Shopping online has become such a normal part of everyday life. Whether it's picking up a new game, ordering something for the home, buying electronics, booking a trip or simply taking advantage of a sale, there are plenty of purchases we make anyway.
If you already shop online (or physically) at stores that are available through ShopBack, using the platform can be a simple way to earn cashback on eligible purchases. You aren't paying a subscription just to participate, and you don't have to change what you're buying. It's just an extra step before you shop to lock in that cashback. Overtime, those little amounts do add up.
I've been using ShopBack for my own online shopping for quite a while now. And while the cashback from an individual purchase usually isn't anything life-changing, I've found that it can be worthwhile when you make it part of your normal shopping routine.
So, what exactly is ShopBack, how does it work, and why should you bother using it?
What is ShopBack?
ShopBack is a cashback and rewards platform that was founded in Singapore in 2014.
The concept is actually quite simple: ShopBack partners with retailers and merchants. When you start your shopping journey through ShopBack and complete an eligible purchase, the merchant pays ShopBack an affiliate commission for referring the customer. Part of that commission is then shared with you as cashback.
So rather than receiving points that can only be used within a particular rewards programme, ShopBack's cashback is actual money.
One of the most important part to understand:
So, if you're already going to buy something from a ShopBack partner, why not see if you can get some of that money back?
How does ShopBack work?
Using ShopBack is relatively straightforward.
Before making any online purchase, I first check whether the retailer is available on ShopBack and then make my purchase.
That click-through is important because ShopBack needs to be recorded as the referrer for the purchase. Tracking information is used to associate your shopping session with ShopBack, allowing the retailer to attribute an eligible sale to the platform.
For physical stores like Paris Baguette or Watson, if they accept Shopback, they will display the QR code for you to scan and make payment. It is that easy. The only downside is that in order to get the cashback, you need to return by a certain date to make another purchase (but still that is better than nothing).
My usual routine is therefore pretty simple:
- Check ShopBack before I shop.
- Read the cashback conditions, especially for a bigger purchase.
- Click through to the retailer. (Scan the QR code if it is a purchase at a physical store.)
- Complete the purchase in the same shopping session.
- Wait for the cashback to appear as Pending.
- Once the retailer confirms the purchase, the cashback becomes Confirmed.
It sounds like quite a few steps when written out, but in reality, the first few only take a little extra time.
Once you get used to checking ShopBack before shopping, it becomes more of a habit than a chore.
So, where does the cashback actually come from?
This was something I didn't really think about when I first started using cashback services, and it can sound almost too good to be true. "Why would a company just give me money for shopping?"
The answer is that ShopBack is part of the retailer's existing affiliate marketing system where retailers spend money to attract customers through advertising, affiliate programmes and other marketing channels. When ShopBack refers a customer who completes an eligible purchase, the retailer pays ShopBack a commission; part of that commission is then passed back to the shopper as cashback.
That's also why the cashback rate can vary so much between different stores and different promotions.
Is ShopBack actually free?
ShopBack currently states that there is no sign-up fee, no standard cashback service fee and no withdrawal fee. The app and browser extension are also free to use.
And that is one of the reason I think making some effort to get cashback makes sense, even if it is an extra step. If you were already going to make a qualifying purchase, you have the opportunity to get some money back. So why not?
My experience with ShopBack
I had heard about ShopBack before I actually started using it. It wasn't until a friend sent me a referral link that I decided to give it a try. Since I was already shopping online at some of the retailers available through ShopBack, I figured I might as well see what happened.
At the time, I wasn't expecting to accumulate much. After around eight months of using it for my usual online shopping, I had accumulated roughly S$53 in cashback and had already withdrawn around S$38.
Right now, I have accumulated S$599.63 in cashback which is not too bad.
I hadn't started buying more things just because there was cashback available. I was simply getting some money back from purchases I was already making. And that's the way I think cashback works best.
I don't look at a high cashback percentage and think that I need to buy it, I buy what I was going to buy anyways and use Shopback to get cashback if it's available.
The cashback isn't instant
One thing that can be confusing when you're new to ShopBack is that the cashback doesn't normally become available immediately after you make a purchase.
Instead, it first appears as Pending Cashback which means that ShopBack has recorded the cashback associated with your purchase, but it isn't ready to be withdrawn yet. The retailer still needs to validate the transaction, and the relevant claim or return period needs to pass.
For many regular retail purchases, this can take a few weeks. For example, travel purchases can take considerably longer because the merchant may need to wait until after the trip or stay has been completed before confirming the transaction.
