Get Cash Back with Checkout 51.
Have you heard about Checkout 51? If not, here is a brief introduction to who they are and what they do:
Checkout 51 lets you save on the brands you love. Get new offers weekly, buy from any store in Canada or the US (excluding Quebec), snap a photo of the receipt and get cash back!
Checkout 51 is based out of Toronto and is looking to change the world of couponing in Canada and the US by offering consumers cash back, without them having to use a single coupon.
Here’s what Noah Godfrey, Checkout 51 co-founder, has to say about the service:
“Since the Coca-Cola Company issued the first coupon 125 years ago, coupons haven’t changed much. Shoppers have to do a lot of work to save money on groceries, clipping or printing, stuffing wallets, holding up checkout lines. Checkout 51 makes it easier to get discounts on peanut butter, toilet paper and everything else found in a grocery store.”
How does Checkout 51 work?
- Buy items at any store in Canada or the US (excluding Quebec). Yes, that even includes stores such as Costco and The Bulk Barn.
- Send a photo of your receipt. Receipts must be very clear and readable. You must send a photo of your entire receipt, from the very top to the very bottom. If you have a long receipt, you can add “sections”.
- Get cash back. You can request a cheque once your account hits $20, or you can let it grow to a larger amount. The choice is yours. Cheques will be mailed to the address you have on file.
Yes, it really is that easy! And no, it is not a scam. It works!
Is Checkout 51 a Scam or a Legitimate Way to Earn Cash Back on Groceries?
Many people have been asking me if Checkout 51 is a scam and I’m here to put your mind at ease. It’s not a scam.
Now, you may be thinking: “this sounds way too good to be true”, but guess what – it’s true.
Since they just recently came out with an iPhone app, many people have been asking me the following question: “is Checkout 51 a scam?”.
Checkout 51 is NOT a scam. It’s a legitimate way to earn cash back on your grocery purchases. I have been using the program myself since it first launched, so I know this for a fact. Many MapleMoney.com readers have also been using Checkout 51 since it launched and they will agree that it’s a great program. Many of them have received multiple cheques already (some have received more than $100 back!).
Right now, only those with an iPhone or iPad can sign up to the program (it also works on any camera-enabled iPod Touch). They are working on making it available on other phones, as well as for people who may not have a phone.
Who can be member?
Anyone can be a member of Checkout 51, as long as you live in Canada or the US. It’s free to sign up.
Each member is allowed one account per device.
Can I get cash back on multiple items?
There is a limit of 1 rebate per item, per account. If you wanted to buy, for example, 3 of any particular item, you would only receive cash back for 1 of those items, per account.
You can submit multiple receipts each week, but you can only use a receipt once. This means you can’t buy 2 of the same item and submit the receipt once for one account and again for another account.
When are new offers available to claim?
New Checkout 51 offers are released every Thursday (we post them on MapleMoney every Tuesday so you can plan your shopping trip) and are valid until Wednesday of the following week.
There are usually around 10-15 offers available and you can claim 1 or all of them, but you must hurry, as quantities are limited (beta members – who are those that signed up before this app was available to everyone – never have to worry about limited quantities). New offers are announced through email, the Checkout 51 app, and the Checkout 51 Facebook page.
Note: Sometimes you will find exclusive offers when you view available offers via the app. These exclusive offers vary by account and are based on your previous rebates. Checkout 51 will evaluate what you have purchased in the past and give you these special, exclusive offers.
Can I use coupons and other discounts and still get my rebate?
Yes, you can use coupons and other discounts and you will still receive cash back for your purchase(s).
This is a great way to get free, or close to free, grocery items each week!
When do I get my cash back?
You are able to cash out and receive a cheque once your account reaches $20 or more. You don’t have to cash out right away, but if you want to, you can.
Cheques are sent out via mail within 7 business days. From personal experience, I usually receive my rebate cheque about 1 week after I request it. They’re very fast!
I live in Quebec, can I use Checkout 51?
Eventually, yes. Right now, no. They are currently working on perfecting their technology so that it will be able to read French receipts, but currently they can only read English.
Once they are able to read French receipts, Quebec will be able to participate.
I don’t have an Apple or Android device, can I use Checkout 51?
Yes! You can now use Checkout 51, even without an Apple or Android device.
If you haven’t signed up to Checkout 51 yet – what are you waiting for? If you love saving money, but hate the hassle of carrying coupons around with you (or if you want to combine your coupon savings with your rebate savings), this is the app for you!
You can sign up to Checkout 51 right here. Happy saving!
i love this post very helpful
I am using it and it’s great!
No data plan on my phone but I have an iTouch which has a camera and wi-fi capability. Has anyone ever tried that?
It does get frustrating in this “everyone has/needs data” world…just trying to find a new phone was near impossible!
