Vital Choice shopping (77 views)

Here's some more info....

If you are going thru ebates to order stuff online they don't have your credit card number (they are offering a new thing that you can earn cash back at some brick and mortar stores but let's ignore that part for now, for that you can link your credit card, I haven't done that yet, but will keep in mind if making a big in-store purchase somewhere -- will check if that is one of their partner choices, much more limited list for that).

In a nutshell what I do, is if I'm buying something online, I go to Ebates.com, log into my account (when I signed up they wanted just basic contact info, including address so they can mail you the quarterly check, no , no SS#, no bank stuff), and then say I want to buy something online, I check to see if that "website" has partnered with ebates. There are a gazilion places, from Sur La Table, Saks, Neimans Marcus, Nordstrom, Groupon, Gap, LandsEnd, Orbitz etc ....

So for example, I would just click on the Sur La Table button and it just brings me to the Sur La Table website and I order like I would have always done, as if I started on the Sur La Table site. They know that the "shopping trip" originated from the Ebates site (to earn the cash back you have to log-in and start on ebates) and you earn whatever percentage SLT is giving at that time on your order (I've seen just a few restrictions, for example you can only earn cash back on certain categories on Amazon -- and it changes too).

I would say the cash back often ranges from 2-6%, but I have gotten in the 7-15% range too, and they often special double offers etc. I don't know if it makes any difference, but I usually empty my shopping cart (if I had things it in it already and start fresh when ordering)

I've used Ebates when ordering from Nordstrom, Amazon (no surprise Amazon doesn't offer it on all items but I have scored I think 10% off shoes during a weekend promo), buying plane tickets, Groupon, Vitacost etc. I just ordered shoes from Shoebuy and they had 12% at that time. Hey not bad on over a $200 purchase.

I've earned over $180 to date (and I do the check option, not sure if they do PayPal but I wasn't interested in going that way, I think they mail the checks quarterly). And yes when I signed up I got a $10 check (I took that option over a gift card to a big chain store). I had to place an order going thru ebates to earn the money, and not sure if had to spend a certain amount, if so, it was fairly low like $25). My dad signed up using my referral and he got $10, and same story, I think once they placed an order). I think the referral amount was $25.

So if it all works, you should then save the 10% off your order, earn 4% cash back in a check (as of today it is 4% from VitalChoice, the amount sometimes changes based on promos), and get $10 check in as a to join perk. Not a huge amount, but when you asked if anyone had a better coupon code ---I thought I would toss out the Ebates route as an additional savings. Of course, I didn't know if you were already a member or even interested -- but just another suggestion. It all adds up overtime, especially if you order things online throughout the year. I often just earn a couple of dollars or less, but sometimes $10, $20 a pop. Oh, I don't know if there are any restrictions on referring people in same household -- perhaps your DH can sign up too.

I've never had any problems, I don't bother with tracking to make sure I get the money back from each purchase -- but I' have looked at the recap and haven't noticed any missed amounts off the top of my head. The way I see it -- it is just found money since I was going to ordering from those places anyway. And, the ironic thing is that I would see the ads on tv for such a long time, but joined maybe in the last year or so (no idea why -- maybe I thought it was too good to be true/or would take work).

And, yes you can use your promo code. In fact on ebates they mention... Save 10% Site Wide & Get Free Shipping On Orders Over $99 At VitalChoice.com! And ebates gives a coupon code to type in (I've never noticed specific coupon codes before). For example, I just placed a Gap order, starting on Ebates, and it brought me to the Gap site, and used the Gap savings code that was plastered on the Gap site promoting a big sale.

ETA: I did notice this blurb... Special Terms: Use of coupon/promotional codes not listed on Ebates may void Cash Back under VitalChoice (never noticed before) -- but even if that was the case, I wasn't going to get any cash back without ebates anyway so it wouldn't bother me. And for your site they mention a specific code to use.

IMO I think worth it to join especially if you place orders with some of those websites anyway. Again in my IMO just free money! I can't see any risk (but like everything, everyone needs to check out and look into and decide).

If you have any questions, ask away! And thanks for the info about Vital Choice -- I bookmarked it.