Bing Cashback Back For Ebay

[itlnstln]

You read all that?  I just look at the pictures.

C'mon, you know me.  I saw there was about 3 pages of stuff I didn't read and moved on.

[wellington1869]

Where Ray's point and mine splits is that it appears that he'll opt-out on principle. I'm not convinced that opting out on principle always has an effect so I'll pick and choose when I choose not to play the game. I may feel infantalized by all the games played to get to me overestimate the real price of something that's on "discount", but I accept it as something you just have to put up with.

well i think you and i are more or less on the same page.
I do "get" where raj is coming from. I'm just not as idealistic as that I guess. Its a question of degree, probably.

I just don't think that will happen and as I explained above, I see strategic reasons for why Microsoft would want to do this in their fight against Google.

i agree that their main bogey here is probably google. (I additionally agree that MS will likely fail in the long run in this project. But I understand that they have to try).

The Pepsodent story is silly in the context of anonymous chain retail and Internet retail, but in the context of local shopping it might not be so idiotic.
Not every retailer competes on price alone and I appreciate the value and convenience of a good store with people I trust and fair pricing across the board so I'll pay a little extra even if I could get it cheaper online or down the street at some place that doesn't treat me like a human being.

believe it or not, i actually agree with this too. I too value the mom n pop experience, personal attention and etc, capitalism-with-a-human-face, and i too believe in supporting local farms and local manufacturers. To a point. THere's no one in my neighborhood manufacturing keyboards locally, so for that i'm happy to go to ebay (and bing).

 There's a difference between being a Pepsodent chump and using your money to support things like trust and service that have intangible value to you.

agreed. I too would gladly pay a bit extra, when it makes sense, to maintain local trust and value and i too would pay for service in certain cases. Like you, I just dont think thats the argument against bing here.
For that matter, nor do I use bing all that often (as I said, once a month; the vast majority of my purchases online and locally are spread quite widely across retailers, some of which i gladly pay extra for their local accessibilty or their personalized service).


And lastly, here's a picture for itlnstln and ripster:

[Rajagra]

OK then. Pictorial proof that things aren't always what they seem at first glance:

[wellington1869]

OK then. Pictorial proof that things aren't always what they seem at first glance:

I'm staring hard hoping to see either a naked lady or a spaceship. So far I see a large white cat

[wellington1869]

pictorial proof that sometimes things are what they appear to be at first glance?:  

[skcheng]

What happens if you automated snipe on Ebay?  Sounds like Bing has to be tracking your logon and search somehow.  

I'll just stick to my 1% automatic cash back credit card.   I'm lazy.  Plus, I KNOW my credit card company is evil.

Bing Cashback only works for Buy it Now items followed by Paypal payments on Ebay.   Regular auctions don't work.  

My 8% is 7% > your 1% which equals a lot in my book.   Stop being so lazy!!

[skcheng]

We are all paying for that 5% cashback reward. Ray is right about that one. A chunk of that cashback is coming from the merchant who is getting charged higher fees whenever you use that card as opposed to a Visa card with no cashback benefits. Over time, that likely translates into a need to bump up the prices a little elsewhere to keep the doors open.  

As a merchant (health care provider actually), I accept credit cards as payment.   These can vary anywhere from 2% to over 6% based on the credit card.  Business American Express Travel cards are the WORST.  I have an entire list of exactly what I pay and I deal with it.  I don't "bump" up my prices based on credit card used for payment and I don't discount for cash.  But that's me.  I report everything and I'm happy to pay whatever taxes my accountant tells me pay.   The more taxes I pay, the more money I'm making.  That's how it's supposed to work.   If I give a cash discount to my patients, isn't that implying that my other patients pay "more" since they're not paying cash??   And I gladly accept checks and I'll work out payment arrangements if necessary.   If I deem it appropriate, I'll do the work for free.  I've never sent anyone out to collections and I "most likely" never will.  I sleep well at night and every year despite the recession, I've seen my practice grow.   So that's my take on it.  The advantage of a credit card payment is that payment is immediate.  "Check's in the mail" stories get old sometimes.  

I don't pay by credit card at mom n' pop shops if I can help it anymore. I try to remember to bring cash and a checkbook. I'd rather that more of my money stays with them and less of it goes to the bank. If that means that I end up losing $5 in air miles and the shop gets to avoid $5 in fees, I'm fine with that.