I use it with my iPod Touch. No problems so far. We have wifi in our home so it’s easy for me to upload my receipts. If you don’t have wifi, just bring your receipts with you to a place like the public library or any other place that provides free hotspots.
You don’t need a data plan, just upload when you are connected to WiFi.
Thanks Kris and Jamie, we do have wifi, I think I’ll give it a go!
I use this app and it is simple and easy to use. Do not use this app if you need that “instant” (kind of like a scratch lottery ticket) high from using a paper coupon, as it takes forever to get up to $20. I’ve had the app for months and am only at $8.
It depends on buying habits. We’ve been using it for around six weeks and have earned approximately $150 in cheques. I only buy things our family usually eats or uses or items that are free, nearly free, or money makers that I would like to try or would use such as Glade products, but wouldn’t pay out of pocket for due to our tight budget.
As with couponing, it does take a bit of time to organize receipts and buy multiples on separate receipts. My husband and I each have an account, so I can buy up to two. Sometimes three if my mum is coming to visit and I know she hasn’t bought that particular item. I’m attempting to get her hooked as she doesn’t understand why I spend the time couponing, but she has submitted a few receipts. She sent me an email from her vacation in Asia this week commenting on this week’s offers, so I think she is coming around!
You forgot to mention that you also need a facebook account. I don’t have one and don’t plan on getting one….I don’t think that the two should be connected.
They have made it now that you can sign in with email or Facebook.
That’s great to know.
I have only been using it for a month and already have $14 saved. I always find one or two items that I would normally buy. Using instore sales, manufacturer coupons and checkout 51 I got $8 of yogurt for $1
I made one big old batch of frozen yogurt!
I love Checkout 51. I signed up the first time I saw Cassie mention it and I’ve already received over $40 in cheques! 🙂
I live in Québec and i use checkout 51!
i have had the app for a couple months. we have 5 apple devices in our home which means 5 – checkout 51 apps! ive saved over $200 already! Love it!!
THAT is awesome!
This is how my teenagers are “earning” the money to pay their cell phone bills… ultimately I still have to pay the bill, but I’ve told them I will continue to pay for the phones as long as they keep putting in my receipts and signing over the cheques. Generally we save enough each month to pay for the basic phone plan on each of the phones. I haven’t put it on my son’s ipad yet, but I am debating that too… he’s young though so I’d have to scan the receipts in on that one…
We have two ipod touch and it only works on 4th and 5th generation.
I’m pretty sure mine is 4th generation-might just have to give it a go!
I have been using it for a month and have my daughter doing it as well. I think it is a great marketing idea and I love the fact I can use my paper coupons too!
a few questions for you pro’s, i haven’t tried this yet (and I’m in quebec)
-how long do you have to submit your receipt? if i shop, do i need to submit asap, or can i do it on say a monthly basis?
-if i shop in ottawa for example, but live in Qc, can i still submit that shop? or does it need to be only from my province?
-how are they making money? i don’t want to have to put up with the hassel of fighting for my money like i did with the kidsfutures rewards program from a few years ago…
thanks in advance!
Hi Danielle,
Hopefully these answers help!
– You have to submit your receipts in the same week as the deals (eg. if the deal runs from March 21st-27th, you must submit your receipt between those dates). Also remember that some deals are only available in limited quantities, so you definitely want to submit your receipts as soon as possible to avoid disappointments.
– You can submit receipts from ANY store in Canada, it’s not province specific.
– They partner with the brands to offer these “online coupons”, so they get a cut of every redemption. I have already received cheques from them and it couldn’t have been easier or quicker!
Great post!
My husband and I have been using it since January. I love how they organized the Beta group and so lucky to be apart if it. We have saved almost 180 since January. We only buy what is onsale, have coupons for or what we will use. Except for the Glad items because they made us money. I have a check coming for $51 right now!!! Feels like bigger savings when you get a check. I would love to see the list each week get bigger. Writing a separate post matching up seeking deals with checkout 51 would be very beneficial with so many people using it 🙂
I love checkout 51, only been using it 3 weeks and doing great….don’t forget you can still use coupons at the store with price matching you can get some really great deals!
I just got an iPad and have $3 in my account. I love this app!
I love it…triple the deals if you use paper coupons at the store and match with sale item, Three weeks I am at 15 dollars
I LOVE Checkout51 and recommend it to all my family and friends. I find it really easy using an ipod touch 5th gen and wifi at home. I’ve mad over $54 since Feb this year with items I would normally buy or trying new items at great prices.
What about the fact that quantities are limited? Is it possible that others can get the rebate and you can’t, even after following everything properly? Does checkout 51 indicate how many more submissions will be accepted for a given item before it is rejected?
Just wondering how the receipts are uploaded. Is it done through email?
I love this app as well. I use my I-Pad and response time is super fast.
