“ Offer not eligible for cash back when combined with other coupons.”

[elizabeth3]

The thing is getting a hold of anyone that can give an answer. Customer service is so frustrating with Ibotta. I’ve been trying to get some clarification for 8 days now - twice they have just sent me the copy and paste answer on Walmart rewards that @ShelbyS had posted even though in my email I specifically asked questions about other retailers. 
I think my time with using Ibotta will be ending - the update to policy is terrible but I would have still used it when possible. However how they have handled this has been more disappointing than anything. Just quietly adding it to offers and FAQ then not being able to give any more clarification when reached out to.  I feel like they either don’t understand their user base in the slightest or they partnered with Walmart and are moving to a business model that is more b2b than it is b2c and know they are going to significantly reduce their users. 

[ShelbyS]

Thank you all for the engagement and patience on this thread - I am currently working with multiple teams to provide you with the most up to date answers to your questions and will provide an update when I have one.

[TBIRDMOM96]

Thank you for your help @ShelbyS .  There is so much confusion and your help is truly appreciated.

[Rickibotta]

@Coral 

Seems unlikely ibotta would change course if there were rampant user backlash.  I'm not even sure they have a choice, so I am not convinced that is where our disdain should be pointed.

I am not a conspiracy theorist, but there would be no reason I can think of for ibotta to change anything if they are getting paid by the merchants.  It seems to me that perhaps the manufacturers are squeezing the merchants due to all the 'losses' from stacking, and the merchants therefore can't afford to pay the rebate sites.  After all, most of these rebates ultimately come from the manufacturer, and they can't really sell large volumes of $5 items and give away more than that in incentives.  And then to do it repeatedly.

We got no notice basically.   All the issues ibotta had recently with Target/CVS/WM.   The WM change to include Walmart Rebates..  So many changes all at the same time.   Seems odd. I just wonder if there was some tacit 'agreement' that ibotta had to enter into to avoid pressure or perhaps face not getting reimbursed under certain conditions, etc.   It is almost unfathomable that ibotta would go all the way from stacking with anything and everything to not stacking with anything.  That is a severe change.

Ok, so I guess maybe I am a bit of a conspiracy theorist, but I firmly believe there are forces at play that we are not privy to.  Otherwise, why no details or heads up to speak of from ibotta.

[FelskyNY]

@ShelbyS  If you could just pass on to the rest of the team how frustrated the users are that there was no contact from Ibotta informing us of ANY changes in the works, and until we started seeing the verbiage in the offers, and receipts started being denied, THAT was what started the uprising.

I'm sure the higher ups at Ibotta are reading posts here, on IG and FB, and all other social media platforms.  If you are going to make a MAJOR change such as this, let us know, give us some warming ahead of time, and we will have no choice but to accept the modifications.

Without communication, Ibotta may lose a lot of users.

[123Save]

@ShelbyS

I’m sure you’re limited to what you can share and what you have posted so far has been “sanitized” by your legal and corp comm depts.

Having said that, please remind your leaders why this community was created. Active contributors serve as free customer support for your company. At a minimum, we’re owed a personalized set of FAQs for specific situations discussed here. I would especially like to see details explaining the denial and reversal of offers that previously automatically credited without issue.  

Lastly, when will the “Deal Stacking” section of the community forum be removed/archived? It appears your new policy contradicts its existence.

Thanks and best regards.

[Dean]

@Rickibotta 

It’s not just the rebate dollars but also the advertising revenue that drives these changes from the rebate services. If retailers and manufacturers were to remove their presence from the apps, that would reduce the amount of advertising revenue. So changes have to be made to please the suppliers and keep the revenue from declining.

In researching how many use coupons, I found many reports stating 90% of consumers use coupons at some point during the year. And mobile rebate apps use was higher than 70%. Also found that the couponing industry is $90+ million a year business. Those are some compelling reasons for rebate apps to change.

Trivia found: The coupon industry began in the mid 1890s when Coca-Cola issued a coupon for one free bottle.

[Dean]

@123Save 

As you know, this site shares tips from many different couponing and rebate sources. Closing any forums isn’t necessary at this time. Of course Ibotta can do anything they want with this site whenever they want.

[FelskyNY]

@123Save  I'm not sure if anyone mentioned it, but there was a recent ad on FB from ARM and Hammer toothpaste with a coupon to use IN CONJUNCTION WITH IBOTTA, which leads me to believe that not ALL offers will no longer be stackable - we'll have to wait and see.

[TBIRDMOM96]

Exactly!! That is what I was trying to relay to @ShelbyS .   So much confusion.