May 2007 Archives

eCost is giving away a limited number of 1GB Nexus MP3 players! As far as I can tell, there's no catch involved, except that you need to mail in a rebate form.

According to the description, this player

• Receives LIVE XM radio when docked in the home cradle or optional car cradle with connected antenna and XM Service
• Live XM When Docked 50 Hours of Storage Compatible with XM + Napster Home Dock
• Included Built-in Wireless FM Transmitter

You'd better hurry! We just posted this on the Breaking Deals page, so they'll be sold out soon!

Honestly, who doesn't love free stuff? The Body Shop is currently offering a free gift (A $32 value) when you spend $55 or more. It includes mouthwatering Pink Grapefruit Body Butter and Shower Gel, Aloe Soothing Day Cream, and Hi-Shine Lip Treatment in Red Gleam. Summer's here, so your skin had better glow in that sundress...or tankini!

Speaking of tankinis (how's that for a smooth segue?) Gap has reduced their Essential Tankinis to just $24.99, with the exception of the "spanish olive" color which is just $24.38. As all women know, these are the saving grace of swimwear season. Lying somewhere between string bikini and skirted tank, tankinis are never dowdy, a little sporty, and always flattering.

A preview from Monday's Top Picks newsletter:

Forget your outdated handheld and upgrade to the ultra-mobile, time-saving Treo 750! Through June 2nd only, you can score the world-renowned Palm Treo smartphone for just $299 when you sign up for a new voice plan! This sleek, soft-touch mobile combines a world GSM phone, email, broadband wireless, and Windows Mobile. You can access corporate data, edit business documents, check your Outlook email, Calendar and Tasks! Enjoy the elegant, seamless functionality on the Palm-enhanced Windows Mobile platform. Remember- this offer expires on June 2nd, so you'd better hurry!

Looking for the perfect party frock for a summer soirée? Don't be fooled by the springy name of this crisp, cotton dress- you'll want to wear it all summer long! Layer it over Citizens of Humanity jeans for a breezy beach bonfire, or pair with Old Navy's $3.50 flip flops at your next barbecue (just remember to grab a napkin!). Featuring stitch details, a hidden zip-up, and removable neck ties, this embroidered eyelet dress is 100% super soft cotton- the most breathable fabric for the summer season. Don't forget to add a splash of this season's hottest color. Slip into these lemon-yellow Chinese Laundry wedges, now 20% off at Piperlime!

 

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I was browsing around for Breaking Deals products when I stumbled upon something so cool I found myself punching in my Mastercard number faster than 16 million twelve-year-old girls collectively  dialing "08" for Blake Lewis.

Can you guess what it is? Here, I'll help:

a. a blender
b. a miniature water cooler
c. a beer keg for hobbits
d. none of the above

Dads are notoriously one of the most hard-to-shop-for people, so why not make it easy by visiting the Father's Day "Treat Dad and Keep the Cash" page at Ebates?

He's your hero, friend and all-around favorite guy. Celebrate Dad's special day with exclusive offers on his favorite gifts at Ebates!  Inspire his inner handyman with gardening gear or home renovation tools from Home Depot, score points with sporting goods and fitness gear at Cabela's,  or splurge on tech toys and  home essentials at Sears! Help Dad look sharp in some new threads from Eddie Bauer, or if he's got a sweet tooth, treat him to gourmet popcorn fit for a king from Dale & Thomas. Remember what a wise man once told you about money and trees? Save a little green and start your Father's Day shopping at Ebates!

Tuesday was a big day here at Ebates- we just launched our hottest feature since Double Cash Back Tuesday: The Ebates Daily Double!

How does it work? Simple. Every day, we double the Cash Back at one of our most popular stores. It's basically the same idea as Double Cash Back Tuesday but everyday, and at a different store. Since Tuesday, we have featured Bloomingdale's, Newegg and Budget Rent A Car! I recently got a sneak preview of some of the soon-to-be featured stores, and trust me- they're good. There will definitely be a little something for everyone.

