I'm mostly an online shopper, because shopping out in the world can make me depressed faster than any other modern day activity, except maybe sitting in traffic. I hate wasting hours looking for things that aren't in the store, I hate waiting in lines and my super tall family can't wear much off the racks unless highwaters come back in style. So I let my fingers do the shopping, and I stay happy at home in my comfy clothes.
A friend told me about Ebates - a shopping portal that gives you rebates, and I was hooked. Creating an account was easy - just an email and address, so they can mail me checks. I was shopping at these stores anyway, so I'm happy to click through another link first to get cash back. Sometimes I forget and have my cart filled, but it's almost always magically still there when I open the new window through ebates.
I've been using ebates for most all my online shopping needs and in less than 2 years I've earned $165 in rebates. Most stores offer 3% back, but some go up to 10% which thrills me to no end, because I grew up in a tax free state, and giving Illinois 7% galls me, so the rebates take some of that sting away.
Lots of companies offer free shipping or low flat rate shipping. I ordered from 3 stores tonight because the babies keep growing and I paid $4 in shipping costs. I'm teaching my kids to never, ever pay retail, and to always shop around for the best deal. There's no need to bang my head against the wall at American Eagle or the mall, with sticker shock or lack of stock. Plus, I really like shopping at my old favorites, like Bealls in Florida or Boscov's in Maryland from afar, and sometimes the clearance deals are crazy good.
If you want to check it out, Ebates has over 1200 participating stores, and if I read it right, you get a $5 credit for signing up through that link. Anyway, with the crass commercialism season looming, I thought I'd pay the Ebate hint forward. We might as well get something out of the deal.
Happy shopping :)
Ache (Five Minute Friday)
1 hour ago
We are ying and yang, my friend :) I am 5'2!! I dig online shopping too. I have to be in a rare mood to go shopping in real stores, and city living these days has me very rarely in that sort of mood. =)
ReplyDeleteWe're both ying, I'm 5'2 too, so I look pretty little next to the rest of my people!
ReplyDeleteI would have never guessed you were 5'2". I will check out the ebates. I cannot stand paying shipping costs. My middle son thought he found a good deal on some skateboard wheels and the shipping was $7.95 for something you can fit in one hand. Since he was using his own money he decided it wasn't worth it. We get their shoes from Skate Warehouse and deals on their pants and t-shirts from Whiskey Militia which has different deals during the day pop up on my screen. You can hang onto an item and combine shipping. Clothes or shoes in the mail don't work out for me. Thank goodness for TJ Maxx :-)
ReplyDeleteMy two older guys would love it if they keep growing and growing. They are hopeful since I have a tall brother and dad and my Hubs is not tall....the boys are 5'7" (and growing). Oldest loves story of how Kevin Costner graduated high school at 5'7" and got out of college at 6'2".
Michelle, my 14 year old daughter is 5'10 1/2 and my 17 year old son just over 6'1, and they both want to be taller! 5'2" marries 6'6", guess who has the dominant genes? My husband was towering over all his teachers by 8th grade, so I'm not sure they'll get their wish for a few more inches.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't heard of Whiskey Militia and their website is a hoot, especially their manifesto! "Like a pterodactyl raised among pigeons, Whiskey Militia grew up in the midst of minivans and questionable casseroles."
:)
Thanks for the heads up...
ReplyDeleteI try to make as much as I can but sometimes I have to shop. On line is the best way to get what I want...
Sherry