Posted on

Holiday Travel Tips: 4 Hot Holiday Destinations

Orlando Florida SkylineEvery year, the travel industry sees a surge in travel around the holidays. Whether it’s to visit family, stay slope slide or to escape winter and take in a warm breeze for a change, people are packing their bags and hitting the road. Plus, more and more people are trading in the traditional family gatherings for something a little less conventional and a bit more exciting.

If you’re looking to shake things up this holiday season and find a destination beyond the same ol’ dinner table, have no fear. There are plenty of last minute travel destinations you can visit with (or without) your family this Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. To round out the end of the year and bring in the next, we have a few suggestions for your big travel plans, all of which can earn you Cash Back at Ebates.

ftlauderdaleFort Lauderdale

Trade in the winter blues with a good dose of Vitamin D on the beaches of Fort Lauderdale. Get there for less with a flight from Virgin America and then book with Hotels.com to save on the hottest beachfront hotels. Sip mojitos by the beach or keep it poolside at what is sure to become your new favorite spot. Or book a vacation package from Expedia and settle your toes comfortably into the sand knowing you’re saving money and living it up.

Orlando morningOrlando

If you’re looking to keep your travel companions entertained and catch some rays, Orlando has plenty to offer. This travel destination is known as an entertainment hotspot. Universal Studios, Disney World and SeaWorld are just some of the big name locations you can visit during your stay. Best of Orlando has you covered for deals on your Orlando attractions and shows, as well as hotel savings. You can even lock in last minute travel deals on vacation packages through Priceline.

losangelesLos Angeles

Take your vacation to the west cost with this year’s hottest travel destination: Los Angeles. The City of Angels offers similar attractions like Disneyland and Universal Studios, but also boasts a few of its own like the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Santa Monica Pier. Travel sites like Travelocity and Expedia can get you to your Los Angeles oasis with extra savings in your pocket to enjoy them.

Denver downtown Denver

Turns out, not everyone wants to escape the Winter Wonderland once it gets cold. If you’re itching to hit the slopes, the decision to travel to Denver could end up saving you some money on your last minute travel as well. Orbitz awards the biggest savings on holiday travel this year to the Mile High City. Hotels and airfare are both seeing significant savings, especially with the help of travel sites like CheapTickets and CheapOair. The last minute travel deals mean you can enjoy more wintertime activities that Denver has to offer. Just remember to stock up on winter apparel before you hit the slopes so you can stay warm, comfortable and stylish throughout all your travels.

Whether you’re flying solo or bringing the whole gang, turn to Ebates for additional savings on vacation packages and last minute travel deals to your sunny or snowy destination. Choose from the season’s hottest travel destinations or select your own unique destination, just be sure to head to Ebates first to get the best savings around.

 

 

 

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

Posted on

Small Business Saturday Stores

sbsheaderAh, November, the month of best intentions. This is the year you’re going to get to the specialty stores early and get everyone sentimental gifts! But more often than not, all of the sudden it’s the third week of December and you find yourself at the grocery store at 11 p.m., frantically grabbing gift cards to restaurants you hope the recipients have in their town. Luckily, Small Business Saturday exists to help you save time and stress, and with more small specialty businesses participating, it’s easy to keep “sentiment” on your shopping list.

Small Business Saturday - Ebates

Handmade Gifts

Whether it’s a hand-carved puffin necklace for your bird-enthusiast cousin or crocheted toilet paper from your feisty Nana who likes a good joke, there are several companies that help artists and crafters sell their goods. Each individual seller sets his or her own Small Business Saturday discount, but most participate. Of these companies, Etsy is your first stop when it comes to finding original gifts. With more than 12.3 million products available, it has something for everyone. Another great resource for handmade goods by individual merchants is DaWanda. This company is based in Germany, so keep in mind that shipping could take a little longer if you’re in the United States. Zibbet is holding its own as well, and though it only has 145,000 products listed, its sellers offer unique merchandise. Bonanza has “everything but the ordinary” and is featured right here at Ebates. This site is a great place to find limited and vintage products. Finally, while significantly smaller than the aforementioned companies, iCraft sets itself apart by requiring all merchandise to be handmade.

Geeky T-shirts

Being a “geek” or a “nerd” has been cool for a while now, and wearing your “nerdy” interests on clever T-shirts is not only accepted in some circles but recommended. The Internet has you covered when you’re looking for gifts that feature the specific interests of your quirky friends and family. ThinkGeek is a fantastic nerd-friendly company that has great apparel, accessories, and gifts. Geeks Are Sexy is another great stop for non-mainstream T-shirts; like Etsy, Geeks Are Sexy supports individual sellers who create their own Small Business Saturday deals. You can find discounts to Zazzle throughout the year at Ebates. This site lets you personalize and customize apparel, and has terrific Small Business Saturday deals. Lastly, Busted Tees is a great, affordable place to grab clever apparel. It not only participates in Small Business Saturday but usually has ongoing deals where the more you buy, the more you save.

boardgamesBoard Games

Board games are not just a great holiday gift; they can also help create family traditions if you get a new game to play together as a family every year. Each year offers tons of new games to choose from. Boardgaming.com lists stores with new and unique games, and directs you to its individual sites, many of which have Small Business Saturday discounts. Boardgamesforme.com is a must for anyone uncertain about what games to get. This site not only offers a daily discount on various games but also has a questionnaire to help you find a game that’s just right for you. If you’re nostalgic and have a soft spot for the games you played as a kid, eBay is a great resource. Ebates offers many discounts, as do individual sellers, so you can find some great Small Business Saturday markdowns.

