Microsoft Live Search 20% Cashback offer on eBay

[ReallyBigCameras]

Hi folks,

Microsoft is currently running a 20% cashback promotion for buyers who use their Live search engine when making a purchase.

I actually went through the process as a buyer a couple days ago just to see how it works from a buyer's point of view - and to save some money on a rather large film purchase - 3 boxes of 14x17 T-Max 400. Well, it appears to work as I now have a pending rebate of $234.00 in my Live Search Cashback account from that purchase. Woohoo!

I won't attempt to give all the details here, but will point you to a link for the details of the program as provided by Microsoft. The ULR is:

http://search.live.com/cashback

You will need a Microsoft Live Search Cashback Account. You can sign up here.

Dead Link Removed

You also need to make the payment through PayPal. If you don't already have a PayPal account, their URL is:

Dead Link Removed

Three important points:

1) This is a REBATE program and you won't have access to your Cashbak funds until 60 days after completing your purchase.

2) This Cashback program is being offered by Microsoft, not Feisol or Really Big Cameras. I will help you take advantage of this offer by setting up fixed price listings using the "Buy It Now" feature on eBay, but if you fail to get your rebate for any reason, that's between you and Microsoft.

3) I don't usually sell through eBay. So I will add a flat fee (typically $10.00) to my selling prices on these items to help cover the eBay listing and final value fees (which actually run about $12 - $24 per tripod). Still, with the 20% cash back offer from Microsoft, this is the lowest total price you will find on these Feisol tripods.

In order to help those who would like to take advantage of this 20% cashback program from Microsoft Live Search, I have listed 5 each of the Feisol CT-3342 and CT-3442 tripods on eBay as fixed price listings with the "Buy It Now" feature enabled (which is a requirement of the Live Search cashback offer).

I will be listing additional models over the next few days. If anyone has a specific model they would like me to list, or a specific combination of items (i.e. CT-3442 with CB-50D ballhead and set of 3 long spikes, etc.) please send me an email at sales@reallybigcameras.com and I will create a custom listing just for you.

To find my listings, once on eBay, you can do a search on "feisol" and look for auctions from seller ID reallybigcameras.

I also want to point out, this Microsoft Live Search Cashback program can be applied ANYTHING you buy through eBay (not just these Feisol tripods I am offering) - as long as you follow the proper procedures and meet all the requirements (see the link above for the complete details).

You must first conduct a Live search and click on a resulting link that leads you to eBay. BTW, you don't have to buy the exact item you searched for originally. For example, when I bought my 14x17 T-Max 400 film, my initial search was for "cheap ipod". I didn't really want a cheap ipod (but if the price had been right, I might have bought one), but that search resulted in a link I could click on that got me to eBay and qualified me for the Live Search cashback program. Once I was on eBay, I then had 60 minutes to purchase something of my choice and be eligible for the program's 20% rebate. Once you are on the eBay site and the cashback logo appears at the top of every page, anything you buy with a "Buy It Now" purchase can qualify for the 20% cashback offer - as long as you meet all the other requirements of the program - such as you must pay immediately using PayPal. There is also a $250.00 limit per transaction - and I think you are limited to three total transactions (check the rules o be sure). Certain items aren't eligible - such as purchases through eBay Motors (rats, I need a new car and would love to have Microsoft cover 20% of the cost).

The small, green cashback banner should appear on every page as you select your item, buy it, check out and pay for it. If it doesn't you may have done something wrong and should go back and start over rather than complete a purchase that will not be eligible for the rebate. Again, if you end up making a purchase that doesn't qualify for the 20% cashback rebate, any dispute is between you and Microsoft. I'm not responsible for their cashback program. I have listed items that qualify for this program, but I don't make the rules or provide the rebate. This is Microsoft's program. To obtain the rebate from them, you must follow their instructions

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras
http://reallybigcameras.com

 

[fotch]

Using the link, what it shows me is the cash back is different depending on the vendor. Could be 1% or 3%, almost nothing as high as 20%. Or am I missing something? :confused:

 

[ReallyBigCameras]

Using the link, what it shows me is the cash back is different depending on the vendor. Could be 1% or 3%, almost nothing as high as 20%. Or am I missing something? :confused:

I'm not sure what's listed on the link, but try this:

Go to:

http://www.live.com/

and enter cheap ipod in the search field.

