I purchased an HP laptop 3 mos ago via live CashBack, and earned ~$33.xx CashBack. Recently when I checked in to the account, to my surprise the balance became $0. Per live website the $33.xx Cash Back was canceled due to "product was returned". There was also an email from them saying that the vendor reported to them that the product was returned and therefore they canceled my CashBack - but I never returned that laptop! In fact I was pretty happy with that laptop and never even contacted HP after I received it. As a side evidence, the order status on HP website is still "shipped". I emailed live CashBack and requested an investigation. They asked for the order confirmation and I forwarded it to them. Then in two hours they emailed me back saying the my purchase was not qualified for the CashBack due to HP's promotion ($300 off $999+) applied in my purchase and refused any further investigation.
To me this is a SCAM. If you canceled a CashBack because "product was returned" and the product was never returned, that itself justified an investigation. The fact that they only looked at the order confirmation and judged it disqualified for CashBack and refused any further investigation, to me, contradicts with their reason of CashBack cancellation. Their customer service is unprofessional. I am learning my lesson and will stay with fatwallet and never shop via the live site again.
Jessie6 said: I emailed live CashBack and requested an investigation. They asked for the order confirmation and I forwarded it to them. Then in two hours they emailed me back saying the my purchase was not qualified for the CashBack due to HP's promotion ($300 off $999+) applied in my purchase and refused any further investigation.
You can see why you didn't get CashBackhere. Section 17 item G. You will not earn CashBack rewards on purchases where (g) you also use a separate discount or coupon.
yimny
New Member
posted: Oct. 18, 2008 @ 1:21p
I think it is a scam... I created a new live.com account and accessed JR.com via the CashBack page having logged on with the new account. Now Microsoft says they don't have any record of the purchase. I just got robbed of $200+ of my money and I am really upset! This is the first I ever got robbed of my hard money on the Internet and Microsoft among all companies did it!
yimny
New Member
posted: Oct. 18, 2008 @ 1:21p
I think it is a scam... I created a new live.com account and accessed JR.com via the CashBack page having logged on with the new account. Now Microsoft says they don't have any record of the purchase. I just got robbed of $200+ of my money and I am really upset! This is the first I ever got robbed of my hard money on the Internet and Microsoft among all companies did it!
daluvdr
New Member
posted: Oct. 19, 2008 @ 12:44a
Just be patient. If $200 is worth your time then follow-up with vendor and Microsoft. So far I made 3 purchases on eBay via Paypal and all three appeared on the CashBack summary. One was later remove because the seller refunded my $ since product no longer available. It does state that it takes up to 2 days to appear, even so , you still have to wait 60-90 days before those CashBack funds are available to you. Just my 2 cents.
It's not a scam. I have received over $300 in cash from this. I had a similar situation with a sale being canceled because it was "returned". I emailed the Microsoft Live Search support people & they had me send them copies of the invoices & the FedEx tracking numbers. That was all it took. Within 2 days, the Cash Back appeared on my account again & a few weeks later, I requested a check & it was mailed. The amount that had been canceled was almost $200, so I was pretty ticked when it was taken off my account. But the support people were very helpful & all is well.
They have a great thing going with eBay now - you search for an item on live.com & then go to the eBay results & you get 30% back if you pay with PayPal. I'm going for it big time. If I wasn't a believer, I wouldn't be buying.
I made two purchases eligible for Live CashBack. The first CashBack should be available for disbursement to my Paypal account in 3 days, the second, an eBay purchase has not shown up and it has been 10 days. I contacted MS by e-mail on the third day, and provided some additional information that they requested. Then nothing - no response to a few e-mails asking for an update. I then went into a chat session, supplied some additional information, and I'm still waiting. The second Cashbask is about $200, so I'll be pissed if my account isn't credited. Also, I used no coupons and did everything by the book. I still have the items and have no desire to resell.
The bottom line is there is a risk involved in using CashBack.
I jumped on this bandwagon late in the game, but have accumulated more than $200 in CashBack in eBay holiday purchases. It is hard to believe that Microsoft will stiff legitimate consumers, as it will open them and eBay to a class action lawsuit, and the blood sucking ambulance chasers I mean lawyers will line up to get in to their deep pockets. That said, those in the grey areas may ened up getting burned.