• Why did you choose the compact and earrings as bridesmaid gifts? I chose those items because they fit with the Art Deco/ retro theme and were not too expensive. I also knew that my five bridesmaids would be able to use these items in the future and I wanted to get them something personalized.

• How much did you save? I spent a total of $84.75 on five engraved compacts from HansonEllis Wedding Favors, plus I earned 6% Cash Back ($5.08) from Ebates. The five pairs of pearl earrings were from JC Penney and i spent $59.95. I earned 4% Cash Back ($2.39) from Ebates. I also bought cute faux pearl stud earrings for my flower girls that were just $9.99 at JC Penney.

• Did the items look like you expected they would (quality, etc)? The earrings and compact both looked great in person.  I made sure that I was getting what I paid for. I wasn't trying to be dirt cheap, but I honestly think that I spent my budget wisely for the amount that I had put aside per girl.

Visit Ebates' Flowers and Gifts category to get more ideas for bridesmaids gifts. You can find great personalized gifts at stores like Red Envelope, Ross-Simmons, HansonEllis Wedding Favors and more.

Depending on the likes and interests of your bridesmaids, other great gift ideas include a pink leather engraved flask for $28.95, a $19.95 personalized tote bag or a leather photo album for $24.95. Oftentimes, engraving is free of charge, but be sure to double check.

Ever wonder what millions of dollars of Cash Back looks like?

If you earned Cash Back between the dates of January 1st and March 31st, you should be receiving a Big Fat Check within the next few days...that is, if you have your Account Profile updated with your current address (or Paypal information). Sad but true, some Ebates users don't receive their Big Fat Checks on time because we don't know where to send them! So please, visit your Account Profile and make sure everything is up to date. If it isn't, your Cash Back will roll over into next quarter, and you will receive a Big Fat Check shortly after August 15th.

For your viewing pleasure, here are a couple more photos of our Big Fat Checks in action. Thank goodness for freight elevators.

Starting today, Ebates users can earn Cash Back at one of our most popular stores: Wal-Mart! Their prices are always incredibly low, but on top of that, Ebates gives users 4% Cash Back! Hey, it adds up- especially when you make big purchases!

For those of you who prefer to spend your money on ecologically sustainable goods, you know just how expensive they can be when compared to their toxic, non-green alternatives. Not anymore! Wal-Mart recently launched an Earth-Friendly line of apparel and household items- combine that with 4% Cash Back and you've got an unbeatable deal. Here are some of their best green deals I discussed in a recent newsletter:

Go green and save green! Simply replace your regular light bulbs with those from GE Energy Smart. Depending on the bulb, you can save up to $130 in energy costs! Read Wal-Mart's product description to see exactly how much you'll save with each eco-friendly bulb. Think organic equals expensive? Think again! Look sustainably stylish in organic cotton tees starting at just $6.22 for kids and $7.88 for adults! At most stores, shirts like these are more than $30! Organic cotton baby coveralls are reduced to just $6.00-  there's no gentler fabric for your baby's sensitive skin! Check the clearance section for silky-soft Eco-Organic cotton sheet sets, now almost 20% off! Don't miss out on Energy Efficient appliances like the Haier Front-Load Washer for just $288.87. Watch your energy use drop while your savings grow!

Distar, Ebates user and blogger-extraordinaire, recently posted this blog entry about artificial self-tanning. She linked to recent New York Times article "Beware the Afterglow" which explores this ultra-fashionable (and questionably healthful) practice. A doctor is quoted in the article:

Even though a tan is now associated with pathology, it has had such a profound impact on the American psyche that to be untan is to look as terribly uncool as an unplucked chicken,” said Dr. Jablonski of Penn State. “People tend to think they look healthier if they have some sort of glow on their cheeks.

Readers, you tell me: Is it better to keep your pale skin au naturale, or is a little glow essential for summer skin?

Shopping around for a last-minute Mother's Day gift? If your mama prefers computers to crochet, check out these tech gifts she'll love- perfect for the mom who'd rather get a BlackBerry than a boring bouquet!