The very first link on the search page results should look something like this:

Cheap ipod - www.ebay.com Live Search cashback
Buy Cheap ipod. You may get 20% off with PayPal if eligible.

I bought some more 14x17 film last night and again received the 20% rebate by clicking on the link from my search results to get to the eBay site.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras
http://reallybigcameras.com

 

[rwyoung]

Note the weasel words "may" and "if eligible" in

You may get 20% off with PayPal if eligible.

This also means you may get NOTHING, 1%, 3% or possibly a sharp stick in the eye.

Did you actually receive the 20% from your film purchase or just simply the promise to have the 20% sent to you at some unspecified future date? As I read the terms and agreements it seems, as it does with most rebate programs, that they make no solid promise to pay. Just to do their "best" to get you your money. And with Microsoft, doing their best isn't all its cracked up to be.

That said, I hope this does work and I'm going to start looking for the little magic icon in auctions!

 

[ReallyBigCameras]

Note the weasel words "may" and "if eligible" in

You may get 20% off with PayPal if eligible.

This also means you may get NOTHING, 1%, 3% or possibly a sharp stick in the eye.

As you go through the process it tells you how much your cashback amount will be - in both dollars and percent (20%). It informs you of these amounts when you click on the "Buy It Now" link, when you confirm your purchase and when you pay with PayPal (a requirement). To be eligible, you must follow the rules. If you don't follow the rules, you won't see the cahsback banner on the eBay pages and they won't inform you every step of the way how much you will be getting in your cachback rebate.

Did you actually receive the 20% from your film purchase or just simply the promise to have the 20% sent to you at some unspecified future date?

No, I have not received the cashback yet as I only made my purchase two days ago. As I stated in my original post, it takes 60 days from the date of the purchase before the actual rebate funds are available. What I did receive was a confirmation email and a $234.00 (20% of my $1170 purchase price) pending credit in my Microsoft Cashback account. As of right now, it tells me I have 58 days until my funds will be available on September 10, 2008. BTW, the funds don't appear immediately in your Microsoft Cashback account. It takes a day or two for them to process your purchase before the amount shows up in your Cashback account.

As I read the terms and agreements it seems, as it does with most rebate programs, that they make no solid promise to pay. Just to do their "best" to get you your money. And with Microsoft, doing their best isn't all its cracked up to be.

I am not affiated with Microsoft in any way. This is their cashback program, not mine. I had not even heard of the Live Search Cashback program until one of my customers asked me to list a fixed price "auction" for her on eBay so she could take advantage of this program. I have since had additional customers request the same. Since others are taking advantage of this program to purchase Feisol tripods from Really Big Cameras, I thought I'd offer that option to APUG members. If you don't trust Microsoft to honor the cashback rebates, I'd be happy to sell you a Feisol tripod at my regular rates (which are $10 less than my eBay listings).

That said, I hope this does work and I'm going to start looking for the little magic icon in auctions!

The only way to get the green Cashback banner to appear is to arrive at the Eaby site by clicking on a link resulting from a Microsoft Live search. Once you do that, the little green Cashback banner will appear - for the next 60 minutes. Only "Buy It Now" purchases are eligible, and you must pay with a PayPal account. There is an upper limit of $250 cashback per transaction. Some items aren't eligible (purchases of automobiles through eBay motors, for example). A listing of those exclusions are available on the PayPal website at:

http://pages.ebay.com/cashbackoffer/terms.html

Again this is Microsoft's program, not mine. I'm not trying to force anyone to use this program, I'm just creating eBay listings that qualify for those who would like to take advantage of this offer from Microsoft. Frankly it's more work for me, and I make less per sale due to eBay fees. I hadn't intended to sell on eBay for these very reasons, but after having multiple requests from customers for fixed price "Buy It Now" listings on eBay, I decided to make it an option.