Jewelry

Whether you’re shopping on a budget or shopping for someone who likes interesting and unique jewelry, small-shop jewelry makers are the way to go. BaubleBar is a favorite for jewelry lovers because the accessories are unique and the prices are reasonable even before the Small Business Saturday discount. Bluefly, as seen on Ebates, has some of the best designer discounts in clothes and shoes, as well as a strong jewelry department. Uncommon Goods has some great, unique gifts for everyone in your family, but its jewelry is particularly interesting. And finally, By Boe is another small jewelry site that offers beautiful and unique jewelry with the added karma bonus being 5% of purchases goes to Women for Women, a charity that helps female survivors of war.

Although “it’s the thought that counts” is an old adage, it still rings true today. Don’t let yourself get bogged down with the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Take advantage of these great novelty discounts the Saturday after Thanksgiving, and bask in the stress-free knowledge that your loved ones have great and thoughtful gifts this holiday season.

 

 

 

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

Posted on

Infographic: Cyber Monday Hour by Hour

You know Cyber Monday is a huge shopping day, but do you know exactly what time you should log on to score what you’re looking for? Here’s a breakdown of the key Cyber Monday shopping trends that online shoppers have created from 2012 until the present year.

Cyber Monday Shopping Hour by Hour - Ebates

2012

  • Cyber Monday shopping peaked at 11 a.m. EST, with another strong spike at 9 p.m.
  • These peaks are most likely due to commuting patterns of people working traditional hours; they shop online while at work and again when they’re home.
  • Cyber Monday sales increased by 30.3% from 2011.
  • 18% of online shoppers used a mobile device to shop online, an increase of more than 70% from 2011.

2013

  • Like in 2012, average peak browsing time was 11 a.m. EST.
  • Afternoon browsing peaked around 1 p.m.
  • These numbers likely mean that shoppers were browsing during work hours and on their lunch breaks.
  • Use of mobile and tablet devices nearly doubled to 30% of all site traffic.

2014

  • The best deals were in the morning, with an average discount of 23%.
  • 67% of all online deals were posted before 5 p.m. EST.
  • Average peak browsing time was 9 p.m.
  • Mobile and tablet devices accounted for 41% of all site traffic. These numbers represent a move away from lunchtime laptop (or desktop) browsing and toward “at home” browsing on mobile devices in the evening.
  • Cyber Monday shopping was at its lowest at 5 p.m.

Before Cyber Monday

With more retailers offering deals on and even before Thanksgiving, we’ve seen a large uptick in pre-Cyber Monday and even pre-Black Friday shopping. So make sure you’re keeping an eye out for deals in the days leading up to Thanksgiving!

  • In 2014, mobile web shopping at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day accounted for 50% of retail traffic.
  • Also in 2014, the Monday before Thanksgiving, Nov. 24, saw a 100% year-over-year uptick in activity.

Did You Know?

  • Cyber Monday sales have increased every year since its inception in 2006.
  • Sales have grown by 14% or higher each year.
  • In 2014, Cyber Monday was recorded as the most popular shopping day of the season.
  • In 2014, retail traffic reached 13 million pageviews per minute, up 16% from 2013.

So What Should I Do?

  • Know that evening is the busiest online shopping time, so you’re competing with more shoppers and items are more likely to disappear faster.
  • If you’re shopping for a specific item, shop in the morning. You’re competing with fewer people and more items will still be in stock.
  • Shop after 10 p.m. EST on Cyber Monday if you’re just browsing or buying a variety of items. The rush will be over and retailers just may be willing to further discount items that haven’t sold.
  • Keep an eye out for deals starting the Monday before Thanksgiving — or even before. Online deals aren’t just relegated to Cyber Monday anymore!

Happy shopping!

Want to share our infographic on your site? Just copy and paste the text below!