Like anything else - keep good records, be patient, persistent, business-like and respectful, and it will all work out in the end.
wuz73
New Member
posted: Nov. 8, 2008 @ 11:44a
It is a scam! I made a purchase on eBay in June and requested money on 9/5/08, and today is 11/8/08 and I still haven't received my money. I have emailed and chatted with more than 15 agents as well as the manager of the CashBack customer support (Ron. E), but to my very disappointment, they keep asking me to wait and wait, saying that they have a lot of issues with CashBack. If that's true, then you can see the problem immediately -- why would there be a lot of issues?
In a separate instance, I made another purchase from B&H photos in Aug and requested my money on 10/14/08, but again nothing happens after that. I emailed customer support 5 times, but there's no response at all except the automatic ones.
wuz73
New Member
posted: Nov. 8, 2008 @ 11:44a
It is a scam! I made a purchase on eBay in June and requested money on 9/5/08, and today is 11/8/08 and I still haven't received my money. I have emailed and chatted with more than 15 agents as well as the manager of the CashBack customer support (Ron. E), but to my very disappointment, they keep asking me to wait and wait, saying that they have a lot of issues with CashBack. If that's true, then you can see the problem immediately -- why would there be a lot of issues?
In a separate instance, I made another purchase from B&H photos in Aug and requested my money on 10/14/08, but again nothing happens after that. I emailed customer support 5 times, but there's no response at all except the automatic ones.
xmt11
Frivolous Member
posted: Nov. 11, 2008 @ 9:35a
What's with all these new members with the same avatar posting two messages at a time saying it's a scam?
I made 3 purchases through msn live and 2/3 were reported cancelled/returned by B&N. I protested, MSN live reinstated and then removed when B&N once again reported cancelled/returned. I think it does not have customer service in mind.
Alabamagal
Member
posted: Nov. 25, 2008 @ 12:48a
Microsoft denied my CashBack saying "it appears that you have acquired the goods and services for resale or other business purposes."
This simply isn't true. Anyone who looks through my other CashBack items would see these items were for personal use. I've written them to ask for an explanation and they haven't responded and it's been a month. The item in question was a bookcase and it was delivered to my residence.
Does anyone have a phone number or some other email address except cashbk@microsoft.com and cashteam@microsoft.com?
People I would be VERY careful of "Living" off CashBack, what I mean by that is it's tempting to do EVERYTHING with CashBack, for the 25% off. For example like going to a particular restaurant, why not buy a $500 Gift Cert. Shopping for a new TV get a Best Buy gift Cert. Buy gas/food from WalMart get a $2000 gift cert. Want to buy Gold or Silver at below Market Prices, all of this is PERFECTLY legal and violates no TOS but is likely to get your account at the least flagged for review.if not turned down completely. The reason it looks suspicious is it makes you look like a business or reseller, also if you do LARGE transactions with the same reseller it looks like you are colluding.Basically the problem is this promo is unlimited and because of that is "set up" for abuse, I mean why not buy your home heating oil on eBay, and get 25% off. I am surprised their aren't professionals like Doctors/Dentists on eBay offering their services at full price, but with a 25% Cash Back
I was also hit with the "product returned, exchanged, or canceled" issue through Live.com CashBack. My purchase was on 8/31/08 and the "return" occurred on 10/2/08. MSFT claims that it is a computer issue. I have an open support ticket and they occasionally send me emails saying that they're working on it.
If anybody else has been hit with the product "returned, exchanged, or canceled' issue, was it also on or around 10/2/08 that the return occurred?
drdaveg
New Member
posted: Dec. 1, 2008 @ 12:16p
I can't agree more with the notion that Live.com is a scam. I purchased a laptop in HP's BF sale and have had nothing but headache - after 11 emails - with Live.com and HP. I plan to issue a return to sender and chargeback - and I LOVE HP!
platypus
Member
posted: Dec. 1, 2008 @ 1:00p
I bought 4 items on eBay from 10/18 - 10/24 & they still show in my CashBack account as "pending" and have about 2 weeks left before the cash becomes available. Unless something strange happens, I'll be getting $102 back from MSN Live, so at this point I still have to say it's not a scam. I plan on using live search quite a bit over the next few weeks. Good luck to those of you who are still experiencing problems. Just keep contacting them!!!
platypus
Member
posted: Dec. 1, 2008 @ 1:01p
Edit: My post showed up twice - sorry about that!
platypus
Member
posted: Dec. 5, 2008 @ 2:19p
I just bought something on eBay today, and my live.com CashBack was posted immediately to my PayPal account! It's down to 15% today, which I wasn't too happy about, but at least there's no way anyone can claim it's a scam anymore. I like not having to wait 60 days to get the cash!! Hopefully, the CashBack will go up to 20% or 30% again soon... Then I'll really be buying!
ny10292
New Member
posted: Dec. 6, 2008 @ 5:47p
I bought tv stand at tvstands.com and suppose to have Cash Back of 25%. Microsoft gave me only 15%. I filed a dispute and got an acknowledgment from them, and never heard back since. It's been 2 months since my purchase.
kendrid
New Member
posted: Dec. 7, 2008 @ 4:12p
I've purchased 10 items, most of them at 30% off and I've received all of my money just fine. While their support might not be great it isn't a scam.