I tried to upload my receipts for this app although I did not see the receipt reflected on my Iphone. The app did confirm I was owed 4.50 cents. I kept trying to take a photo of my receipt but did not see the pic of my receipt on my screen. Now I have nothing pending in my Check out 51 account and no money owed. I am really bummed out as last weeks offer has now ended. Am I supposed to see the photo of the receipt? I just kept seeing blank pages on my screen. Help! I just lost 4.50!
What if I purchased the item the day the rebate wasn’t available yet, example purchased item at 5 pm on Wednesday and the rebate started 12 am Thursday, can i still use the receipt?
Thankyou
Corina
sorry Corina you cant.
I just got the email confirming that Checkout 51 is now available for Android. I’m pretty excited because both my wife and I use Android phones. Go download it now 🙂
This is an awesome program, coupon clipping is tedious, this is great THANK YOU
This is awesome! Although I do have a question. E.g. Out of 10 items you posted on checkout 51, if I buy 3 items in single receipt, I believe that’s valid ….? Please confirm.
Thanks,
Yes, that is fine.
I noticed that buytopia.ca is launching something similar called snapsaves.ca
Can we sign up for both? Do you think it may be beneficial to sign up for one or the other?
If I completed one offer last week and the same offer comes back again this week, can I do it again? The limit says one but I do not know if the limit is only for one week. Does anyone know? Thanks.
you sure can!
Some (but not all) of my offers now state ‘Cannot be combined with any other offer’ in the fine print section. Does that mean that you can’t combine these rebates with paper coupons in store?
hi , i live in quebec i want to know if i buy in ontario can i use checkout 51 ?
Unfortunately you can’t use C051 if you reside in Quebec.
I purchase a lot of produce during a week. Is it possible to use different reciepts for same items.
You can only redeem for an item once per week.
So just so I’m understanding correctly. If an offer is posted 2 weeks in a row I can claim
it twice off the same receipt ??
No Nicole, you can not use a past receipt to claim a new offer. The dates need to be within the week that the offer is live. So if an offer goes live on June 12 and you have a receipt that is dated for June 11, you are unable to claim it. It must be during the dates listed. Offers change weekly but some are repeated but they still must fall within the respected dates. Hope that helps!
If the offers states “no weekly limit” does this mean I can purchase 5 of the item on the same receipt and get credited for all 5 of them when I upload the receipt? Or must I go through the till 5 times to get 5 of the same item but can upload each receipt separately that day and receive a rebate for each?
I haven’t used this app but can’t people abuse the system? I.e, buy the item-> upload the receipt -> then return the item at the store…
Just saying if this is possible at all?
It’s possible, yes, but most people don’t stoop that low. 🙂
Of course it’s possible Juliana. There is always a way to abuse the system. We like to think people don’t do that.
No they cant do that.Because they will know they are connected with the store.Its ellegal to that.You can read on they terms and condition.
Are you not doing the Tuesday peak at Checkout 51 anymore?
I post them every Tuesday and then repost them on Thursday.
Hi. Yes i am looking to sign up with multiple Brands, i have only heard of Kellogs and Christie Corners. Is there other Brands out there??
those are the only current brands right now Nicholas.
I have an iphone and am trying to take more than one photo, i.e., add sections, of my receipt; after I take the first photo and hit add section the app closes. Any ideas why?
If you’ve had trouble getting Checkout51 to honor a rebate, contact the manufacturer. I received free item coupons and $ off coupons from the manufacturers. They didn’t even ask me for proof! I was very, veyr happy.
I live in Quebec, but do the majority of my shopping in Ontario, can I use the app for Ontario bought products???
If you live in Quebec you are unable to use this app.
If the same offer comes up two weeks in a row (with a stated limit of one per member), and I buy the item twice (once in the first week and once in the second week), can I claim the rebate both times? Thank you!
yes you can.
Thank you!
I am starting to use Checkout 51 but I don’t understand it. How is it a deal if I have to buy two of something to get $2 off? And many of these products I never buy to begin with because they are more expensive than the genericbrand or they are unhealthy, like pizza pops and french fries. I will keep checking back to see if they come up with better products and deals. I guess it’s just a once in a while thing to use if you actually need or would be purchasing the product anyway.
Think of it like a coupon. Some coupons you don’t use and some state that you must purchase 2 in order to receive the savings. Only purchase what you need. They offers do change every Thursday so hopefully the variety continues.
How is it a bargain if you save a couple of dollars one month but don’t buy anything on the list the next month then they take an “inactive fee” out of your account?
the inactivation fee only starts after a year of not using your account. not every month but every month after a full year of inactivity
How can some one get 2 accounts.
Different household Member? Or
same user different device? Can it be same address for more than one account? Thanks for any guidance
Just be sure to look over the items good before you submit receipt. I missed $2.00 of community coffee. Found it after I submitted receipt but oh well. Wish it was like the walmart savings catcher app where it checks your items. Love that app.