 

Sources:
https://www.akamai.com/us/en/about/news/press/2015-press/akamai-releases-2014-online-holiday-shopping-trends-and-traffic-report.jsp
http://www.fierceretail.com/story/holiday-web-traffic-peaked-cyber-monday-2014/2015-03-30
https://blogs.akamai.com/2012/11/huge-traffic-volumes-on-black-friday.html
https://blogs.akamai.com/2015/04/black-friday-and-cyber-monday-rum-insights—part-i.html
http://dealnews.com/features/About-Half-of-Shoppers-Will-Buy-Cyber-Monday-Deals-While-at-Work/1484785.html
http://money.cnn.com/2009/12/01/news/economy/cyber_monday_shopping/

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

Posted on

The Best Cyber Monday Deals on Electronics

You won't understand, It's a technology thingOnce you’ve had your fill of turkey and dressing, it’s time to buckle in for all of the holiday deals and savings coming your way. Make this year the one that puts all others to shame with the monumental savings you’ll find at retailers all over. But if long lines and massive crowds aren’t your thing, you can shop from the comfort of your home with incredible online shopping discounts and earn Cash Back at Ebates for the upcoming Cyber Monday.

If electronics deals are at the top of your shopping list (and let’s face it, who doesn’t want the latest electronics around?!) then this guide is for you. Manned with this list of the best Cyber Monday deals around, you will reign supreme this holiday season.

laptopLaptop Deals

This year’s laptop deals are bound to be pretty spectacular. Whether you’re looking for the latest 2-in-1 laptop deals or just want to get a reliable and durable laptop, the holiday season will have plenty of Cyber Monday deals.

Your favorite big box stores, like Best Buy, Staples and OfficeMax, will feature additional savings online. But don’t shy away from the likes of Arrow Direct, where you’ll find the ultimate selection of refurbished laptops that are sure to meet the needs of anyone on your list. You can even customize your gift with a laptop from Dell or Alienware. To bring you the best laptop deals, many stores will offer bundle specials, allowing you to get even more bang for your buck.

TV Deals

Televisions are always a holiday gift hot item, but there’s no need to shop doorbuster sales when the ultimate TV deals can be found through online shopping. Get savings on everything you need for your home entertainment system this Cyber Monday.

Walmart will feature TV deals on hot names like Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Vizio, Sony and more. You’ll even find special savings on surround sound systems and wall mounting hardware so your gifting experience can go to the next level. Overstock won’t disappoint either with deals on 4K Ultra HD televisions, Curved TVs, OLED televisions and even outdoor projection equipment.

Playing video gameVideo Game Deals

Video games are always a favorite amongst kids, teens and adults alike. Whether you’re looking for a deal on a new console or the latest video games, you’ll have plenty of special offers to choose from on Cyber Monday. You’ll find savings on the season’s hottest video games, like Rainbow 6 Siege, Just Cause 3 and more. Whether you’re looking for games for portable systems like Nintendo 3DS XL or Playstation Vita, or you want to add to their arsenal of games for Playstation 4, Xbox One or Nintendo Wii U, plenty of online retailers will have great Cyber Monday deals.

You’ll find incredible savings on video games when you shop at stores like GameStop, Best Buy and CD Universe. Walmart will be sure to extend their department store savings online, so keep a close eye on savings that keep you out of the cold and the chaos.

Smart Phone Deals

Step up your smart phone game with the latest from the big names in smart phone technology. Whether it’s Android, BlackBerry or Microsoft on the wish list, you’ll find incredible savings and earn Cash Back at Ebates. Best Buy will have fantastic pricing on the latest smart phones on the market.

You can even save directly through cellular providers. You can earn Cash Back at Ebates with the biggest names including Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint and US Cellular. And don’t worry, Lifeproof and Skullcandy will be able to help you with all of the accessories you need to pair with your smart phone purchase.

WearablesWearable Electronic Deals

Wearable electronics are one of the most popular items on online shopping lists. The tech junkie on your list will get their electronic fix on the go and you’ll save with Cyber Monday electronics coupons for the latest wearable technology. Expect to find savings on smartwatches, fitness trackers, action camcorders and headphones this upcoming Cyber Monday.

The biggest brands in electronics will have plenty of sales available. Best Buy, Crutchfield and Brookstone feature the latest hot brands. Garmin, Fitbit and more will be marked down with fantastic pricing for Cyber Monday deals. Samsung and Microsoft Store will have their own devices with special savings as well.

Camera Deals

If you’re shopping for a photographer, you’re bound to find items like cameras, lenses, lighting kits and flash units on your list. Get Cyber Monday deals on the hottest camera brands like Canon and Olympus, as well as the gear to go with them.

Adorama features deals on everything from simple point and shoot cameras to the finest full frame DSLR cameras on the market. You can save hundreds on camera bodies at Focus Camera and Beach Camera where you’ll also find free shipping offers and rebate options. You can even save on popular Canon products, including bodies and lenses.

kidlaptopKids’ Deals

If kids are the top of your shopping list, there are bound to be plenty of hot electronic toys finding their way to your online shopping cart. Walmart will have plenty of Cyber Monday deals for the kiddos in your life. The Disney Store and Fisher Price will have special savings on toys for kids of all ages. Give great education gifts with Cyber Monday deals from Fat Brain Toys and Marbles: The Brain Store. Turn their special gifts into an educational experience that will brighten their day and lead to hours of entertainment.