• Creative Zen V Plus in Pink. Part of the proceeds from this ultra-tiny mp3, photo and video player go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, a group close to the hearts of many women. From just $84.99 at J&R.


• Mobile Edge Milano Laptop Bag. Whether she's dashing off to the boardroom, classroom or Starbucks, she wants to tote her gear in style. This super-chic faux-croc bag will protect her computer and keep her organized. From just $69.96 at QVC. Also try a luxe Jack Georges laptop bag-  the perfect pick for the techie-fashionista. From just $244.95 at LuggageOnline.


• BlackBerry Pearl in Red. With this super-popular smartphone,  she can stay in touch via  phone, email, text messaging (SMS and MMS), and instant messaging.

Visit our just-launched Breaking Deals page for the lastest markdowns from our stores, including more tech gear!

Have you found any cool tech gifts for mom?

Today only, earn Double Cash Back at Lucky Brand Jeans!

Anyone who's ever owned a pair of jeans knows how hard it can be to find the perfect fit in denim. Often, two seemingly identical pairs can look quite different once you're actually wearing them.

Oh, and finding the perfect length? That's a whole other story. Anyone under 5'7" knows the unending ritual of folding, pinning, and (in the unlikely event that you ever get around to it) tailoring your jeans to a comfortable length. Lucky is the answer to your inseam woes, whether you're five feet tall or wishing you had a little less leg. Check our their page of Hard to Find Lengths and shop for short, long and extra long inseams.

Readers, where do you shop for the perfect pair of jeans?

A sneak peek from next week's Top Picks newsletter:

Ultra-Light and Portable for On-The-Go Professionals: Snag the HP Centrino Now for 50% off!

At just 4.9 pounds, the HP nc6220 Centrino PM is the ultimate notebook for those working on-the-go. Swap your Multibay II Optical Drive with a lighter drive and enjoy optimal travel weight! Don't be weighed down with heavy laptops and bulky drives- buy the Centrino now and make business travel a breeze! PC Connection has just reduced this sleek, powerful $1499 notebook to only $769.95. With 1% Cash Back at Ebates, that's 50% off the original price! Not only a great choice for individual users, this cash-saver would be the perfect pick for company-wide deployment. Not only will you save an incredible 50% on this sleek, stylish PC, you get Free Shipping through May 31st at PC Connection. For other super-low deals on PC laptops, try our other popular Computer stores like Newegg, Buy.com, Circuit City and Best Buy.

Find hundreds of unbeatable offers now in our Computer Stores category!

We definitely need to purchase some baby gates. We not only have stairs, but also a Bulldog that is very nosey. Is there a particular brand that is better or easier to go from room-to-room with? Is plastic or wood better?

Anna: I've heard that the pressure gates aren’t as safe as the ones you actually drill into the walls. 

Bryan: I don’t like the wood ones I think the plastic ones that screws into the wall and pressure fit into the opening are great they usually come with a swing arm so you don’t have to completely remove the gate (or try to jump over) to get through.

No matter what kind you prefer, there are hundreds of great deals on baby gates through Ebates. This Evenflo Safety Gate is just $79.99 at J.C. Penney. It mounts to the wall and swings open (so you won't have to attempt any gymnastics to pass over it). You can find pressure mounted plastic gates starting at only $12.56.

Readers, what kind of baby gates have you found to be the safest and most convenient for your children (or even pets)?

Today only, earn 8% Cash Back at Coldwater Creek. This is a great place to shop for Mother's Day gifts (or for yourself!) because you get free shipping on orders of $150 or more with code FREESHIP at checkout!

Be sure to visit their Outlet page. All items are marked 50% off or more, and much of it is perfect for warm weather.

For regular priced clothing, certain items are discounted when you buy more than one, including:

• Snap-Front Shirt $59.00 or two or more for $49.95 each. The crisp, white shirt is a wardrobe staple and this one fits the bill perfectly.
  
• Cropped Drawstring Pants $49.00 or two or more for $39.95 each. Soft, breathable, linen...what more could you want for summer?

Also check out their Home & Gift items, including cosmetics, jewelry and all you need to cozify your nest!