: While the marketplace closed, the cash-back referral business (formerly Ebates) is still thriving.
Founded in 1997, quickly became a major player in the U.S. electronics market by selling items at a loss to gain customers, hoping to make up the difference through advertising. Its affiliate program was a key driver of this growth, as it allowed tech bloggers and deal sites to earn commissions by referring shoppers to "The Internet Superstore". The Rakuten Takeover
If you are looking for a similar electronics-focused affiliate program today, many former Buy.com affiliates have moved to these platforms:
In 2010, the Japanese e-commerce giant acquired Buy.com for $250 million to challenge rivals like Amazon.
: Despite high hopes, the Rakuten.com marketplace (formerly Buy.com) struggled against Amazon’s dominance and was eventually shuttered in 2020 . Modern Alternatives
: In early 2013, Buy.com was officially rebranded as Rakuten.com Shopping .
The story of the is a classic tale of the early internet's "dot-com" volatility, a massive international acquisition, and an eventual evolution into what we now know as Rakuten . The Rise and Fall of Buy.com