Big Kids/Adult Deals

Adults love getting their hands on the latest gadgets and gizmos, just like the kids. Shop for the big kid at heart on your list and save with Cyber Monday electronics coupons. Whether you’re shopping for your spouse, your sibling or your parent, you’re bound to find exactly what you need at unbeatable prices.

Best Buy never disappoints with their great selection of Cyber Monday electronic deals. You’ll find savings on items like GPS navigation devices, Bluetooth speakers, KitchenAid mixers and more. Their deals go quickly though, so be sure to check their list of daily deals regularly throughout the day to get the best savings.

Give the gift of an amped up sound system with audio equipment from Crutchfield or find the latest tech innovations at Brookstone. Whatever the upgrade, big or small, great Cyber Monday deals are to be had.

If you have your heart set on a special item for someone, keep an eye out for the best Cyber Monday electronics coupons to pair with incredible daily deals. When you earn additional savings with Cash Back at Ebates, you’ll find the best Cyber Monday deals and save the most money.

Posted on

Infographic: The Hottest Gifts of 2015

The holiday shopping season is upon us, and with it comes a whole set of questions. What are the hottest gifts? Who’s buying what for whom, and who’s hardest to shop for? The results of Ebates’ 2015 holiday survey are in. Here’s what we found out:

Ebates Hottest Gifts 2015

 

What Adults Want vs. What Teens Want

  • Clothing or shoes: 69% of adults vs. 68% of teens
  • Laptop: 35% of adults vs. 33% of teens
  • iPhone or Samsung Galaxy: 35% of adults and 35% of teens
  • Vacation: 32% of adults vs. 21% of teens

Star Wars Toys Are Not as Popular

Sorry, Star Wars. A mere 19% of adults would like to receive a Star Wars toy this year, and even fewer teens (only 9%).

60% of Americans Have Unrealistic Holiday Budgets

  • 28% of Americans plan to spend between $250 and $500 on holiday gifts this year.
  • 20% plan to spend between $100 and $250.
  • 12% plan to spend less than $100.

A Small Percentage of Big Spenders

  • 26% of Americans plan to spend between $500 and $1,000 this holiday season.
  • 15% of Americans will go big this holiday season, with spending over $1,000.

Who Are We Spending the Most On?

  • 35% of American adults said their children.
  • 29% said significant others.
  • 20% said they’d be spending the most on their parents.

Across the Board, Parents Are Hardest to Shop For

  • 39% of teens say Mom is hardest to shop for.
  • 42% say Dad is the most difficult.
  • 31% of adults find Mom hardest to shop for.
  • 30% of adults say Dad is hardest.
  • 31% of adults say their significant other is the trickiest to shop for.

Bosses and Siblings Are Easiest

  • A whopping 95% of American adults said their bosses are easiest to shop for.
  • 88% of adults and 87% of teens say their siblings give them the least trouble.

Takeaways

Our Holiday 2015 Survey left us with some interesting conclusions:

  • Bosses are some of the easiest people to shop for.
  • Parents’ and teens’ holiday gift preferences are not all that different.
  • No one wants Star Wars stuff this year. (Come on, seriously?)
  • Adults want a vacation way more than teens do.

OK, maybe that last one isn’t especially surprising.

Happy holidays from Ebates!

Want to share our infographic on your site? Just copy and paste the text below!

Source: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20151118005432/en/Ebates.com-Holiday-Survey-Clothes-Beat-Tech-Star

 

 

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

Posted on

Infographic: Dad’s Black Friday Survival Guide

Dads. They’re the unsung heroes on Black Friday. They drive packs of kids to and from the mall that day. They wait in parking lots while their wives ransack favorite department stores. They do so much of the work that makes Black Friday possible and get none of the credit. Well, dads of the world, we can’t give you a trophy for your acts of Black Friday selflessness, but we can show you how to make your Black Friday a little bit more enjoyable and a whole lot less stressful.

Ebates Dad's Black Friday Survival Guide

 

Step 1: Be a Park Shark

There are a lot of things that are going to push you over the edge on Black Friday, but finding a parking spot has to be at the very top of the list. Spending hours circling a mall lot looking for a place to park can make you feel like you’re trapped in some kind of sedan-filled time loop. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to keep from going crazy. The first, and most important, tip is to let all the other riders out of the car first. It’s hard to stay calm with a bunch of back-seat drivers telling you what to do. Once they’re out and safely at the front of the store, don’t continuously circle the same spots — it’s Black Friday; no one is going anywhere for a while. Instead, try to find the spots other people are avoiding. The back of the lot may seem like a long walk, but you save a lot of time in the long run if you just take a spot and move on.

