ebay 25% cashback is back on

[stormdog74]

This has been going on for a little while and has been talked about a lot on slick deals and similar sites so I think it is legit. It would be a huge PR hit to both companies if this isn't.

[ModestMouser]

I've got some really important answers to questions that I asked of ebay customer service folks.

Q: If I bid for an item during 25% cash back, and win the auction after the cashback promotion is expired, do i still get the cashback?
A: No. If the offer is expired by the time you pay for the item, you don't qualify.

This is a big deal if your purchase was dependent on getting the cashback. I say stick with the buy-it-now offers so that you can complete the transaction while the offer is good.


Q: Are shipping costs included in cash-back calcuations?
A: No.


Also, an ebay rep told me that the promotion is just about over and done for.

[Kristofor]

Microsoft does this to drive volume on their web search site. They also have their Club Live where you can play games (that magically search at the same time you're playing) to win tickets that can be redeemed for products.

I know several people (online) who have "purchased" Xbox360s, mixers, headphones, games, etc. after playing those Club Live games (Some most likely using unethical cheats). I've never redeemed anything, but it is by all accounts a legitimate deal, and all in the name of chasing Google for ad revenue based on search stats.

Kristofor.

[just started]

I'm not saying you won't get the money now, but what is Bill going to come up with to get it back from you threefold? Don't forget, he's the one that came up with the idea that you pay multi-hundreds of dollars for a program, but you don't own it and can't even use it on both your desktop and laptop unless you pay double. I am sure he already has the plan worked out and is just waiting for what he considers the best time to grab you by the short hairs and yank.

[jgscott987]

I'm not saying you won't get the money now, but what is Bill going to come up with to get it back from you threefold? Don't forget, he's the one that came up with the idea that you pay multi-hundreds of dollars for a program, but you don't own it and can't even use it on both your desktop and laptop unless you pay double. I am sure he already has the plan worked out and is just waiting for what he considers the best time to grab you by the short hairs and yank.

I'm no Microsoft Fanboy, but I think you are over-reacting. First of all, Bill is no longer an employee of Microsoft. Second, Microsoft is clearly scrambling to catch up with Google (not to mention the failed launch of Vista). If anything, I see this as an opportunity to get a little something back from Microsoft. In my case I got a Wii game sytem for well below retail, when they were still impossible to find in stores.

Hatred of Microsoft should make you more eager to take advantage of this deal, not less.

[cdub101]

Microsoft is basically buying market share. Google has such a foothold on paid search Microsoft needs to be creative to regain market share. Every time someone clicks through their search engine they get paid and the more volume they do the more the clicks are worth to vendors to buy from MS.

So think about how many people here have clicked through many times looking for the perfect item to take advantage of and didn't buy anything. All of those clicks drive up the demand for MS's live.com and now vendors pay more for a live.com click. Now some people take full advantage and buy something, and some even max it out. But many many more just click and window shop.

So yes they could be taking a short term hit for a long term share gain. In addition internet marketing is increasingly replacing print, television and radio from large and small businesses looking for ways to get more bang for their advertising buck.

I am usually skeptical of many "deals" but I do see the business rationale behind this one.