MSN Live Search

So I mentioned recently that I bought a new camera, a Nikon D40 to be specific. I also bought a Nikon 18 to 105 lens to go with it. Tonight I bought a 67mm Hoya UV filter for my lens. It seemed like a good idea to be cleaning my $18.00 filter rather than my $200 lens.

Wait, Wait.. Did I say 200 lens. Indeed, thanks to MSN live search I paid $200 for a $280 lens ($350 most places). So I heard about MSN Live Search cashback a while ago. Basically it is a deal where if you log in to your MSN Live account and go through MSN Live Search links you can get a percentage of your purchase as cashback. In most cases this works out to be between 2-6% back. Well, it turns out that Items purchased through Ebay "Buy It Now" and paid for with Paypal are eligible for much larger cashback. When I bought my lens MSN was offering 30% cash back. Yes 1/3 of the purchase price I get back by check from MSN. I have no idea how this works or what happens but it has been working for several months. Today I bought my UV filter for 18.00 with 25% cash back. This is huge. So again to my loyal readers I pass on the bliss of bargain hunting.

Here are a few details to get you underway with MSN Live Cashback.

1. You need to create an MSN Live account. You can do this easily by googling MSN live click the "sign in" link then click "sign up"
2. You need to create an Ebay account. Go to Ebay and follow the instructions.
3. You need to create a Paypal account. Again, go to Paypal and follow the instructions.

For Ebay purchases

1. You need to create an MSN Live account. You can do this easily by googling MSN live click the "sign in" link then click "sign up"
2. Go to the MSN Live search make sure you are signed in with your live account.
3. Type in a few key words associated with the product you want to purchase. Being general is good. I search "Hoya 67 UV" at the top of the search list a box of related advertisers will appear. If Ebay is listed it should have a "you may be eligible for 25% cashback". Click this ebay link.
4. Once you are in Ebay verify there is a "you may be eligible for 25% cashback" banner at the top of the screen. 
5. Refine your search and find a reputable "Buy It Now" seller.
6. Choose "Buy It Now" and Pay with Paypal. There should be some indications throughout the process indicating this is eligible for MSN Live Cash back.
7. Go and look in your Ebay mailbox to verify the cashback worked. (I have never had a problem)

One disclaimer, read the fine print cashback is not available on all purchases (cars for instance). I have heard some people have had problems on larger purchases (greater than $1000). So... Be reasonable and save some money.

For those that are not sure about using Ebay you can get the normal 2-6% (maybe even up to 10-15% in some stores) you can go to the Live Search Cashback page and simply search the item you are interested in. It will give back a list of stores with prices and the amount of cashback. Do be aware some of the store on the search are a little shady. If the price seems too good to be true it probably is. Make sure you Google search the store name to check the reseller rating.

As with all bargain hunting you good judgement.  I cannot state strongly enough If it looks too good to be true. It probably is.