That's great that you feel this way.  Me too.   I pay cash whenever I can.  But like most people, I order a LOT online.   And if you like collecting and you use Ebay, well......most people want Paypal these days.  When I've purchased from members here on Geekhack, I've sent a USPS money order whenever possible.     Some have been fine with that, while others have insisted on Paypal.   That's fine.  I also have a Paypal credit card which gives me a small cashback incentive.   In the past, it was a NIGHTMARE trying to send money overseas.   Bank transfers, concealed cash etc...  So like most people, I've given up and accepted Paypal.  But if anyone here has had a chargeback experience or some other negative Paypal situation, then they know that Paypal can be frought with issues.   The seller is not always protected......

The age of extra bonus reward cards as we know it may be coming to an end in the US. In some legislation getting worked on in the financial reform overhaul, it dilutes the power of credit card companies' power to impose terms and charges on merchants. Businesses may start charging one price for cash purchases and a special price indexed against the cost of supporting certain credit cards.

To each their own.  We've paid one price for gas at the gas pump via credit and another price for cash.   The better the Credit Card appears to the customer, the worse it is for the business.   The customer usually has no idea that the business eats the extra percentage for those travel miles or those bonus spending points.   And they probably don't care....

I've already seen a store or two offering their customers a discount for making their purchases in cash.

I personally think that's wrong......but that's me.  As business owners, we can choose to practice what we believe in.   Some can get away entirely as cash based businesses.   Other's can't.   Eat at Peter Luger's Steak House in Brooklyn and you better bring a lot of cash.    But I don't think that would fly in most restaurants.  

I'm of the same mind as Ray when it comes to psychological schemes to get me to feel good about spending more money. Screw the dog and pony show. I just want a fair price, but I'm not going to opt out all the time because I don't believe the problem will go away if I refuse to play... at least when it comes to the Internet marketplace. If we're talking about the local marketplace, it's a different story.

I think we're looking too negatively at the picture here.   It's very simple.  You and I both purchase the same item on sale at Tiger Direct.   We both pay with Paypal.   You pay X amount directly.   I pay (X - 12-15%) just by going through Bing.com.   Nothing dishonest or illegal.  If I can save some.....I just might spend more.   If Tiger Direct doesn't like dealing with Bing.com, then they can refuse to do so.  I'm quite certain that the Bing cashback has created more sales for Tiger Direct.   Wouldn't you agree to at least that point??  It's a voluntary partnership.

But if you don't feel comfortable with all of this......simply don't use it.  No big deal.   And total disclaimer here:   I do not work for Microsoft or have any affiliation with Bing.com or Bing cashback.    I just wanted to pass along some savings to fellow Geekhackers who might like purchasing Buy It Now items listed on Ebay  with Paypal.   That's all  

skc

[skcheng]

My son's orthodontist discounts for cash up front.  

And "Buy It Now" is no fun.  Sniping someone 5 seconds before Auction close is fun.  I'm too lazy to do the whole Bing search thing.

I know most dentists probably "do" discount for cash.   As a rule, I don't discount at all.   And I also don't accept insurance as payment in full.   My personal feeling is that my fee should be the same regardless of whom I'm treating.   Others seem to think that it's okay to jack up fees to then give a discount.   Eh......don't get me started.  

Buy It Now can be fun depending on the situation.   What heppened with Ebay was they started charging increased amounts for everything.  Lising fee, reserve fee etc...   And some sellers really don't want to wait for a lengthy auction to end.  So Buy it Now serves a purpose on Ebay.  

As for the "too lazy" part.....really can't help you there      I wouldn't bother with sales, discounts, good deals, or cashback either if I had your deeper than deep NIB pockets  

[wellington1869]

skc, you forget to add some pics for ripster and itlnstln.

[wellington1869]

fwiw, bing is holding market share at about 10%, with 8 months of growth earlier this year (tho the numbers are tiny).  Also its hemorraging money but MS seems to be ok with that for now.

from: http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5gnNDa28muSZhB5AsG5rTbE0bbxwg

Microsoft's new Internet search engine Bing slightly increased its share of the US search market in January, the eighth month in a row of modest gains, online tracking firm comScore said Wednesday.