Step 2: Stay Away From Savings

If the rest of your family wants to kill themselves grappling with other shoppers to save a few bucks, that’s their business. You just want to get through the day avoiding serious bodily harm. The best way to do that is to stay away from any store that’s offering insane sales. JCPenney and Macy’s are the two prominent mall stores that typically have the biggest sales, which means they’ll attract the biggest crowds. Get as far away from them as you can if you want to stay out of danger. Better yet, why not seek out the stores that offer lower savings? Big Lots and Costco both offer statistically low savings on Black Friday. Head over there for a few hours and you should be able to avoid getting trampled.

Step 3: Become a Food Court King

The food court isn’t just a great place to kill some time dining on the finest pretzels and cheese the mall has to offer; it can also be a great place to really unwind. There are some fast food restaurants that will serve you alcohol with your mass-produced meals. Baja Fresh and Chipotle both offer beer and margaritas in the $4 to $7 range. Sbarro, meanwhile, will give you an entire bottle of wine for $23.99 (but maybe only go for that option if you’re sharing it with a few other dads). While we must stress that this tip is only for dads who are going to be spending at least three more hours at the mall, grabbing a few drinks could really help you get through Black Friday with a smile on your face.

Step 4: Catch a Movie

“Holiday Movie Season” is total “Dad Movie Season.” It’s when all the overly long, self-serious historical dramas that dads love come out. Thank goodness it lines up so perfectly with Black Friday. This year, there are a ton of awesome Dad movies out in theaters, including “Bridge of Spies,” a three-hour Cold War spy drama directed by Steven Spielberg; “The 33,” a testosterone-fueled true story epic about a bunch of miners trapped in a cave; and the Rocky sequel “Creed.” Best of all, there’s “Spectre,” and everyone knows that all dads are genetically predisposed to love James Bond movies; they just can’t help it. See one or two or all four of these movies on Black Friday and the day will be over before the final credits roll.

Extra Tips: If you really want to come out of Black Friday feeling like a million bucks (instead of just feeling like your family spent a million bucks), use the day to get some exercise in. The mall is actually a great place to get fit. The long corridors and hallways are perfect for power walking; you can use mall benches to assist in leg stretches, sit-ups or other small exercises; and if you look for it, you should even be able to find a staircase — climb it a few dozen times instead of taking the elevator or escalator. Bring an iPod along so you can drown out the crowds by listening to some of your favorite Dad rock (all of The Moody Blues’ albums are available on iTunes) or getting through a big chunk of the latest Tom Clancy audiobook.

Finally, the best Black Friday survival tip for dads? Skip it! Try and convince your family to just forget Black Friday altogether. After all, Cyber Monday is right around the corner — and your kids spend their entire life on the Internet anyway!

 

Want to share our infographic on your site? Just copy and paste the text below!

Sources:
https://wallethub.com/edu/best-worst-retailers-for-black-friday/8385/
http://www.slate.com/articles/life/food/2012/04/fast_food_restaurants…

 

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

Posted on

10 Hottest Tech Gifts for 2015

Computer and christmas gifts

If you’re a layman (or woman) when it comes to everything high-tech, shopping for the people who are always in the know on the hottest electronics can be daunting. We’ve rounded up some tech gifts that are guaranteed to be a big hit with everyday electronics users and technophiles alike. 

For a Smarter Home:

Amazon Echo

amazonecho

There will be quite a few wish lists this holiday season with the Amazon Echo on it. Access information, music, audiobooks, news, weather, traffic, sports and more with this hands-free, voice-controlled device. Echo boasts 7 microphones so it can easily hear you from across the room, even when playing music. Alexa – the brain behind Echo – is built into the cloud, so it is always getting smarter. The more you use Echo, the more it adapts to your speech patters, vocabulary and personal preferences. Think of it as the personal assistant you always wanted!

Belkin WeMo Home Automation Switch and Motion Sensor Bundle

belkinwemo

Does your mom ever leave the house without turning off the lights? Maybe your brother prefers to have the lights on when he gets home late? The WeMo Home Automation Switch and Motion Sensor Bundle is the perfect gift for anyone in your life. Set up your electronics to turn on or off from anywhere using your existing Wi-Fi router and any iOS or Android smartphone or tablet. Receive notifications when someone enters or leaves, leaving your home safe and secure. It even helps save energy by powering down frequently used appliances when no motion is detected.

BISSELL SmartClean Robotic Vacuum

smartclean

Gone are the days of following and picking up after kids, boyfriends and pets. The SmartClean Robotic Vacuum delivers automatic and effortless cleaning whenever you want. This vacuum gets it all too! Its powerful suction and unique brush roll design will gather all the dust, debris and hair so you don’t have to. Schedule your cleanings when its convenient for you and always return to a clean and happy home.

Philips Hue A19 Starter Kit

philipshue

Set the perfect tone and enhance a moment with the Philips Hue. This personal wireless lighting system allows you to create and control light using your smartphone or tablet. Dim the lights after a long day to relax or celebrate on game day by synching the lights to match your team’s favorite colors. And don’t worry about leaving the house without turning off the lights ever again. Simply switch them off wherever you may be.