I'm also happy that I will be getting a 20% rebate on some very expensive film purchases.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras
http://reallybigcameras.com

 

[rwyoung]

As you go through the process it tells you how much your cashback amount will be - in both dollars and percent (20%). It informs you of these amounts when you click on the "Buy It Now" link, when you confirm your purchase and when you pay with PayPal (a requirement). To be eligible, you must follow the rules. If you don't follow the rules, you won't see the cahsback banner on the eBay pages and they won't inform you every step of the way how much you will be getting in your cachback rebate.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras
http://reallybigcameras.com

(Yes, I understand completely this is Microsoft's deal, not yours. It just happens to be your product for which this can be applied. That was quite clear to me in the originating post.)

As to the quoted except above; exactly my point. Create a sentence that if read in a casual way sounds great. Wow, 20%! Then once you drill down and jump through all the hoops you find out what the real discount is.

In the case of your film purchase and your tripods (nice stuff by the way) it turns out to be 20%. But I did a little experiment and searched for a few other film/chemistry related purchases and they were often in the 1% to 3% range. Not even enough to cover shipping and handling charges.

Yes, money is money but I'd rather not be Microsoft's banker and loan them money for 60 days and they only pay me 1% or 3% or some other pittance. They get to use the 60 day float to try and make up the cost of the rebate by selling you other stuff and collecting fees for the slew of directed advertising. I'm going to be monitoring the spam logs on the email account I used for the sign-up. To satisfy my curiosity of course.

I do fill out the little rebate forms and I keep photo copies and mark a calendar X days into the future. And now that lots of mail-in rebates also have a web site for "tracking" the status I ping those too.

For the most part, rebates work and I will in all honesty use live search but only in an attempt to save a little money. But not as a primary search method.

If you get your rebate before the 60 days, will you use it to buy us all a box of donuts?

 

[ReallyBigCameras]

As to the quoted except above; exactly my point. Create a sentence that if read in a casual way sounds great. Wow, 20%! Then once you drill down and jump through all the hoops you find out what the real discount is.

In the case of your film purchase and your tripods (nice stuff by the way) it turns out to be 20%. But I did a little experiment and searched for a few other film/chemistry related purchases and they were often in the 1% to 3% range. Not even enough to cover shipping and handling charges.

I think the amount of the rebate may be a function of the merchant involved. For eBay it is currently 20%. Just try this and see what amount you get:

Go to: http://www.live.com/ (don't bother to log in)

and enter cheap ipod in the search field.

Click on the eBay link at the top of the listings. Now go to your favorite eBay category and open any listing with a "Buy It Now" option. Click on the blue "Buy It Now" button, login if necessary and see the amount of the discount. I'll be real suprised if it isn't 20% (or $250.00 for item priced over $1250).

Whatever you do, DON'T CLICK ON THE "COMMITT TO BUY" BUTTON - unless you plan to purchase this item. Either use your browser's back button to back out of the purchase, or simply close your browser.

They make it real clear prior to clicking on the "Committ to Buy" button exactly how much your cashback rebate will be. So far, it's been 20% for every listing I've tried. I just tried it on some $10.00 chemistry and sure enough the cashback amount would have been $2.00 (20%) if I had proceeded with my purchase.

I'm not trying to coerce anyone into using this cashback program from Microsoft. I'm just posting auctions that meet the eligibility requirements for anyone who would like to take advantage of this rebate program.

If you get your rebate before the 60 days, will you use it to buy us all a box of donuts?

