Microsoft Live Cashback Program

[johnrr6]

I didn't know what forum to ask this question in so If I'm in the wrong one----please excuse....

Has anyone actually used the Microsoft Live Cashback Program???

I've run across some traffic on it and it seems an incredible savings on big dollar tech items like Laptops.....

One guy claimed he had purchased a brand new HP TX2500 laptop through HPs website----customized and tricked out the way he wanted. HP quoted final price after normal HP discounts was $1200 yet the final price to him after the cashback program was only $800! He got almost a 35% Discount!!!!

I tested it out without actually buying anything----signed up for the program-----went to HPs website THROUGH the link on Live Search and it immediately talked about a 25% discount and appeared to be totally legit.

Anybody try this????

Why would I NOT want to use the discount method???? What's the catch???

25% off the price of a $1000 laptop just ain't half bad......

[sammy2066]

What a coincidence, I heard about this today on slickdeals. I wanna know how this works ...

[johnrr6]

Some more details----looks totally legit and supported by Microsoft....

The downside is that you may have to wait up to 90 days to see the "cashback" amount appear in your cashback account...

and only then can you request it be reimbursed to you....

25% off the final value of a $1000 laptop from HP makes that laptop ultimately only cost $750.....

But you have to be patient to get the final money back......

I guess this is like a BIG rebate-----only you may have to wait longer than 6-8 weeks like most rebates.....

Live Search cashback - Live Search

Also this:----Paragraph 17 of the latest Microsoft Live Service Agreement (Terms and Conditions)---(you have to agree to this agreement to use their "Live" services):

17. Live Search Cashback.
You can participate in the Live Search cashback service if you are 18 years old, reside in the United States and satisfy the requirements described in this contract and at the Live Search cashback website (http://search.live.com/cashback). Live Search cashback is a service for you to accumulate rewards for making qualifying purchases from participating stores. These rewards may be redeemed later for cash or via other payment instrument that you select for your cashback account.

You may earn up to Two Thousand Five Hundred U.S. Dollars ($2,500.00) of cashback rewards in a calendar year. You may earn Live Search cashback rewards on purchases that you complete in the same web browsing session after clicking on advertisements or listings in the Live Search service or the Live Search cashback service. Eligible advertisements will be marked with the Live Search cashback logo. You will not earn cashback rewards on purchases where (a) you open the store's web site in a different web browser; (b) your browser is not configured to accept cookies; (c) the purchase is not completed in the same web browsing session (not to exceed 24 hours) initiated by clicking on the eligible advertisement or listing; (d) the order is later cancelled or the goods or services are later returned; (e) the store does not report the purchase to Microsoft; (f) the goods or services are acquired for resale or other business purposes; (g) you also use a separate discount or coupon; or (h) you exceed the annual monetary cap on cashback rewards. Live Search cashback rewards are not available on purchases of gift cards or gift certificates or on purchases you make from yourself or entities that you control or in collusion with other people.

There may be additional limitations on purchases on certain merchant sites, and those limitations will be disclosed on the merchant site. Your participation in the Live Search cashback service on such merchant sites will be subject to these terms and conditions as well as any additional ones disclosed on the merchant site. In the event of a conflict between any of these terms and conditions and those disclosed on the merchant site, the ones disclosed on the merchant site will apply and control. To participate in the service you must set up a Live Search cashback account at https://cashbackaccount.search.live....k/welcome.aspx by providing all of the required registration information. You must keep this account information up to date, accurate and secure. You may not barter, trade or otherwise exchange your account or maintain more than one account.

We will describe the Live Search cashback rewards available for associated qualifying purchases. Within two days after a qualifying purchase is reported to us, we will list the purchase in your account with a status of "pending." The purchase will stay in pending status for a period of up to 60 days (although for certain merchants, the period can extend up to 90 days) to account for returns, refunds, fraud and other processing issues. After this point, if the purchase is eligible for rewards, it will be marked as "available" in your account and the associated rewards will be eligible for redemption as described below. You must ensure that we properly post rewards to your account. If you believe that you have earned rewards that are not posted to your account, we will not consider posting them to your account unless you contact us within six months after the date of the associated purchase. We may require reasonable documentation to support your claim.

Live Search cashback rewards have no monetary value until the associated purchases are approved and you make a proper redemption request. You may request redemptions from your account, subject to then-current minimum redemption requirements. Redemptions for cash payments are subject to section 8 above. There may be additional limitations for redeeming rewards on purchases from certain merchant sites, and those limitations will be disclosed on the merchant site. We may offer additional redemption options. You are responsible for any tax liability from your participation in the service.

Microsoft may disqualify transactions, seek return of previously paid cashback rewards, refuse redemptions and/or close your account at any time if you participate in any fraud or abuse relating to the service (including conducting "sham" transactions or otherwise colluding with merchants), make any misrepresentation in connection with your participation in the service or do not comply with this contract. Microsoft also may close your account if it has been inactive for 12 months (i.e., no qualifying purchases or redemption of rewards during the 12-month period). Accrued but unredeemed Live Search cashback rewards in accounts that are closed will be returned to Microsoft.

Advertisers, merchants and service providers for the Live Search cashback service, while beneficiaries of the disclaimers and limitations of liability in sections 20 and 21 below, have no obligations to you for the service or under this contract.

[johnrr6]

OK----did it and it seems to work fine....

I bought an Asus EeePC from a vendor on e-bay....

and got 30% "Cashback" which equated to $126

After the additional 10% disount coupon ebay offered for Cyber Monday----the whole PC will wind up costing me $260---NOT BAD for a brand new, higher level Eee!!!!

The $126 is linked to my Paypal and I will be able to use the cashback within 60 days.....

Key Points....

You have to have a MS Live ID
You have to set up a MS Cashback account
You have to have a PayPal account
You have to search for any item to buy THROUGH Live Search
items that qualify for cashback are clearly marked with a little cashback icon
You must buy the item within 60 minutes of your original search
you must use PayPal to buy

30% is huge folks----I suggest you look into this.....

The percentage does vary----but still, mix that with another coupon offered by a vendor and we are talking BIG savings.....