For the Gamer:

PlayStation 4 Star Wars Battlefront 500 GB Bundle

ps4battlefront

One of the most anticipated games of the year just hit the shelves and it is gracing the wish lists of children and adults alike. Star Wars Battlefront lets you fight as the Rebellion or the Empire in a variety of action-packed multiplayer modes. This limited edition PlayStation 4 bundle gets you console and wireless controller inspired by none other than Darth Vader himself. Want even more Star Wars action? This bundle also comes with a voucher containing four Star Wars Classics – Super Star Wars, Star Wars: Racer Revenge, Jedi Starfighter and Star Wars Bounty Hunter. The force is strong with this bundle.

Xbox One 1TB Fallout 4 Bundle

xboxonefallout

It’s been seven years since Bethesda gave the gaming world Fallout 3. Fallout 4 brings us the next generation of open-world gaming. A fantastic RPG for old fans and new ones alike, Fallout 4 will give players countless hours of entertainment. This Xbox One bundle gives you everything you need to enjoy Fallout 4 as well as a full download of Fallout 3. Grab your Pipboy and set out for a new adventure with this console bundle.

Elgato Game Capture HD60

elgato

Live-streaming video games via Twitch and YouTube has become increasingly popular. If someone in your life like to stream their games, the Elgato Game Capture HD60 is a must have. Stream in 1080p quality with 60 fps from your PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, and WiiU. Built in live-streaming makes setup easy and ready to go out of the box.

Kingston HyperX Cloud II Headset

headphones

Just as a movie wouldn’t be complete without a great soundtrack, the video game experience isn’t complete without amazing surround sound. The HyperX Cloud II will enhance your gaming, movie or music experience with a newly designed USB sound card audio control box that amplifies audio and voice for the optimal gaming experience. Perfect for horror games late at night or team communication in-game, these headphones will take you to the next level.

For Tech Fun:

BB-8 App-Enabled Droid

bb8

One of the hottest tech gifts of the season happens to come from one of the most anticipated movies of the year. BB-8 is the perfect droid for any Jedi in your life. Kids and adults alike will love controlling BB-8 with their smartphone or tablet. Featuring voice controls, an adaptive personality, holographic communication and more, BB-8 will quickly capture the heart of many this holiday season.

GoPro Hero+ LCD Camera

gopro

The GoPro Hero+ LCD is the perfect gift for anyone hitting the slopes, catching air, or surfing a wave this holiday season. With built in Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, touch display and easy sharing to social media sites, the Hero+ LCD delivers 1080p60 video with ease. Capture all the incredibly moments of life and relive them time and time again.

Blue Yeti USB Microphone

microphone

If someone in your life is interest in playing instruments, singing or creating podcasts, then the gift of this microphone will change their life. The Yeti captures studio-quality records and features four different pattern settings to record audio that normally would require a setup with multiple microphones. Simple controls and plug and play setup makes it easy to use for the youngest and oldest of creative minds.

Parrot Airborne Cargo MiniDrone

drone

Take to the skies with the Parrot MiniDrone. Customize your MiniDrone before twisting, turning and zooming through the air. Pilots of all ages will enjoy taking control of the MiniDrone with a smartphone or tablet. Take aerial photos in flight with the built-in VGA camera and share with all your family and friends.

 

 

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

Posted on

Stores That Will Be Closed on Thanksgiving

storesclosedheader

We all know that Black Friday sales have started earlier and earlier over the years. This means Thanksgiving has turned into a shopping event itself. However, these big-name retailers are keeping their stores locked tight all day on Thanksgiving 2015. So, if you’re planning on getting a head start on Black Friday deals, remember to shop these stores online only with Cash Back at Ebates.

Clothing & Accessories

Nordstrom

See Nordstrom coupons
Shop Nordstrom with 3% Cash Back>

Burlington

See Burlington coupons
Shop Burlington with 2.5% Cash Back>

REI

See REI coupons
Shop REI with 2.5% Cash Back>

Patagonia

See Patagonia coupons
Shop Patagonia with 2% Cash Back>

Home & Garden

Sam’s Club

See Sam’s Club coupons
Shop Sam’s Club with 1.5% Cash Back>

Jo-Ann

See Jo-Ann coupons
Shop Jo-Ann with 2% Cash Back>

Crate & Barrel

See Crate & Barrel coupons
Shop Crate & Barrel with 1% Cash Back>

Pier 1 Imports

See Pier 1 Imports coupons
Shop Pier 1 Imports with 2% Cash Back>

Lowe’s

See Lowe’s coupons
Shop Lowe’s with 2% Cash Back>

Electronics & Entertainment

Game Stop

See Game Stop coupons
Shop Game Stop with up to 2.5% Cash Back>

Staples

See Staples coupons
Shop Staples with 2% Cash Back>

Barnes & Noble

See Barnes & Noble coupons
Shop Barnes & Noble with 1% Cash Back>

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

Posted on

Cyber Monday vs. Black Friday: Statistics & Shopping Tips [Infographic]

Black Friday is fast approaching, and so is its close cousin Cyber Monday. A massive 48 percent of Americans plan to shop on Black Friday, and 42 percent of Americans plan on shopping on Cyber Monday. But are Black Friday deals or Cyber Monday deals better? Which day will save you the most while causing you the least stress? It’s Black Friday vs Cyber Monday! Arm yourself with these statistics and shopping tips before you hit up the sales.

