Nectar and eBay to unlink accounts
Yesterday (8 June 2024) Nectar announced that from 31st August 2024 eBay and Nectar accounts will be “unlinked”. This means that consumers will no longer automatically collect Nectar points on their eBay purchases. In order to collect points on purchases, consumers will need to go through the Nectar app or website. What does this mean for consumers?
Consumers will also no longer able to spend Nectar vouchers on eBay. Any vouchers they still have will be valid for 12 months from purchase and Nectar members can still buy them up to 31st August 2024.
However, members will receive 2 points for every £1 spent instead of 1 point. 1 point is worth 50p.
But savvy money savers will be worse off:
If you currently use a cashback site, you will be getting money for spending on eBay. For example, you can currently get 1p for every £1 spent on eBay through Topcashback*. So, because the nectar card and eBay accounts are linked, you are able to go through a cashback site and get 1p in cashback and 1 nectar point equal to 0.5p, a total of 1.5p. From 1 September you will have to choose which to use: 2 nectar points worth 1p or 1p in cashback. Whilst these are small sums they do mount up if you are also a savvy eBay buyer! If you spent £100 using cashback and Nectar you would receive a total of £1.50. From September 1st you will get £1 in Nectar point or £1 in cashback.
View this post on Instagram
A spokesperson for eBay told me:
eBay remains committed to providing value to customers by investing resource in other key areas, including the ongoing effort to drive forward the circular fashion economy following our recent removal of selling fees for pre-owned clothing, continuing to offer best-in-market deals and discounts across all categories, and investment in eBay’s Authenticity Guarantee service, to ensure customers can shop high-end luxury and collectible items with confidence.”
The removal of eBay seller fees will be as a result of competitors like Vinted and that it hasn’t taken into consideration the loss to buyers.
A Nectar spokesperson said simply:
We regularly review how customers can use Nectar with our partners and today’s announcement means some changes to the way Nectar works at eBay. From 1st September, the way customers can use Nectar with eBay is changing and they can collect two points for every £1 they spend via nectar.com and the Nectar app.”
I advise consumers to make eBay purchases to convert the Nectar points on 31 August 2024, so that they will be valid for the coming year. I also advise consumers to think about what is better for them to gain – Nectar points or cashback, as the total will be the same and they will need to go through one site or the other to claim, rather than through eBay.
*affiliate link
