Jul 21, 2008

Review: SwagBucks

Search & Win
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Update 7/21/08: I didn't realize it when I originally drafted this review, but you can win $3 awards - I just got one. I also wanted to add that SwagBucks' search function uses Google and Ask.com, so the results are usually what you're looking for. If you signed up using my referral link, thank you and have fun!

One of my daily reads is My Good Cents, which includes a weekly update on "extra" money. I saw repeated references to a $5 Amazon.com gift certificate from a site called SwagBucks, so when the author posted this review, I was intrigued and finally signed up last month.

Swagbucks is super easy to use. All you have to do is register, sign in, and use their search function. (I've bookmarked the search page, but they also have a downloadable toolbar. I've already got more than enough toolbars, so I'm sticking with the bookmark.)

Each search is an opportunity to win random "Swag Bucks" in the amount of $1, $2 or $5. Swag Bucks can be redeemed for various prizes. Obviously, I was interested in the Amazon gift certificates, which are 45 Swag Bucks, but there are quite a few other prizes as well.

I hit that threshold last week, almost exactly one month after I registered. I immediately redeemed my 45 Swag Bucks for an Amazon certificate, which appeared by email within a couple of hours.

It's pretty effortless for something I will most definitely use. (And I would have spent that money at Amazon anyway.) I've found that on most days, I can earn a SwagBuck in the morning and another one at night. I get at least one Swag Buck each day, and average about five searches per award. It's worth noting that only your first 20 searches each day qualify for the random awards.

When you sign up, you'll get 5 Swag Bucks to get you started. And if you'd kindly use my referral link, I'll earn a Swag Buck every time you do. Thank you!

One last thing to keep in mind: SwagBucks is part of a larger search and win network, but the bucks don't seem to be transferrable. Prizes at SwagBucks' other sites cost more, so My Good Cents recommends that you stick with the main site.

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

SwagBucks is definitely the best search and win site out there right now.. There search results are even better then the others! .. I was just able to cash out for a Nintendo DS (thanks to all the wonderful people that signed up under me) ...

JusFrugal said...

I agree swagbucks is the best. I belong to a few other sites, one where I have won a few amazon giftcards, but not as consistantly as you can earn with swagbucks.

Anonymous said...

I signed up under your referral link. I hope it will help you out and maybe I will won some bucks also. Thanks for the recommendation.

katy said...

I signed up under your referral link. I hope we both win!

Chief Family Officer said...

@Kimberly - Wow, that's awesome!

@Justine - Thanks for sharing your experience.

@Jennifer & Katy - Thanks so much! If you search with SB about five times in the morning and five times in the evening, your Bucks should add up pretty quickly :)

Anonymous said...

Hey Chief - Sorry, I'm already signed up, but you're definitely going about it the right way! I have almost 20 friends signed up so far and am well in my way to the 40" flat screed. Good luck and happy searching!

Anonymous said...

Swagbucks works great, but the problem is that it's not TOTALLY free. If you want to get a PS3 for example, you'll have to pay shipping and tax. The only things that are free are the gift cards- which they e-mail to you.

Chief Family Officer said...

@Anon - I didn't know that about the shipping. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

yeah...

"The winner is be responsible for paying all taxes and fees associated with any prizes or merchandise received by redeeming Swag Bucks."

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure where Anon got their information but Swag Bucks is totally free, INCLUDING shipping. I've already received a Nintendo DS and two video games and didn't have to pay a penny.

Anonymous said...

Gary, go to the Contest Rules on the bottom of the site. Read the "Przes" section. It says entrant has to pay tax and fees assosciated with the prize.

Anonymous said...

I've also won a couple video games, trading cards and never got charged for shipping or have ever been asked for any personal information..

Anonymous said...

Nvm, you only pay tax and shipping if you won a sweepstakes prize. Everything else is free.

Anon, what games did you get and how was condition?

Anonymous said...

I just started using swagbucks, it is great. However, I am from canada and the .com gift cards do not apply to me. I can't use amazon.com gift cards at the amazon.ca site. Kinda sucks. Guess i have to save for bigger physical items.

Unknown said...

Can't you order from amazon.com? I purchased something from amazon.fr once.

Chief Family Officer said...

@Ken & Jane - Yes, I think you can order from any Amazon site, shipping is probably more expensive, however. And SwagBucks now offers Amazon.ca gift certs.

Stacy said...

I've been using Swagbucks and have earned enough for several of the $5 amazon gift codes.
I really need some people to sign up with my referral link though!

Bryan said...

My wife and I both love Swag Bucks. We have over 70 each. We found another site that we love as well. It has the same concept as swag bucks. I wrote about it on my blog. Check it out at, http://puremoneymakingsites.blogspot.com/

makeabuck said...

I am definitely a fan of Swagbucks! Although it can take some time to accumulate, it's free and nearly effortless.