebateKey?

Of course!  Marketing is crucial to getting your product name out there, and rebate portals such as RebateKey guide you by putting you in touch with your target audience.  Marketing efforts need to evolve as much as products and technology have over the years, so rebate portals are just a platform for doing so.

As is the case with most options in this world, there are pros and cons to the system.  Not every rebate portal system is flawless, nor is the rebate process. 

Pros

• RebateKey provides payment instead of seller
• Does not violate Amazon TOS
• Messaging feature between sellers and buyers
• Window allots for cancellations/purchases are valid
• Promotes traffic to your Amazon store

Cons

• Customer service is available via online chat only
• Rebate checks can be capped per product
• Fee of $2.95 per product sold

Should I use it as a buyer?

Absolutely.  Particularly when used for products you are already likely to enjoy, RebateKey is a convenient means of getting cash back.  It is natural to assume that some things are too good to be true, but it is relieving to know that rebate portals are just using a modern means of providing coupons and deals to its consumers.  People used to physically walk into stores and share paper-clipped coupons with the cashier.  Now that people are buying so much online, there’s no reason why sellers can’t extend the same sort of discounts and coupons they had in the past.  Now this just happens to be in digital format.

Pros

• RebateKey provides payment instead of seller
• Your favorite products are up to 100% cash back
• No need to leave a review
• No additional fees beyond your Amazon purchase

Cons

• Customer service is available via online chat only
• Rebate checks can be capped per product
• Waiting period before receipt of rebate
• Questionable sellers claiming orders were cancelled when they were not

Are there other rebate portals?

There are several other rebate portal options beyond RebateKey.  Some of RebateKey’s competitors include topcashback, Rebaid, ExtremeRebate, FullyRebate and more.  As noted previously, the amount of cash back opportunities varies by portal.  Most generally aim to stay within Amazon’s TOS since they risk being banned if they were to go against these.

Samurai.Social is a newer rebate portal that combines rebate opportunity with today’s influencer fad.  It encourages users to participate as they already naturally influence the friends and family around them.  It does not require buyers to leave an Amazon review, so it fits ideally within Amazon’s TOS.

What’s particularly attractive about Samurai.Social is the opportunity to promote for sellers above and beyond via a potential positive review.  While companies are using platforms like Upwork and Fiverr to hire influencers specifically to promote their products, Samurai.Social is turning the promotional opportunity into a social mission.  

What other campaigns does Samurai.Social offer?

As is suggested in the name, Samurai.Social offers more than the opportunity to earn a rebate check.  It encourages sellers to connect with buyers on a level more personal than cash back and positive reviews.  It encourages validity and therefore indirectly promotes quality within its sellers’ products.  On a platform where every end user is considered an influencer.  Buyers can elect to use their own social media profiles to promote products in exchange for receiving the product at a fully or largely discounted rate.  Options range from Pinterest to Instagram to Facebook.  There are also options to create blog posts.  The intent is to morph followers from any of these platforms into consumers.

Final thoughts

While rebate portals are currently running rampant, some portals are more reliable and moral than others.  For example, competitors such as ExtremeRebate encourage the creation of positive reviews in order to continue to use the platform to access products.  Its locking mechanism prevents buyers from acquiring too many products without first leaving a review.  While the review does not need to be positive, ExtremeRebate’s algorithm will rate you as a negative buyer.  Therefore, sellers will be less likely to work with you in the future.  So, while competitors are still adhering to Amazon’s TOS, some of them have more questionable means than others when it comes to providing a moral, 100% reliable and truthful service.

If you are looking to generate sales then consider Samurai.Social, SnagShout, Jumpsend or Vipon

Samurai.Social’s genuineness is evident to both buyers and sellers.  It is obvious how impactful it is for an “everyday person” to openly share a product on their actual social media page than it is for someone to be able to hide behind a user name and a few stars on a site as general as Amazon marketplace.  It is clear that Samurai.Social seeks to adhere to Amazon’s terms of service and that its makers are looking to support genuine partnerships among buyers and sellers.  Through the promotion of honest, unsolicited feedback, Samurai.Social’s unique take on the rebate portal era is unparalleled and they will surely grow to make a name for themselves within the rebate portal realm.