Cyber Monday vs Black Friday - Ebates

 

Black Friday

Pros:

  • Black Friday has more discounts on most electronics. 2014 saw 48% of deals for headphones, 83% for iPhones and 47% for laptops land on Black Friday.
  • You get to see your items in the flesh. Over 60% of shoppers prefer to shop in the store, probably because it guarantees there are no surprises when you get home.
  • No shipping costs.
  • Some exclusive in-store deals. In 2014, Walmart offered a Vizio 65″ 1080p Smart LED LCD HDTV for $648. That’s $100 cheaper than most 65″ HDTVs — even refurbished ones — were going for at the time.

Cons:

  • Risk of injury. Since 2006, there have been 98 injuries related to Black Friday sales. While your chance of serious injury isn’t high, it’s a lot higher than it would be than if you shopped online.
  • Crowds. In 2014, 68 million people shopped in person on Black Friday. Walmart alone had 22 million shoppers altogether.
  • Bad timing. In 2014, Barnes and Noble opened at 6 a.m. Friday, while Best Buy started its sales at 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving. At least 28 major national chains opened on Thanksgiving in 2014.
  • Not all stores are open on Black Friday. While plenty still open in the wee hours, some in 2015 plan to boycott the entire day. Sporting goods store REI has announced it will be closed on Black Friday 2015.

Cyber Monday

Pros:

  • It’s much faster. No driving time, and no time spent waiting in huge lines.
  • More discounts on toys and travel. Cyber Monday 2014 attracted 45% of all deals on toys and 25% of travel deals.
  • Virtually zero chance of injury, not counting the risk of spilling hot chocolate on yourself.
  • You can do more research. In 2014, 83% of Cyber Monday shoppers reported doing research online before shopping, while only 64% of Black Friday shoppers did.

Cons:

  • Items may be sold out. In 2014, “out of stock” messages on websites went up by 400% on Cyber Monday. Since you’re shopping later in the game, stores may have sold out of certain items.
  • Paying for shipping. Though shipping charges are the #1 reason customers abandon their online shopping carts — 88% of shoppers have done it — shipping costs continue to exist.
  • You’re more likely to spend more. In 2014, the average shopper spent $468 on Cyber Monday, versus an average $309 on Black Friday.
  • Your workplace might block you from Cyber Monday shopping. 30% of employers block access to online shopping sites.
  • You could technically get fired for shopping online at work. 25% of managers report that they’ve fired someone for non-work-related use of the Internet.

Thanksgiving vs. Black Friday vs. Cyber Monday

Also, remember that holiday deals start earlier each year — some folks even shop on Thanksgiving. Ebates’ 2015 holiday survey examined Americans’ shopping behaviors, and it found that when asked why they chose to begin holiday shopping on Thanksgiving, 39 percent said it was because Black Friday deals are actually starting earlier. The next-best reasons included better selection of products that haven’t been picked over (24 percent) and killing time after eating Thanksgiving dinner (18 percent).

When asked why they plan to shop on Black Friday, 81 percent of those polled said it was because they want to get the best prices on holiday gifts, and 43 percent said it is a family tradition.  Almost a quarter (24 percent) said they will shop on Black Friday to get all of their holiday shopping done in one day, and one in five (20 percent) said it’s because they “love the madness.”

Another thing to keep in mind is that some Black Friday deals are available online. More than half of surveyed people (52 percent) revealed they will shop online via their laptop this year. Meanwhile, more than a third will buy via their home computer (37 percent), and more than a quarter will use a mobile device (29 percent). Only 4 percent say they will do any Black Friday shopping via smart watch.

The bottom line is that if 4 a.m. shopping sounds like a fun adventure to you, go for the in-store experience of Black Friday. If it sounds like a nightmare, stick with the cozy safety of Cyber Monday — or even the online deals offered on Black Friday. Happy shopping!

 

Want to share our infographic on your site? Just copy and paste the text below!

