Tricks

[Jensine2011]

Had Ibotta for a while but can’t seem to get the hang of it. Any tricks to make it easier or faster?

[Glammy · Accepted solution]

IBOTTA: Tips For Maximizing Earnings

1. Download and use the Ibotta App
2. Add rebates to to your list in the App before going shopping. 
3. DO NOT Add rebates from the general tabs: Hot Items, Buy Again, Hot Items, Best For you. ADD ITEMS from the official categories: Dairy & Eggs, Pantry, Beverages etc. 
4. Note all rebates are not available at all retailers, the available rebates vary. 
5. Recommend logging in to the wifi at your store when shopping and check the ”product bar codes” in the Ibotta App before purchasing rebate items. Also check that you have added the rebate to your shopping list for the retailer in the App. 
6. Linking your store card sounds good but they need to do better with this feature. This takes up to 3 days and often does not capture all the rebates. I tried it but have since unlinked my cards. It works about 50% of the time and have to write and submit photos to resolve the missing rebates. 
7. I usually take a photo of the rebate offers in case I need to submit them if I fail to get the credit. Note if you use an offer it usually disappears for about 24 hours (from all retailers), even if you did not get the credit.  They reappear about 90% of the time in 24 hours if they haven’t expired. 
8. If purchasing a lot of items at the store, I recommend ringing up your rebate items on a separate (shorter) receipt. 
9. While you will earn the rebate  when Purchasing multiple items of the same offer, the purchase will only counts as ONE item for bonuses. 
10. YOU MUST purchase rebate items  On different days (24 hrs apart) to earn your bonuses. Remember that offers disappear for 24 hours (even if available from multiple retailers) when used before they can be added to your list again. Purchasing the item at multiple retailers on the same day will count as 1 for your bonus offers. 
11. Note you may use paper Or electronic coupons on the rebate items you purchase if they are available. 
12. When redeeming Your rebates: If the first submission does not recognize all your rebates, resubmit the Receipt again immediately. That usually captures all your rebates. 
13. If you did not get credit for all your rebates, submit a copy of your receipt for consideration along with photos of your offers if you have them.  This works about 80% of the time for about 90% of the missing credits. 

[Jensine2011]

Thank you! These are super helpful. Two questions though... can you tell me why it’s best to search the general tabs and not the best value? 
also what is the big deal about teams?

[Crysann128]

Personally I go through all the tabs just to be sure I didn’t miss marking anything that there is a chance I will possibly purchase. I believe some people just find it faster to skip the best value/any item tabs since technically they’re just repeat items that you’re going to find in the general tabs anyways. 

Teams help you earn extra bonuses and faster. You can have teammates that come from your personal referral link. Also if your Facebook is linked anyone on your friends list that already has theirs linked as well should populate too. Since I’ve had people actually use my referral though I’ve not seen my Facebook team so I’m not sure exactly what that’s about. However, as your team makes purchases you should see those updates in your notifications and you can always check your team’s monthly progress in your account tab as well. 

[HotLavaMama]

Thank you 

[FelskyNY]

I also make sure I have the ap open when I go in the store (and make sure it is opened to that specific store), so when I search an offer, I know that it is good in that specific store.  For example, If I'm in Shoprite and the offer is only good at WalMart, I know it's not eligible.  I also Scan the item in the store to make sure it matches the offer.  Be sure to check the "any" offers before shopping and include  the ones that apply.  Double and triple check the quantity offers (for example must by 2).  and lastly, don't always count on the expiration times.  Sometimes an offer may disappear - so be sure to scan scan scan your receipt ASAP - and again, make sure if you are buying multiple of an offer, click the little + sign in the offer.  The time zone expiration is GMT (or something like that) so it is not YOUR Local time. 

Hope this helps you too!

[Meashy13]

I agree! I had installed Ibotta for almost 3 years. And I can't get it right.

[ipowell]

Great list! But why #3?

[mmoore01]

#3 - You can certainly check out offers from the first five or six categories, but be aware that some items will show up on multiple categories.  If you start with Dairy and go to the right, you will see all the rebates just once, which is faster.

[mmoore01]

#13 - My experience has been 100% credit for all offers that I submit through the help desk.  Yes, it takes at least 2 or 3 days, but I do get credit for offers and bonuses.  This is from someone who has entered plenty of requests over 6 years.