Rakuten.com

Rakuten.com

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Overall Rating2.8 out of 5
See all 493 reviews & ratings

About Rakuten.com

Rakuten, formerly known as Ebates, serves over 12 million users in the US by providing cash back deals and promo codes for shoppers. With a browser extension tool and over 2,500 brands on its site, Rakuten offers deals and savings in nearly every online market.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Deals and discounts available
  • Sign up for free
  • Cash back earnings on purchases

Cons

  • Limited rideshare offers
  • Must have a PayPal account

Bottom Line

Rakuten’s promotional deals and coupons let you save money on everyday purchases. The online shopping platform provides opportunities for people to earn cash back on products from more than 2,400 brands.

Featured Reviews

Verified
Coram, NY

99% percent of the time rebates go through seamlessly… It's a no brainer to head onto Rakuten website and go through one of there links to receive money back on products I buy on ...

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Verified
San Mateo, CA

I’ve been using Rakuten.com for years. Getting money back each time I shop online is awesome. The site is easy to use, and if there are any questions, the member services departme...

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What is Rakuten?

Rakuten works with a wide variety of stores to give you cash back deals and discounts. With Rakuten, you receive cash back payments every three months, either through a check in the mail or via PayPal. The company’s browser extension tool lets you see deals when searching for products on the internet, and its Price Magic feature lets you see what percentage you’ll receive in cash back rewards.

How does Rakuten work?

Rakuten gives you access to coupons, sales and cash back rewards all in one place. Its website includes all of the brands and services it currently works with, including companies like Groupon, Ulta, Nike and Sephora.

Rakuten lets you shop any way you want and earn rewards. You can access its tools through Rakuten’s mobile app or shop from its website. You must add a credit or debit card to your account to use Rakuten’s mobile app features.

The Rakuten Cash Back Visa card lets shoppers earn up to 3% extra cash back on qualifying purchases and 1% cash back on all other purchases. The Cash Back Visa has no annual fees and comes with a zero-fraud-liability policy.

Is Rakuten free?

Signing up and creating an account on Rakuten is free for customers. When you make a purchase using Rakuten’s services, the company makes a commission or takes a percentage of the profit from the seller.

Rakuten FAQ

Can I trust Rakuten?

Rakuten is an international company that takes precautions to ensure it complies with the General Data Protection Regulations. Reputable brands and stores trust Rakuten to provide promotions and deals to its customers.

How do I contact Rakuten?

Rakuten offers a help center on its website. Customers can also get more personalized help through their account after signing up.

How do you use Rakuten in stores?

To use Rakuten in stores, shoppers need to download the Rakuten mobile app. With the app, you select the store you’d like to shop at and see available offers. You then need to link the offer to your account and use your debit or credit card to make a purchase. It typically takes a few hours or days for the funds to appear in your account.

What is the catch with Rakuten?

There’s no catch to Rakuten, but you must buy items to earn cash back. Once your account has reached $5, the company releases cash back payments. Earnings depend on the amount you spend.

Is Rakuten legit?

Budget-savvy shoppers who would like to save while buying items they need should look into Rakuten’s discounts and cash back rewards program. We recommend Rakuten for families, avid shoppers and travelers who would like to earn rewards on their purchases.

Rakuten.com Reviews

ConsumerAffairs has collected 493 reviews and 1,112 ratings.

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Page 1 Reviews 0 - 10
Customer ServiceStaff

Reviewed June 18, 2023

In April 2023, I saw an ad for Rakuten and I joined. On May 6th my mom joined after I sent her a referral and showed her how to set up her account. A $30 referral bonus was sent to me and her after she made her first purchase and that is when the problems started. May 14th I sent an email because the cashback was taken out of my account and my mom's account as well. I have contacted Rakuten multiple times about this same issue involving Cashback being taken out of my account. This morning I received an email and I tried to check my account but it was inactive. I asked my mom and the other person I sent referrals out to and they are having the same issue with their accounts. I have tried to reach out through the BBB as well but my issue was not resolved.

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Sales & MarketingStaff

Reviewed June 7, 2023

Now it is simply a bait and switch tactic. Promise, notify, add money to your account then quietly remove all the big generated items. Since 2023 I have Rakuten remove money after it was credited to my account. I was up over $118+ dollars to find out it was reduced to $36+ and tonight &25+ dollars. Seems like all the 15% promotion rebates have been removed after I have spent hundreds of dollars those 15% rebates would have really helped. No explanation. Money is just gone. No live person to contact and you cannot get past the auto bots to reach anyone for help. Best I can figure is Memorial week coupon code listed on the Duluth website I used voided them paying out the 15%.

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Rakuten.com
Response from Rakuten.com

Hi Edward - We're sorry to hear about your Cash Back not being credited. Please email us at socialhelp@rakuten.com and we'll take a look as to why Cash Back has been gone from your account.

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    Customer ServiceSales & Marketing

    Reviewed June 6, 2023

    They did not pay a large rebate they 'confirmed' by email for 60 days, only to remove it just before paying it out. They did not help resolve the issue and delayed the resolution for over 180 days making a refund on the service impossible now. 100% cash back offered and 0% paid out. I'm stuck with an overpriced nordVPN subscription while both Rakuten and nordVPN point the fingers at you or the other party. Scam site. 2023. They used to be a legitimate service but now are just a scam.

