Is cashback a con?

DoctorStrange

I'm looking to switch energy provider and a top cashback site claims to have an offer of £170 cash back to switch to EDF.

However,  after signing up and going through the quote process, it seems that there's no mention of the offer anywhere...

Are these sites just a con, or is it possible to get decent cashback when switching?

greyteam1959

Thing to be very wary of is the fact that cashback is not guaranteed.
I never base what I do or buy on cashback promise's.

bagand96

They are not a "con".  But as @greyteam1959 says it's not always guaranteed.  Things sometimes do go wrong, cookies don't work properly, or web browser setting block them meaning the transaction won't track for cashback.  Have a look at the following pages, especially a few of the FAQs if you're worried about it not tracking.  

TopCashback - Getting Started
TopCashBack Help & Contact - CashBack Help and Contact Pages

Also make sure you meet the requirements of the cashback.  For energy companies it's usually a particular tariff or small number of tariffs that attract the cashback.

Generally the retailer's website won't mention the referral (TopCashBack, Quidco etc) you just use the site as normal.  Sometimes the referral is mentioned when you click through, some insurance/financial companies do, but that's the minority.

But it goes back to it not being guaranteed.  Be mindful of that if making your purchasing choices based on cashback.  It's better to think of it as a nice bonus on something you'd buy anyway. For energy tariffs the ones with big cashback are likely to be more expensive tariffs.

DoctorStrange

Thanks both

niktheguru

don't go on a higher rate tariff just because of cashback. But if you were going to go with the company anyway then if cashback is available definitely use it. I use quidco and topcashback all the time and you can make a killing in cashback. It is definitely not a gimmick. You should try and use a cashback site for most of your online shopping etc.

Tallerdave

In the energy market I would hazard a guess that it's always possible to get a deal without cashback for less than a cashback deal minus the cashback. It's your money you're being given back, so it's just a complicated discount.