Sure, I have a Crispy Creme store less than 2 miles from my house (and no, I don't weight 400 lbs. - yet). Of course, I won't get the rebate until AFTER 60 days from the date of my purchase, but if anyone is in the Beaverton, OR area on September 10, 2008, donuts are on me.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras
http://reallybigcameras.com

 

[rwyoung]

I think the amount of the rebate may be a function of the merchant involved. For eBay it is currently 20%. Just try this and see what amount you get:

Sure, I have a Crispy Creme store less than 2 miles from my house (and no, I don't weight 400 lbs. - yet). Of course, I won't get the rebate until AFTER 60 days from the date of my purchase, but if anyone is in the Beaverton, OR area on September 10, 2008, donuts are on me.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras
http://reallybigcameras.com

Yes, I believe the rebate amount is influenced by the selling entity. Following a selection of eBay vs non-eBay I found some high, and some very low rebates.

And you do bring up an interesting point about WHEN you learn of the rebate amount. It is awfully close to the point of no return (purchase wise) when you finally learn the amount. A careful mouse-clicker is in no danger but those less savy in on-line purchasing I'm afraid may be in for a nasty shock.

Now, go forth and sell the hell out of your stuff!

Mmmmm, Crispy Creme....

 

[ReallyBigCameras]

The Microsoft Live Cashback Rebate is Currently 25%

I just did another "cheap ipod" search on www.live.com to check on the status of the Microsoft Live Search Cashback offer. As I result, I learned the rebate is currently running 25% on elligible eBay purchases (figures the rebate would go up AFTER I purchased a freezer full of 14x17 Kodak and Ilford film). The maximum rebate remains $250 per purchase.

I have no idea how long this rebate will continue at this rate, but I just thought I'd pass this information along to anyone considering an Ebay purchase. I have some Feisol CT-3342 and CT-3442 tripods listed on eBay that qualify for this rebate from Microsoft, and would be happy to list any other Feisol items for anyone who would like to take advantage of this Microsoft Cashback program. Just send me an email at: sales@reallybigcameras.com and let me know what you'd like to buy.

Again, this rebate is from Microsoft, not Feisol or Really Big Cameras - which means most eBay "Buy It Now" purchases qualify - as long as you follow Microsoft's rules and procedures (see link above).

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras
http://reallybigcameras.com

 

[rwyoung]

I did a much smaller test and bought a couple of books on eBay with Buy it Now and have about $5 pending in my account. 52 days and counting...

 

[Dennis S]

NOT IN CANADA

 

[ReallyBigCameras]

NOT IN CANADA

That is unfortunately correct. The program is only open to US residents as stated in the eBay "terms and conditions" at this link:

http://pages.ebay.com/cashbackoffer/terms.html

Here's the relevant passage:

"The Program is open only to confirmed registered members of the eBay Site who (a) are legal residents of the United States, (b) are eighteen (18) years of age or older and (c) satisfy the requirements set forth herein and in the Program Terms;"

I don't believe there is any similar Microsoft Live Search Cashback program for eBay Canada, but you might want to check.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras

 

[ReallyBigCameras]

FYI, the Microsoft Live Search Cashback rebate program through eBay seems to have expired (or at least is on hold). I've been running some searches at www.live.com over the last three days and haven't been able to get any of them to yield any cashback rebate offers through eBay.

I'm REALLY glad I was able to use his program to help stock my freezer with 14x17 T-Max 400 and FP4+.

If I happen to notice that they re-start the cashback program through eBay, I'll let you know. If anyone else notices it starting up again, please post a note here. I wouldn't mind getting three more boxes of 14x17 T-Max 400 at 20% off.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras

 

[rwyoung]

Kerry -

I've played more with it too but not specifically looking for eBay discounts. In that vein, I'm still seeing 6% and 7% on stuff. Not bad, often enough to cover shipping. On the other hand it pops up some on-line stores I've never heard of. YMMV of course.

Thanks for pointing out this Microsoft "feature".