Bing's share of the US search market rose to 11.3 percent in January from 10.7 percent in December, comScore said, while its search partner Yahoo! saw its share dip from 17.3 percent to 17.0 percent.

Google remained the overwhelming leader of the lucrative US search and advertising market last month although its share fell to 65.4 percent in January from 65.7 percent in December.

[wellington1869]

her first name is "bada"

[Input Nirvana]

I bought a Logitech mouse a few minutes ago on Ebay Buy-It-Now PayPal. The seller went to great lengths point by point to explain Bing CashBack and how to use it on his listing. It seemed that he was getting paid to promote it. The sale was $19.45 for an RX1500 mouse, so even though I took several of the steps, I ultimately blew it off. A larger purchase could have swayed me.

I'll try Bing, you guys are so positive about it.

[skcheng]

I like Urban Dictionary's definition.

I don't necessary search for anything on Bing.  Google is still King for search engines.   I use Bing almost exclusively for their cashback.   Slickdeals, Techbargains and other sites are always posting the "best" cashback deals.  

And it's EASY.......unless you're really lazy.  

[skcheng]

I bought a Logitech mouse a few minutes ago on Ebay Buy-It-Now PayPal. The seller went to great lengths point by point to explain Bing CashBack and how to use it on his listing. It seemed that he was getting paid to promote it. The sale was $19.45 for an RX1500 mouse, so even though I took several of the steps, I ultimately blew it off. A larger purchase could have swayed me.

I'll try Bing, you guys are so positive about it.

Once you start using Bing, you'll find it fairly easy and routine.   I was surprised when Ebay wasn't listed under Bing cashback stores for a while.  I'm glad it's back.   Occasionally it's higher than 8%, but lately it's been sitting there steady.

Even a $20 purchase gives you back $1.60.   I didn't know that there was a 100 purchase limit.   I'll probably pass over that limit before the year is up.

[wellington1869]

I use Bing almost exclusively for their cashback.  

lol, same here

[wellington1869]

I'll try Bing, you guys are so positive about it.

yes, if you have any questions, just come back and post to this thread

I dont work for bing either, but like skc I like promoting decent deals to like minded shoppers.

[Input Nirvana]

I'm self-employed, which by definition means I'm a professional skinflint gambler.

[skcheng]

I AM lazy.  Don't even use coupons at the store.

Drives my mother nuts.

>

[wellington1869]

I'm self-employed, which by definition means I'm a professional skinflint gambler.

i'm a perpetual student, so that definition automatically applies to me too

[skcheng]

I forgot to mention that Bing Cashback also applies to sale items.   It's not limited to full retail online purchases.    And MANY stores even offer free shipping when used with Bing.  

Hey Rip, the closest thing I could find for you was a nice 5% cashback at Bigdaddybeauty.com

[hyperlinked]

I think we're looking too negatively at the picture here.   It's very simple.  You and I both purchase the same item on sale at Tiger Direct.   We both pay with Paypal.   You pay X amount directly.   I pay (X - 12-15%) just by going through Bing.com.   Nothing dishonest or illegal.  If I can save some.....I just might spend more.   If Tiger Direct doesn't like dealing with Bing.com, then they can refuse to do so.  I'm quite certain that the Bing cashback has created more sales for Tiger Direct.   Wouldn't you agree to at least that point??  It's a voluntary partnership.

I don't think we're actually debating anything here. I'm actually in agreement with what you're saying and I grudgingly accept that this is the way it is. I say grudgingly because what TigerDirect.com does is their business, but I'm just not a fan of discount culture even though I'm probably no more likely to pay a penny more for something online than you would if I can help it. I want to save money, but don't want to be forced into a chess match to do so.

I think it's a little too simple to say that lower prices equate to improved sales and improved profits. Discount retailers are already moving stuff at very slim margins and any deeper cuts probably put them on the wrong side of the curve of diminishing returns... but I'm not going to cry for TigerDirect.com if their discounts don't result in higher overall profits. As you said, nobody's forcing them into this so they probably have very good reasons for doing it and will withdraw the day those reasons cease to be true.