 

Sources:
http://www.realsimple.com/holidays-entertaining/holidays/more-holidays/black-friday-cyber-monday-wait
http://www.worldpropertyjournal.com/north-america-commercial-news/e-commerce-trends-e-commerce…
http://www.businessinsider.com/2013-black-friday-stats-2013-12
http://blackfridaydeathcount.com/
http://dealnews.com/features/How-Deals-Will-Differ-on-Thanksgiving-vs.-Black-Friday-vs.-Cyber-Monday/879878.html
http://www.theblackfriday.com/black-friday-store-hours.shtml
http://www.pymnts.com/news/social-commerce/2014/what-really-happened-on-black-friday-by-the-numbers/
http://www.wsj.com/articles/some-retailers-step-back-from-black-friday-frenzy-1446111003
http://www.ibtimes.com/stores-open-thanksgiving-2014-walmart-target-best-buy-other-store-hours-turkey-day-1729309
http://www.cleveland.com/business/index.ssf/2014/12/enjoy_cyber_monday_since_more.html
http://www.metro.us/lifestyle/will-cyber-monday-shopping-get-you-fired/zsJnkz—ughjjN7FS67Rs/
https://www.forrester.com/Understanding+Shopping+Cart+Abandonment/fulltext/-/E-RES56827?objectid=RES56827

 

 

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.

Posted on

15-Minute Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving Tips

Thanksgiving may be the most annoying holiday. It’s bad enough that you have to spend all day cooking for your relatives, but Thanksgiving has the audacity to come on the day before Black Friday! Seriously, whoever scheduled Thanksgiving should have been a little more considerate than to put it right in front of the biggest and best shopping day of the year.

We know you want to get out of that kitchen and in line at Best Buy, Kohl’s, Kmart or Walmart as soon as humanly possible. Well, not to worry! We’ve got all the tips and tricks you’ll need to cut your Thanksgiving prep time way down so you can start celebrating what the holidays are really all about: unrestrained consumerism. Get ready for your 15-minute Thanksgiving!

Invite Guests — Lots and Lots of Guests

We know what you’re thinking. Guests!? Won’t that be more work for me? Well, not if you put your guests to work. Invite all your friends and relatives over for Turkey Day, then “politely” suggest that since you’re hosting, maybe they could bring a side dish or dessert. Before you know it, you’ve got a table full of chumps who’ve done all your cooking for you.

Thanksgiving food prepBuffet Style

Once again, it’s time to put your guests to work. Don’t waste precious minutes individually serving everyone at the table. Set out all your dishes and invite everyone to serve themselves. Setting up your Thanksgiving meal buffet-style is a great way to speed up the day. All your guests can start grabbing food at the same time and get down to eating much quicker. To make it even more fun and casual, forgo the dinner table altogether. Invite guests to eat wherever they please. Football fans can take their turkey into the TV room to keep watching the big game. Kids can huddle in the playroom for their own fun meal. Just have garbage bags stationed everywhere; this will encourage people to throw out their own trash, saving you even more work.

Speedy Bird

Your guests are getting you out of cooking any sides or desserts, but if you’re hosting Thanksgiving, there’s one dish you won’t be able to escape from making: the turkey. As Thanksgiving host, the bird is your solemn responsibility. Luckily, cooking a turkey doesn’t have to be an arduous, all-day event. Explore some alternative, time-saving ways to get the turkey on the table and ready to eat. Deep frying a turkey cuts your cooking time down to an hour. Spatchcocking it (cutting out its backbone and flattening it) will also reduce the bird’s time in the oven. Of course, there’s also the ultimate time saver: buying a pre-cooked bird at the store. Just pop it in the oven with the heat on low before your guests arrive and no one will ever know you didn’t cook it yourself.

Put It On Paper

Cleanup can be a real time-killer on Thanksgiving. Instead of spending hours at the sink scrubbing gravy stains off your mother’s fine china, just dump it all into a garbage bag and be done with it! Simply switch to paper plates and plastic utensils this year. For some extra flare, stop in at your local party store for disposable dinnerware with seasonal designs. Don’t worry about coming off as “low-class.” Just tell people that normal dinner plates make everything too formal and you were going for a more fun, festive and friendly atmosphere this year.

Here's to good times with great people!

Let the Wine Flow

Let’s get your guests nice and sleepy so they can head home to their nice, warm beds, and you can commence with your Black Friday festivities. The tryptophan in the turkey is a good start, but if you really want to send these freeloaders to snooze town, pour on the wine. Have bottles of it stationed everywhere and constantly be on hand to offer them a quick refill. There are a ton of nice, cheap red wines (the sleepiest of wines) that pair perfectly with turkey. Bottles of Montevina Zinfandel or Planeta La Segreta can both be purchased for under $15. For added effect, slowly turn up the temperature in your house over the course of the meal. Your guests will be ready to go before their second serving of pumpkin pie. (Also, maybe make sure they all have Lyft on their phone.)

And by the way, shopping Best Buy, Kohl’s, Kmart or Walmart online with Cash Back at Ebates will save you even more time to kick back this Thanksgiving. 

Sources:

http://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/shopping-storing/beverages/affordable-wines-thanksgiving/planeta-la-segreta-sicily

 

 

Prices and Cash Back Percentages are subject to change.