Consumers increasingly turn to cash back apps such as Ibotta, Rakuten, Dosh, and Fetch Rewards to offset escalating costs. However, significant savings are contingent on individual shopping behaviours and app usage. The efficacy of such apps is determined by the frequency of shopping, finding suitable deals and discounts and understanding the platform’s rules and restrictions.
Gary Bookbinder’s story epitomises strategic shopping with these apps. Using Rakuten, Bookbinder has secured cash back amounts between 1-10%. As a result, he has saved significant sums, often reaching up to $400 in quarterly rebates. Moreover, additional advantages including member-exclusive deals and discounts have further augmented his savings.
Cash back services offer more than straightforward refunds. Many provide price comparison tools for obtaining discounts on bigger purchases. After setting up an account, users make purchases through links on the service’s website. Once the sale confirms, the service earns a commission from the retailer, a portion of which is refunded to the user. Some even offer additional savings with discount codes or vouchers.
However, shopping specialist Bodge cautions users to stay vigilant, especially inside brick-and-mortar stores. These potential savings might not be immediately visible and could be missed without sufficient attentiveness. Each cash back app presents different benefits and some require dispute resolutions for the promised cash back.
Bodge suggests strategies to maximize savings, including checking reviews before downloading apps, using browser extensions for promotional code notifications and combining cash back with existing credit card rewards. Tracking spending with budgeting tools and negotiating prices are other effective measures.
Most cash back services are free, providing an opportunity to test these apps without financial risk. Such services are advantageous to find the best deals, offering varied brands and products. Additionally, they provide users with multiple cash back options and promotions, savings tracking and secure payment methods.
