HOW-TO get Microsoft to subsidize that netbook purchase you’ve been putting off

Computers & Mobile
HOW-TO get Microsoft to subsidize that netbook purchase you’ve been putting off

Live Search Cashback
Great post from Brian @ Hackszine on getting a netbook on the cheap! He writes…

Things I learned today:

  • Microsoft is encouraging people to use Live Search by running a generous rebate program. At times (such as this morning when I bought an MSI Wind), the rebate can reach 30% or higher.
  • eBay sellers techtreasure and multiwavevideo are also known as Mwave.com, a reputable seller of computers, such as the MSI Wind I bought from them this morning.

To be clear: yes, Microsoft is paying you to search. Here’s how it worked for me this morning:

  1. I started my search at Live.com and searched for “cheap” along with some product name; I tried a few variations such as “cheap wii” and “cheap laptop” and both worked.
  2. Looked for the link titled “Buy A Cheap Laptop. You may get XX% off with PayPal if eligible.” (This morning, it was 30%. As I type this, it’s 20%)
  3. Searched for the MSI Wind (Buy it Now items only), and purchased it using Paypal.
  4. Made sure that at every step of the way, I saw the icon for “Microsoft cashback” at the top of the screen.

eBay has a page with terms and conditions, and Microsoft has a FAQ about the program. See a list of other stores that participate in this cashback program.

So, how did I make out? I paid $479 for the laptop, and qualified for $144 cash back. On top of that, there’s a $50 manufacturer’s rebate on the MSI Wind, so all told, $285. Get while the getting’s good, and let us know how you fared!

FatWallet.com: eeePC 1000H for $330 shipped with live.com and ebay
FatWallet.com: *EDITED again* 20% off at eBay through MSFT cashback program

2 thoughts on “HOW-TO get Microsoft to subsidize that netbook purchase you’ve been putting off

  1. Peter says:

    I caught this last time it came around, and had no problems getting the cash back after the (60 day?) waiting period. One thing to be aware of, if you’re looking at big-ticket items, I believe the max cap this time is $200 per purchase, up to six purchases per eBay acct.

Comments are closed.

Discuss this article with the rest of the community on our Discord server!
Tagged

current: @adafruit - previous: MAKE, popular science, hackaday, engadget, fallon, braincraft ... howtoons, 2600...

View more articles by Phillip Torrone

ADVERTISEMENT

Maker Faire Bay Area 2023 - Mare Island, CA

Escape to an island of imagination + innovation as Maker Faire Bay Area returns for its 15th iteration!

Buy Tickets today! SAVE 15% and lock-in your preferred date(s).

FEEDBACK