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    Rakuten.com
    Response from Rakuten.com

    Hi Benjamin - Please email us at socialhelp@rakuten.com and our team will take a look at your NordVPN purchase for you.

    Customer ServiceOnline & App

    Reviewed May 28, 2023

    Signed up with a YouTuber link for a $30 bonus on the first purchase. Made a purchase, received an email that I got the $30 bonus, and 4 months later still waiting for the check. I installed the browser extension and click on it when I make purchases online. Occasionally it works and says I got 18 cents, or 30 cents, but when I signed up for new cell phone service it never registered the rebate I was supposed to get, and it never works with Walmart or Target the way it is supposed to. I emailed them a few weeks ago through the help link on their website asking about my $30, and of course no response. I think they are probably getting the rebates from the companies and just pocketing it all.

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    Rakuten.com
    Response from Rakuten.com

    Hi Michelle - We're sorry to hear that you didn't receive your Cash Back. Please email your order confirmation to socialhelp@rakuten.com and we'll take a look for you right away.

    Sales & Marketing

    Reviewed May 13, 2023

    As soon as you accumulate an amount above $20, your account will be blocked without explanation. I have been using the account for over a year. And as soon as I collected the amount, the account was blocked. NEVER USE THIS SERVICE. This is a scam.

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    Reviewed March 19, 2023

    Keeps crashing. Lost out on 2 big purchases not to mention the $10 for making a purchase over $25. Well one of my purchases was $96 and the second got so frustrated from all the crashing I just ordered through the ulta app directly. Was also asked to delete a version of my web that's why it was crashing so I did and it still would cash. Doubt I even got my credit for the heydude purchase I made ... Never had this problem before. Even deleted and reinstall the app. No help. Basically losing money so if it works for you great. Me? It did nothing but cause frustration. Good luck losing money they'd promise.

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    Reviewed Feb. 24, 2023

    So I joined Rakuten 8/25/22. Activated it and bought so many products from Ted Baker, Hotwire, Walmart and NYX PROFESSIONAL. I did huge purchases especially through Hotwire for a time I was living in hotels for work. Only credited me $13.79. To get that amount sent, I filled my address and PayPal (they already had my address-so not sure why asking again), and then they say they will send a code to my email. Code never is sent. Not in spam folder. Not in my email address. Wrote them 6-8 emails. Still going round and round. This company is dishonest, lacks integrity. They waste your time and are not effective at back end of customer relationships. They already have all your information, track what you purchase when activating, so this process should be seamless and effortless.

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    Reviewed Feb. 15, 2023

    I was trying to log into my account one day and all of a sudden my Rakuten account comes up as an active. I tried several times to contact their so-called “support “ and could not get a response from them. You can’t get a live person at all when you call their number only a recording that tells you to leave a message. Other than your case has been recorded and they you a long checklists to troubleshoot which more than half of them on there require you to log in and you can’t because my account is inactive! You tried to contact and live agent, and the live agent tells you to fill out a form you can’t even chat with anybody online and you have to sign in and I can’t even sign in.

    They keep telling you, “oh we will get back to you”. I let them know that I had $300 in my account and that I did not receive my cash back and no response has been received. They are not entitled to my money since I am the one spending the money in order receive the reward and that would be considered theft, I guess. I will keep complaining and go as far up the chain as I need to in order to get my money. I would not trust them, it is not right when you can’t speak to anyone nor chat.

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    Reviewed Jan. 25, 2023

    This app is a joke! It says invite friends and they get $30 back after a $30 purchase and I get $30 friend referral bonus. I referred 3 family members, who didn't previously have Rakuten, they BOTH made $30 purchases. At first their purchases showed as "pending" and then they made completely disappeared! My referral bonus showed for about a day and it too disappeared! Customer service is a nightmare! They telling us we abused their program because we are family member and I invited them to join means abusing their program. Seems like they just wanna get people to make purchases and then don't give them the bonus! Now we all five just tried to log in to our accounts and the accounts are "inactive", so any cash back that would have been in the accounts is now gone. What a scam! Telling ALL my family and friends to steer clear of this site! It’s look like they abused people!

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    Reviewed Jan. 12, 2023

    Rakuten is a scam! They said we can invite friends/family, so both side get $40 referral bonus. I referred 2 family members and 2 friends, all of them are new to Rakuten. My family members made $40 purchases. The bonus showed up for few days but it disappeared! My family member emailed them, but they suspended my family member’s and my accounts! I’ve been emailing them (also emailed to socialhelp@rakuten.com) every day and no one reply. No customer service! I am telling ALL my family and friends to stay away from Rakuten!

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    Rakuten.com Company Information

    Company Name:
    Rakuten.com
    Company Type:
    Public
    Ticker Symbol:
    RKUNY
    Year Founded:
    1997
    Formerly Named:
    Rakuten
    Address:
    800 Concar Drive
    City:
    San Mateo
    State/Province:
    CA
    Postal Code:
    94402
    Country:
    United States
    Website:
    www.rakuten.com