Not a scam just poorly done and the terms and limitations are poorly enforced and worded (as with the OPs HP deal -- it is clear that the HP incentives which require no coupon yet show up on the receipt should not be used to disqualify purchases). Be careful is all I can say and may the luck be with you.
rcglfr
Member
posted: Dec. 7, 2008 @ 6:30p
I made several purchases over two weeks ago that still do not show up in my CashBack account. Have contacted live.com via email (the only way I know of to contact them) several times and have never received one response from them! I am disgusted with the horrible support that has been provided for this CashBack promotion. Just another reason to hate Microsoft!
Ifoundu
Senior Member
posted: Dec. 10, 2008 @ 12:20p
MSCB looks like a good thing till it gets to you, like many other evil things.
Ifoundu said: MSCB looks like a good thing till it gets to you, like many other evil things.
-Another victim here
Yeah, two orders that I went through them for (no coupons) haven't shown up and they won't answer my emails.
BigDaddyStu
New Member
posted: Dec. 10, 2008 @ 1:41p
So, if someone goes through LiveCash and then uses another store coupon (say the Circuit City Entertainment Book or AAA one) - it will most likely nullify your LiveCash? Will it also cancel your Entertainment book or AAA discount too? Thanks for your help.
Dillsnik
New Member
posted: Dec. 11, 2008 @ 9:03a
Erick13 said: You can see why you didn't get CashBackhere. Section 17 item G. You will not earn CashBack rewards on purchases where (g) you also use a separate discount or coupon.
Oh man!! i used eBay's 10% off coupon to buy tires for like $500!! does that mean they are going to deny my CashBack!!??
That sucks!!!
sharl
Cranky Member
posted: Dec. 11, 2008 @ 10:53a
BigDaddyStu said: So, if someone goes through LiveCash and then uses another store coupon (say the Circuit City Entertainment Book or AAA one) - it will most likely nullify your LiveCash? Will it also cancel your Entertainment book or AAA discount too? Thanks for your help. Welcome to Fatwallet. As FW'er Erick13 was kind enough to point out in this very thread (he even included a direct link!), the terms and conditions of Live Search CashBack will most likely nullify the CashBack discount if you use other discount codes on the purchase.
I had some correspondence with them about the CashBack credit showing up in my account and I found them to be responsive and sentient, so maybe I was just lucky. They solved my problem, too.
The question about whether the CashBack is nullified if a website's additional discount is automatically applied at checkout is something I would ask before purchasing, because that seems like a sneaky way for HP to get out of granting the Livesearch discount they are supposedly sponsoring. Sounds like they hike up the price by $30, then "generously" give you an automatic discount of $30 at checkout that you cannot opt out of, and then you can't get the Live Search CashBack - that seems more than unfair.
If the customer adds the discount code, I can understand that it would nullify the CashBack, but if the merchant adds the discount automatically and the customer has no choice to opt out, then it's not really a "discount code," it's just the bottom-line price the merchant is actually charging at checkout. If it were an amount significant enough to make me consider whether or not to purchase, I'd make sure to clarify the issue with Microsoft's Live Search before pulling the trigger, and getting the decision in writing.
Additionally, I'd recommend keeping good records of shopping experiences - I keep a screenshot of the screen that acknowledges that CashBack will be applied to any purchases made during the shopping session, that comes up when you are signed in to Live Search and click on a merchant link.
platypus
Member
posted: Dec. 11, 2008 @ 11:36a
Dillsnik said: Erick13 said: You can see why you didn't get CashBackhere. Section 17 item G. You will not earn CashBack rewards on purchases where (g) you also use a separate discount or coupon.
Oh man!! i used eBay's 10% off coupon to buy tires for like $500!! does that mean they are going to deny my CashBack!!??
That sucks!!!
I had a 15% coupon from eBay that I was trying to use in conjunction with the live.com CashBack & it wouldn't let me use both. The coupon was applied, but the little green box with the live.com savings amount would disappear.