But if you don't feel comfortable with all of this......simply don't use it.  No big deal.   And total disclaimer here:   I do not work for Microsoft or have any affiliation with Bing.com or Bing cashback.    I just wanted to pass along some savings to fellow Geekhackers who might like purchasing Buy It Now items listed on Ebay  with Paypal.   That's all  

I think somewhere in this thread it got misunderstood that I was uncomfortable with using Bing Cashback. I just wanted to know what the reasoning behind the free lunch was. As someone who lived and died the dot-com Internet boom and bust revolution as a very active agent of change, I'm suspicious, but mostly intensely curious of the real rationales behind campaigns that appear to be leveraging Y2K marketing strategies on the surface.

And I thank you that I'm probably going to save around $100 on stuff that I needed to buy and that I would have had to buy from otherwise nameless online retailers anyway.

[EverythingIBM]

I bought whatever I felt like eating.  Usually, chips, beer, ice pops......the essentials.

Chips have lots of MSG, which, passes through your "blood brain barrier", causes bad headaches and strokes. Also can make some people fat (hasn't had any effect on me but killer headaches and temporary vision loss). I ate two large bags of old dutch chips straight, just wanted to see what would happen... not a good idea ha.

Popsicles are usually just frozen artificial flavours

Itlnstln knows a thing or two about how REAL homemade food is SO MUCH BETTER. Italian recipies are some of the best. I like Greek food too.

Junkfood is for the uninformed.

[hyperlinked]

Chips have lots of MSG, which, passes through your "blood brain barrier", causes bad headaches and strokes. Also can make some people fat (hasn't had any effect on me but killer headaches and temporary vision loss). I ate two large bags of old dutch chips straight, just wanted to see what would happen...

No doubt MSG is not health food and at best it's just something that won't kill you. That said, what you're claiming is a stretch. You're not a neuroscientist and probably barely know what the Blood Brain Barrier is.

MSG gives me fits too so I'm sympathetic to what it does to you, but the part of me that took a bunch of research science classes in grad school just won't let a medical half truth go by without a wag of the finger. It's a bridge too far to say MSG has direct causation to obesity, headaches, and stroke because not everyone who eats MSG is fat, has headaches, and can't keep blood off of his grey matter.

[skcheng]

And I thank you that I'm probably going to save around $100 on stuff that I needed to buy and that I would have had to buy from otherwise nameless online retailers anyway.

Just trying to be helpful.   I know I've saved a LOT of money using Bing.   And I try to buy only what I need.  In fact, I'm going to limit myself to NO more than 30-40 more keyboards LOL.

[skcheng]

Chips have lots of MSG, which, passes through your "blood brain barrier", causes bad headaches and strokes. Also can make some people fat (hasn't had any effect on me but killer headaches and temporary vision loss). I ate two large bags of old dutch chips straight, just wanted to see what would happen... not a good idea ha.

Popsicles are usually just frozen artificial flavours

Itlnstln knows a thing or two about how REAL homemade food is SO MUCH BETTER. Italian recipies are some of the best. I like Greek food too.

Junkfood is for the uninformed.

Wow, I think I derailed my own thread.  Or was it Ripster again???

Kudos to you if you choose to ALWAYS eat healthy.   But then again, you did voluntarily eat two large bags of chips for some unknown reason??   I suggest you try that same experiment with the following foods:   cheesecake, haggish, and Snickers  

I was sorta, kinda kidding about the beer, chips and ice pops.......well, not really  

Just an FYI, my wife is constantly feeding me crap like wilder than farm raised fish (or something like that) and these disgusting things called vegetables.   Uggghhhh.  

As a trained health care provider with a minor in nutrition, I'm well aware of the benefits of healthy food consumption.  I just can't help myself from occasionally indulging in unhealthy treats.

At least I don't like mayo.   100% pure unadulterated emulsified oil!!!  YUMMY!!!

[itlnstln]

I AM lazy.  Don't even use coupons at the store.

Drives my mother nuts.

>

[wellington1869]

You mean like buying multiple keyboards and RMAing them all?

thats not illegal; in fact, someone's about to do just that in order to go back and buy a filco. That should make you happy NOt to mention the irony that they could never have had that luxury if they had gotten a filco

[skcheng]

I have absolutely NO idea what you guys are talking about.  I don't think I've ever returned anything in my life.  I'm not kidding....

