BigCrumbs Cash Back Program Suspended on eBay

thunderdan · June 14, 2011 9:18AM

Just received this email from BigCrumbs (haven't seen anything from eBates or Mr. Rebates yet):

We are writing to inform you that, at eBay’s request, cash back at eBay.com will no longer be available on BigCrumbs.com or any other rewards website for purchases made on eBay.com from June 16, 2011 at 12:00 AM PST through October 1, 2011 at 12:01 AM PST.

During the suspension period, eBay plans to re-evaluate the current pricing model for loyalty partnerships and possibly make adjustments to that model when the program resumes.

This suspension only affects eBay.com and does NOT affect the following eBay sites: ebay.co.uk, ebay.ca, or ebay.com.au. Additionally, Half.com cash back rates will remain unchanged.

Please note that purchases at eBay.com made via BigCrumbs through June 16, 2011 at 12:00 AM will continue to credit at the normal rate. We encourage you to make any planned purchases prior to that date.

As many of you know, BigCrumbs was the original eBay cash back affiliate partner. Over the past 5 years, we have served thousands of loyal members and provided millions of dollars in cash back and referral commissions on eBay.com purchases.

We are disappointed by eBay's decision to suspend their partnership with BigCrumbs.com and we promise to keep you informed of any future updates. We do recognize that some of our members will be significantly impacted through loss in both the generous cash back and referral commissions that we paid on eBay.com purchases.

But, please rest assured that BigCrumbs will not waver in its continuous efforts to provide superior value, exclusive deals and the highest overall cash back at over 1,200 other top retailers. During eBay.com's hiatus, we plan to actively pursue new partnerships and grow existing partnerships with retailers that offer similar products, deals and cash back.

We will also launch new programs aimed at further helping our loyal members to both save and earn more.

Our goal has always been to provide a venue where consumers could pay less for the items they buy every day and also share in the wealth created by trillions of dollars in consumer spending. While eBay has played a significant role in that, we will use this opportunity to expand our mission and provide our members with more than they ever imagined. We have some really cool stuff that's already in the works.

We’re just getting started.

Regards,
BigCrumbs.com

Bunker · June 14, 2011 9:28AM

I just received the same email...

DavidPuddy · June 14, 2011 9:28AM

Received just about the same thing yesterday from Ebates.

storm888 · June 14, 2011 9:33AM

NO more rebates.

They claim they will be back later, but I dunno.

grote15 · June 14, 2011 9:49AM

I got notice from ebates...also use big crumbs but haven't heard anything from them yet. Real downer as I was getting a nice little chunk of change every 15th of month..just got $140 this month, in fact. Anyone know what happened?

After reading email above it sounds like just another example of corporate greed on ebays part.

thunderdan · June 14, 2011 9:53AM

<< I got notice from ebates...also use big crumbs but haven't heard anything from them yet. Real downer as I was getting a nice little chunk of change every 15th of month..just got $140 this month, in fact. Anyone know what happened? >>

The tone of the email suggests that eBay is simply reevaluating the efficacy of this marketing channel during the suspension period. Could go either way at the end of it, though my guess is they will keep some level of affiliate marketing at the end of the evaluation period. If it has become too rich for them, they can always lower the rev share %.

Sportsamerica · June 14, 2011 10:00AM

So we know big crumbs and ebates. What about the others.

Sportsamerica · June 14, 2011 10:05AM

I haven't seen this one going away yet. Kickback

storm888 · June 14, 2011 10:46AM

ALL rebates are going to be suspended.

thunderdan is correct; they wanna "evaluate" the schemes.

Since the "evaluation" will show that some categories are
sensitive to the rebates and some are not, the rebates
will likely be category centric IF they are brought back.

My WAG is that fashion is rebate sensitive, most collectible
cats are not. I could be wrong, of course, but I don't think
so.

CrazyMind2017 · June 14, 2011 11:04AM

They recently reduced the donation rate on iGive.com from 20% of FVF fees collected to 10%.

cadets68 · June 14, 2011 11:39AM

<< After reading email above it sounds like just another example of corporate greed on ebays part. >>

I do not get the "corporate greed" part. Sounds like a possible change in the way they spend there marketing dollars.

Greed has such a negative connotation. Could be so many other reasons for making the change.

Does not sound like corporate greed to me. More likely an ineffective way to attract new customers to Ebay.

Shawn

CNote · June 14, 2011 11:49AM

<< 

<< After reading email above it sounds like just another example of corporate greed on ebays part. >>

I do not get the "corporate greed" part. Sounds like a possible change in the way they spend there marketing dollars.