So don't look at your Pending Cashback balance and think you've suddenly got a pile of spending money. It's money you've potentially earned, but it still needs to be confirmed first (sometimes it can be rejected and you can appeal but I don't find the effort worth it).
Why I keep checking ShopBack before I shop
I'm not necessarily paying more if I don't use ShopBack since I'm paying the same retailer price. What I'm potentially missing is the cashback that I could have earned.
For example, if I was going to spend S$100 anyway and the current eligible cashback rate was 5%, I could potentially receive S$5 back. I'm still paying S$100 at checkout. The difference is that after the purchase is confirmed, I could have S$5 returned to my ShopBack balance.
That may not sound like much from one purchase. But repeat that over many purchases throughout the year and those small amounts can start becoming a little more meaningful.
And that's really the point of ShopBack for me. It's about getting something back from money I was already going to spend.
T&Cs apply. Cashback rates and eligibility vary by merchant and offer.
The Pros of ShopBack
What I Like
- It's free to use. There is currently no standard sign-up, cashback service or withdrawal fee for ShopBack.
- You earn actual cashback. You're getting money back rather than collecting points that can only be used within a particular rewards programme.
- It works across different categories. ShopBack isn't limited to one type of shopping. There are participating merchants across shopping, electronics, fashion, food, travel, beauty, groceries and more.
- Small amounts can add up. A few dollars from one purchase might not seem like much, but repeated purchases can gradually build a balance.
- Promotional cashback can be useful. Some retailers offer boosted cashback rates during campaigns, which can make checking ShopBack particularly worthwhile before a larger purchase.
- It can become part of your normal shopping routine. Once you get into the habit of checking ShopBack before buying something, it doesn't take much additional effort.
What I Don't Like
- Cashback isn't instant. Your cashback usually starts as Pending and needs to be confirmed before it can be withdrawn.
- Not every purchase qualifies. Individual retailers can have exclusions covering certain products, vouchers, gift cards, fees, shipping charges or other transactions.
- You have to remember to use it. If you forget to start your shopping journey through ShopBack, you may miss out on the cashback.
- Tracking can sometimes fail. Other links, browser settings, ad blockers, extensions or interruptions during your shopping session can interfere with tracking.
- Cashback rates change. The percentage you see today might not be available tomorrow.
What Can Cause Cashback Tracking Problems?
This is probably one of the less exciting parts of using a cashback platform, but it is worth understanding.
ShopBack says that tracking can be affected by things such as using other links or promotional channels before completing your purchase, the item was already on sale, browser settings, ad blockers, cookies and other technical factors.
For example, imagine you open ShopBack, click through to a retailer, then leave the site, click an advertisement from somewhere else and return later to complete your order.
There is a possibility that the original ShopBack referral may no longer be correctly attributed.
That's why I prefer to keep things simple:
The fewer interruptions between those steps, the better.
If the cashback doesn't appear, ShopBack also has a cashback claim process for eligible transactions. You'll generally need your order information and supporting details so that the transaction can be investigated. But I find the effort for a few cents or dollars not worth it going through this process.
Another aspect is the cashback getting rejected, due to the use of other vouchers during purchase or the item was already on sale, so it was not eligible.
How Do You Withdraw ShopBack Cashback?
Once your cashback has been confirmed, you can withdraw it once you've reached the applicable minimum withdrawal amount.
For ShopBack Singapore, the current minimum withdrawal amount is S$10 of Confirmed Cashback.
ShopBack currently allows Singapore users to withdraw their cashback to a Singapore bank account, and states that there is no withdrawal fee. The stated processing time is up to 10 calendar days.
Final Thoughts
ShopBack isn't going to make you rich, and I don't think it should be treated as a reason to spend more money. But if you already shop online regularly, I think it's worth adding that extra step before you check out.
Sometimes the cashback might only be a few cents or a couple of dollars. Other times, particularly during promotional campaigns or on larger purchases, it can be much more noticeable.
Either way, I'd rather get something back from a purchase I was already going to make than leave that potential cashback behind.
And that's really the best way I can describe ShopBack after using it myself:
ShopBack isn't about making shopping free. It's about turning purchases you're already making into an opportunity to earn a little something back.
If you're already going to shop at a participating retailer, checking ShopBack first costs you very little, and sometimes that extra few seconds can put a few extra dollars back in your pocket.
T&Cs apply. Cashback rates and eligibility vary by merchant and offer.
Posts
0 Comments