[wellington1869]

Just saying.   The practice raises the cost for EVERYBODY.

yes we've covered that in this thread, its the cost of doing business and a lot of folks wont buy it unless they can try it and anyway the right to an RMA is protected by law in most countries and recognized as a good business practice in the rest. So yea, it'll continue.

[itlnstln]

I have absolutely NO idea what you guys are talking about.  I don't think I've ever returned anything in my life.  I'm not kidding....

They're bringing up old ****.  This and this and especially this.

[wellington1869]

wasnt me who brought it up...   I'm just being consistent with my consumer values and not giving anyone a "let" just cuz i like their product.

[skcheng]

Can we puhleeez stick to Bing Cashback on this thread??   So far, Welly likes it, Raj thinks it's evil internet propaganda designed to destroy us all,  Hyperlink is caving in to save some hard earned dollars, Ripster is flat out too lazy and RICH to be bothered.  I'm not sure where itlnstln stands other than the fact that he can find no good food in San Antonio.  

Anyone else?  I just used my Bing Cashback to buy this since I don't have one yet.

IBM 1390131 Clicky

Saved myself $2.52 which is already in my Paypal account.   Now I can call up Chuck to order another colored keycap  

[wellington1869]

when I bought the scorpius m10 on ebay, it was $59, minus 8%, came out to about $54 shipped. saved about $5 for 15 seconds of work.

saved more on the DSI boards. Will save when I pick up that keytronic 3600 later this week.

I saved something like $32 in a single transaction when I bought my guitar on ebay. Also about that much with my laptop which i bought used on ebay. (I"ve had pretty good luck with buying used ebay stuff).

[kishy]

Can we puhleeez stick to Bing Cashback on this thread??   So far, Welly likes it, Raj thinks it's evil internet propaganda designed to destroy us all,  Hyperlink is caving in to save some hard earned dollars, Ripster is flat out too lazy and RICH to be bothered.  I'm not sure where itlnstln stands other than the fact that he can find no good food in San Antonio.  

Anyone else?  I just used my Bing Cashback to buy this since I don't have one yet.

IBM 1390131 Clicky

Saved myself $2.52 which is already in my Paypal account.   Now I can call up Chuck to order another colored keycap  

I'll give you my thoughts when I make a purchase of a size where it makes enough impact to be noticed.

The vast majority of my ebay purchases are under $10 shipped.

Although, few pennies here, few there...eh why not.

[skcheng]

I promise to stay on topic in this thread if SKCheng and Welly stop polluting the rest of Geekhack with "BING this" and "BING that".

You guys are the pawns of Steve Ballmer.  Good guerrilla marketing but annoying nonetheless.

Promise.  No more mention of Bing from me, outside of this thread.

[wellington1869]

I promise to stay on topic in this thread if SKCheng and Welly stop polluting the rest of Geekhack with "BING this" and "BING that".

You guys are the pawns of Steve Ballmer.  Good guerrilla marketing but annoying nonetheless.

i wonder which is worse - guerilla marketing for filco and getting people to spend extra money, or guerilla marketing for coupons and saving money.

you're right, the latter must be worse  Business lobby > consumer lobby.

I've rarely mentioned bing until this thread reminded me of its awesomeness. And yea, i guess this is the official bing thread.

[skcheng]

I thought it was kinda funny they were discussing the benefits of this for MS or lack of such, while mentioning Bing on an unrelated forum a thousand times. Reminds me of that Apple spammer.

Do you purchase items on Ebay??   Use Paypal??   I'm not sure why anyone would have animosity towards MS or trying to save a few bucks on purchased items?  Isn't that the point of having an "Ebay Finds" section??  If not, then I apologize for the spam.   We can delete this entire thread......

[skcheng]

Do NOT delete the thread.  All I'm asking is there's no need to keep referring to it on EVERY Ebay auction.  Occasional references to a store that HAPPENS to be on Bing like Newegg is OK too - I didn't know about that particular option for example until you started the thread.  Fine to point out in moderation.

Welly, Webwit and I kid around a lot.  Reminds me of the dog park I go to every day where the dogs greet each other by sniffing each other's butts.