Greed has such a negative connotation. Could be so many other reasons for making the change.

Does not sound like corporate greed to me. More likely an ineffective way to attract new customers to Ebay.

Shawn >>

So says the guy that probably works in marketing for eBay.

cadets68 · June 14, 2011 12:30PM

<< So says the guy that probably works in marketing for eBay. >>

Wrong, says a guy who works in finance. And also owns another business.

Probably to a communist stooge that believes profits are evil and everyone that makes more than him is overpaid. All this while adding nothing to his company or the economy.

I also wish they would keep the rebate programs.

But no one is forced to buy or sell on Ebay.

Open a competing site so that you too can enjoy all the benefits of "corporate greed".

grote15 · June 14, 2011 12:45PM

I do not get the "corporate greed" part. Sounds like a possible change in the way they spend there marketing dollars.

Greed has such a negative connotation. Could be so many other reasons for making the change.

Does not sound like corporate greed to me. More likely an ineffective way to attract new customers to Ebay.

Shawn >>

So says the guy that probably works in marketing for eBay.

grote15 · June 14, 2011 12:49PM

Relax, cadet68, no need to get your feathers ruffled. Like any monopoly or RICO gang, Ebay can do whatever they want, as is their right, or until someone or some group has the resources to challenge them in court for myriad banking violations committed under the auspices of their alter ego, Paypal.

brendanb438 · June 14, 2011 1:02PM

So far no notice or info saying Mr Rebates is off the kickback wagon.

grote15 · June 14, 2011 1:17PM

So far no notice or info saying Mr Rebates is off the kickback wagon.

From what I've been told, all rebate programs will be suspended, which will include Mr. Rebates as well.

jeffcbay · June 14, 2011 3:43PM

This has a high suck-factor. Not only does it suck for those who enjoy receiving cash back from their purchases and referrals, but it also sucks for the sellers who enjoy selling their items for slightly more than they're worth because the buyer is taking advantage of cash back incentives. I hope it comes back fast... and improved.

matthewbschultz83 · June 14, 2011 5:03PM

Forgive the naivety but what are these programs and exactly what do they do?

KbKards · June 15, 2011 12:12AM

Think of it as a discount for dummies. All you've got to do is follow their procedure when you buy on Ebay and you can get 2-3% off on your purchase. You could also contact the seller directly and bypass Ebay and get a 10-15% discount but you won't be awarded a positive feedback.

jeffcbay · June 15, 2011 12:27AM

<< You could also contact the seller directly and bypass Ebay and get a 10-15% discount but you won't be awarded a positive feedback. >>

...or the buyer protection.

CrazyMind2017 · June 15, 2011 2:30AM

<< ...or the buyer protection. >>

MYTH! PayPal and your credit card issuer provide protection. EBAY is only a venue!

dontippet · June 15, 2011 3:24AM

The main action we can take is to gobble up everything on ebay that you want today. Then wait out the holding period. Obviously, ebay is going to see if their sales are down in July, August, and September. If they are down, then they will probably reinstate the rebate programs. If you lower your shopping during these months, then you will be sending ebay a message. I religiously calculate the money I can save (ebay bucks, bigcrumbs, credit card, etc...) and the missing 2% will probably make a big difference.

CrazyMind2017 · June 15, 2011 7:09AM

Dear Scott,

eBay has decided to take a temporary break from companies offering any type of reward or incentive, including donations. As of 6/16/11, eBay is suspending their participation in iGive as part of a marketing test. We hope that eBay will return to iGive soon, but don't expect them back before October.

Here's something you can do to help ensure eBay's return:
Don't shop at eBay during their temporary break. You have options when it comes to shopping--just choose any of the 900+ stores in the iGive network and continue donating to The Critter Connection, Inc..

F U EBAY!!!!!!!!!!!

brendanb438 · June 20, 2011 11:50AM

BUMP.

So in my laziness of not closing out my Mr Rebates window/eBay I have been getting cashback still. So far 3 auctions worth with one even from yesterday.

I would suggest if anyone else still has a window open to continue buying off eBay you may get your cashback still. Curious if anyone else is still getting cashback. Mr Rebates officially was shutoff from eBay on the 15th.

Just in case a screen shot of my last couple days.

frz · June 27, 2011 8:38AM

You may find the workaround posted on this thread interesting:

http://forums.collectors.com/messageview.cfm?catid=26&threadid=820495&STARTPAGE=2

BigCrumbs Cash Back Program Suspended on eBay

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