 

[ReallyBigCameras]

Well, it's back - at least for now. I just tried another "cheap ipod" search on (there was a url link here which no longer exists) and the first result was a link to eBay with a "You may get 25% with PayPal if eligible" message in the link. When I clicked on it, it took me to eBay and sure enough the green Microsoft cashback 25% banner was back.

I didn't completely read the rules to see what, if anything changed. So, please read the terms and conditions to make sure your purchase is eligible for the Microsoft Cashback rebate.

I did notice they upped the number of eligible sessions from three to six, which is nice for me as I'd used up my three. Time to go buy some more film for the freezer. I'll go ahead and re-list the two Feisol Tournament Class models (CT-3342 and CT-3442). If anyone wants a particular Feisol model or combination of items/accessories, let me know by sending an email to sales@reallybigcameras.com and I'll create a custom eBay listing for you.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras

 

[ReallyBigCameras]

Just a heads up to anyone who is interested. The Microsoft Live Search cashback rebate is currently running 30% for eBay purchases paid through PayPal.

I just listed some Feisol CT-3342 and CT-3442 tripods for anyone who would like to take advantage of this offer. I will be listing additional items over the next 24 hours. If there is anything specifically you'd like to purchase using this program, please contact me by email at:

sales@reallybigcameras

to arrange a custom personal eBay listing just for you.

If you wish to take advantage of the current 30% Microsoft Live Search cashback offer, please act fast. It was running 8% for about a month and the amount seems to change frequently with no warning.

I have also taken advantage of this offer as a buyer and am happy to report that I have received the rebates for the 14x17 film I purchased back in July. It took 60 days for the funds to be released by Microsoft, 14 days for the transfer from my Live Cashback account to my PayPal account and then another 3 days to transfer from my PayPal account to my bank account, but I did get 100% of the amount due to me.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras

 

[matt miller]

This cashback deal really does work. I didn't buy a Feisol with it, though I do own one, but I did buy other gear. I got $250 cash deposited into my paypal account yesterday, from a purchase I made in July. I made 2 more purchases yesterday and will get $200 cash back for each. Quite the deal for sure. Act now!

 

[ReallyBigCameras]

This cashback deal really does work. I didn't buy a Feisol with it, though I do own one, but I did buy other gear. I got $250 cash deposited into my paypal account yesterday, from a purchase I made in July. I made 2 more purchases yesterday and will get $200 cash back for each. Quite the deal for sure. Act now!

Yes, it's a great deal. I received nearly $500 cashback for the 14x17 film I bought back in July when the rebate was running 20%. I'm thinking of picking up a couple more boxes for the freezer at the current 30% rebate.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras

 

[ReallyBigCameras]

The Microsoft Live Search cashback rebate is now back at 20%. I hope several people here were able to advantage of the 30% rebate over the weekend.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras

 

[ReallyBigCameras]

Currently at 25% with a $200 per transaction limit.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras

 

[guissimo]

I just followed Kerry's instructions and it "worked". I got 30% off a video game. Perhaps is time to get me a new tripod...

Thanks Kerry!

 

[ReallyBigCameras]

The Microsoft Live Search cashback rebate was at 30% over the weekend - and continues to be at 30% as I type this. But, it could change at any time.

There is also a $200 rebate per transaction limit. So, if you buy anything priced at over $666.67, your rebate will be capped at $200.

For those interested in purchasing any Feisol products, I have all models of the Feisol tripods currently listed on eBay (eBay ID reallybigcameras) . Go to www.live.com and enter feisol in the search box. The first link on the search will be an eBay that will tell you the current rebate amount. Click on this link to get to eBay and a listing of all Feisol items currently available. My auctions are the ones with about 18 - 20 days remaining (currently) and the lower domestic shipping charges.

If there is some combination of items you'd like to purchase to take advantage of this rebate program from Microsoft, I'd be happy to post a custom listing for you (with a fixed $10 surcharge to help cover the eBay fees that typically cost me between $15 and $25 per listing). Just drop me an email and let me know what you'd like to purchase.

Kerry Thalmann
Really Big Cameras