Cashback Transaction Tracking Issues

For those of us who regularly use cashback sites to get some rebates and cash back on our shopping, there always seems to be a few instances, say over a period of about a year, where the purchase doesn't track for some un explained reason.  It can be frustrating and rather annoying, especially if the expected cashback amount was going to be significant.  Why does this happen?  What happens to that cashback?

Sometimes you can ask the cashback site to chase up a transaction and after a while they come back with a credit to your account...yay!  Other times though they come back with the bad news that the transaction didn't track properly or the commission (cashback) went elsewhere. Ouch!

Why might a cashback transaction not track?

There are lots of possible explanations for a purchase not tracking to your account for cashback, here's five possible reasons for not getting cashback:

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• If you forget to check that you are logged in to the cashback site when you click the cashback link then you will not get any cashback, because the transaction cannot be linked directly to you.
• If you have visited the online shop or store before going to the cashback site and clicking through to it again, there is a chance that the commission will track elsewhere.  This is why cashback sites recommend that you clear all cookies from your browser before clicking through to a retailer and completing a purchase.
• Of course you must ensure that your browser is set up to accept cookies!  Most transactions use these little monsters which track your every move to ensure you get your cash back!
• Be careful if you are using online vouchers or deal codes.  If you want cashback you should only use codes taken from the cashback site you are using.  If you get them from elsewhere you might not get your cashback (well actually you probably wont get it because the person who gave you the code will receive it instead!).
• If it's an offer or a sign up, you are normally only entitled to receive cashback once.  If you've used an offer before you won't get cashback a second time.  Some offers and sites are run by the same advertiser and this might be why you don't get any cashback.

So there you have five possible reasons for your cashback not tracking or reaching your account.  There are many more, but I'm not going to bore you with them all today!

Most cashback sites give you advice to help ensure your cashback tracks.  Other sites give you cashback tracking tips too.  Read it and digest it like a tasty cookie and most, if not all of your purchases will hopefully track just fine.  If not, ask your cashback site why!