If the CashBack info was shown on the page when you checked out on eBay (and hopefully you got the follow-up email from them) and you were able to use the eBay coupon, you might be OK! Hopefully you kept a screen shot, like was suggested above. I do that, too.
PoohBah said: I was also hit with the "product returned, exchanged, or canceled" issue through Live.com CashBack. My purchase was on 8/31/08 and the "return" occurred on 10/2/08. MSFT claims that it is a computer issue. I have an open support ticket and they occasionally send me emails saying that they're working on it.
If anybody else has been hit with the product "returned, exchanged, or canceled' issue, was it also on or around 10/2/08 that the return occurred?
I'm curious about whether this was resolved. Most of mine were due to be paid this week. Suddenly MS is claiming that the items were returned a couple of weeks ago. I followed all the T&C and there were no returns/exchanges/adjustments/etc.
Not only that but I got ripped off buying gift cards on eBay. The Paypal police weren't smart enough to distinguish between two different transactions and claim that their decision is binding. Now I have to decide whether it's worth the hassle of a chargeback through my credit card.
I do hope someone on FW made out on this deal since MS is pretty evil. I'd really love to hear what percentage of legitimate transactions MS actually pays the CashBack on. Maybe we could do a poll.
muffyduffy
New Member
posted: Dec. 22, 2008 @ 3:30p
You can check my IP. I am not the same person who has posted above, and this is just the avatar they give you.
I used CashBack and did not get my money. I followed all the terms of service (created my account before I ordered, used "buy it now", etc). However, my account disappeared after a month. It finally miraculously showed back up a week later, but there is no money showed as being owed. I have spoken to customer service, and they just don't know what happened. There must have been a computer glitch, as they have no record of my purchase. It's like all information previously in my account was erased. Funny how that happens...
At least I'm only out $40, but I could have bought the same thing on Amazon for less since I didn't get the rebate.
Any changes in anybody's situation? My 25% CashBack is still zero, but they keep telling me that they're working on it.
blued888
Happy Member
posted: Jan. 8, 2009 @ 10:27p
Recently received $300 in my PayPal via eBay Live.com CashBack from purchases made October 2008. Took more than 14 days though. Requested December 21st of 2008 and just received the amount in PayPal today.
Hopefully, all will go well because I'm still waiting $900 more. I can definitely say that Live.com CashBack is not a scam, you just have to be patient and follow the terms and conditions properly.
dealahoy said: How do I fight this -- CashBack for my HP laptop is cancelled - marked as product returned! Welcome to the "product returned" club. Just email the support and ask nicely for your money. Keep/find all proof that you have. My own requests for the money they owe me are several months old.
here's my latest reply from M$:
Hello,
I apologize for the extended delay in getting back with you. As of right now we have yet to resolve the percentage discrepancy issue. We are continuing to research the issue and will keep you posted. I am very sorry for the amount of time it has taken to resolve this issue and we greatly appreciate your continued patience regarding this matter.
I'm glad to find out that I'm not the only one who's suffering from this Live.com CashBack scam. I made a purchase through eBay last November 2008 and had not received the 80-something CashBack until now. I had a confirmation email from eBay saying that I received the CashBack. I clicked through everything and waited for days, but nothing happened. I had been contacting the customer service 20+ times and all I got is to ask me waiting patiently until their 'technical problem' is being solved. And today I got another useless reply saying that
'eBay has updated us on the status of your case. They have told us that there was a problem with the payment for this item and you should contact PayPal to sort this out. This is all of the information they gave us and we have no further details.If you have any other questions please feel free to contact us.'
The purchase was made three months ago. The seller had received the money. I do not understand what they actually mean by the problem with payment (cos if there's any such problem, the eBay seller who may not receive the money for his item should be the first one to complain about it!!). Besides, in the fine print, it stated clearly that it is Live Search that take care of all the problem with CashBack, and eBay and Paypal are exempted from any responsibility. They are just running away from their responsibility.
You think Microsoft is a big company and they should be doing this carefully right? If they don't have the technical ability to handle all these stuff, they should not use CashBack as the gimmick to get customer use their search engine and click through their websites to make any purchase, and make profit from advertisement etc from the increase traffic from their website. I think this is a totally a scam and intended to cheat customers. I am so sad that no one is monitoring this.
One more thing, I had no problem getting my smaller amount CashBack (around $30), but this one with larger amount (more than $80) had never shown up.
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