Rip.....you are like my brother from another mother!!  LiLo was such a hotty.   Do you remember when Lindsay Lohan used to look like this and was voted Maxim's No.1 Hottest???  What happened to her??

[skcheng]

She graduated from Tenafly High which is across the street from my office.  

I like Quinn.  The ex-Prez of the Chastity Club.

[itlnstln]

went to the dawgs?

Anyway, i've moved on to big nosed italians.

Show Image

wish fox wasn't such a copyright stickler on youtube videos or i'd be posting those all the time.

she graduated from tenafly high which is across the street from my office.  

I like quinn.  The ex-prez of the chastity club.

Show Image

I would just like to say... BING!!!

[itlnstln]

I just carry one of these.  I don't have to say a word.

[wellington1869]

Do NOT delete the thread.  All I'm asking is there's no need to keep referring to it on EVERY Ebay auction.

thats fine, but something here is confusing me. Every forum? Every thread? Do you have some links?   I mentioned it once in recent memory when the OP of a thread specifically stated she was trying to keep price down to $60. (diogenes thread). That was it. To confirm this, I just did a search on the entire forum with my username and the word 'bing'.  Yea, other than this bing thread, and the single mention in diogenes thread for reasons explained above, my 2 or so previous bing mentions were in the Fall of 2009.

I dont mind criticism but would love it if people kept some perspective. Not just you rippy, from skc's quote of webwit's ridiculous post above, i can see he's jumped on the stupid bandwagon without looking once again.

--No one is "spamming" the forum with bing. Please keep your perspective.
--"bing" isnt about "microsoft". Its about a deal ms made with hundreds of retailers, including private sellers who benefit on ebay.

Yes, this is the bing thread and we'll keep news of bing here. In fact, thats what has happened so far. Dont exaggerate to make a false mountain out of a molehill. I cant help but wonder if we searched 'filco' and username 'ripster' just how many search returns we'd get, to compare with.

[Rajagra]

Chips have lots of MSG, which, passes through your "blood brain barrier", causes bad headaches and strokes.
...
Junkfood is for the uninformed.

Toothpaste has lots of fluoride, which passes through the blood-brain barrier, and is a neurotoxin. It accumulates over time and your body can't get rid of it.

Brushing teeth is for the uninformed.

(Joking aside, if I was a young person I would never use fluoride toothpaste.)

Back to bing. I never meant to criticize the original post, just wanted to throw in an opinion. I might even have tried it out myself if bing UK had the cashback thing. (I know, they redirect you to a similar site, but even so.)

Maybe they should call it bung*, under the circumstances?

(*Bung=slang for bribe.)

[itlnstln]

A bung hole and a tap.

[wellington1869]

(Joking aside, if I was a young person I would never use fluoride toothpaste.)

The funny thing is, Pepsodent was like the last toothpaste to finally add flouride. So I picked the right one for you

[Input Nirvana]

Is someone(s) "in the know" making a type of "discounts/rebates/cashback/buyers club" list for the non-informed-but-want-to-know people out there? I, for one, have seen quite a few names just in this thread alone that were new to me.

I thought I read that here, but I don't see it now.

[wellington1869]

maybe a page in the wiki?
or turn this thread into a generic discount/coupon thread?

[kishy]

Just a little tidbit of info, just tried this on an item that had an existing 10% discount. Can't combine the two, unfortunately.

However, this is abnormally simple. I like it.

This is how you know you've arrived at eBay via bing and will receive cashback:

[skcheng]

Just a little tidbit of info, just tried this on an item that had an existing 10% discount. Can't combine the two, unfortunately.

However, this is abnormally simple. I like it.

This is how you know you've arrived at eBay via bing and will receive cashback:

Show Image

Actually, you can combine the two.   It was a seller 10% discount right?  Should work??  As long as it wasn't a Best Offer discount.  Then it doesn't work.

[kishy]

Actually, you can combine the two.   It was a seller 10% discount right?  Should work??  As long as it wasn't a Best Offer discount.  Then it doesn't work.

Nope, seller 10% discount. Cashback thing threw a message during checkout saying the item didn't qualify. Buy-it-now, not auction or best offer.

Bought it anyway, since I wanted the item, but 18% woulda been better than 10%.