Headline PH: Microsoft Bing ends cashback feature

Some called it a move of the truly desperate: Paying users outright for using the Microsoft Bing search engine.

Microsoft, however, calls it an experiment, and that experiment is going to come to an end.

The much-talked-about Bing cashback feature will go dark on July 30, 2010. Until then, you can earn cashback rewards normally, but once July 30 comes around, those offers will go away completely.

Microsoft seems to view the program as a limited success. For the uninitiated, cashback was a feature on Bing Shopping, wherein advertisers could offer financial incentives for shoppers who bought certain products advertised on the site. We’re not talking pennies. As I write this, Macy’s is still offering 4 percent cash back on eligible products storewide, and Tiger Direct is offering 12 percent. That kind of savings isn’t anything to sneeze at. Shoppers had to wait for 60 days after a purchase to get their money out, after which they would receive a check or a Paypal transfer — up to $2,500 every year.

But not enough merchants signed up for the program, says Microsoft, so it’s putting its efforts into "some new programs for you and our advertisers designed to provide amazing shopping experiences for consumers and great opportunities for advertisers."

If you have money in your cashback account — even less than the site’s $5 minimum for a payout — you can still get your money out through the normal redemption process. Just follow the regular payment-request procedure after July 31 if you have less than $5 in your account and you’ll still receive your check. You have one year to claim your money, so don’t dilly-dally!

Christopher Null, Technology writer:
Yahoo! News

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