PayPal Launches 2008 Holiday Promotions

"With the economy tightening, consumers are shopping early and using every tool at their disposal to find the best deals on holiday gifts," said Cliff Hopkins, senior director for PayPal. "Many online merchants are responding with cash rebates, free shipping and other great deals for all our PayPal members this holiday season."

Forrester Research predicts online sales will increase by 12 percent this November and December over 2007 ("Outlook for US Online Holiday Sales," October 2008).

To attract online holiday shoppers, retailers are offering a number of holiday promotions to help PayPal members find great gifts at prices that won't break the bank.

Beginning December 1 through December 22, PayPal members can receive cash-back incentives on purchases from retailers such as Overstock, Blue Nile and eToys. Offers vary by merchant, but shoppers can find rebates and discounts ranging from five to 30 percent.

Merchants such as SmartBargains and 1800 Flowers are also offering free shipping this season on orders paid for with PayPal.

eBay continues to be the destination where shoppers can find the best prices on the gifts people want most. Shoppers who arrive at eBay through Microsoft Live Search ( www.live.com) can receive up to 30 percent cash back on the purchase of any eligible fixed-price item when using PayPal through the Microsoft Live Search cash back program. The cash back program, on top of eBay's already low prices, can generate savings of up to 60 percent on many of the hot gift items available for sale across the site.

And just in time for the busy holiday shopping season, eligible purchases on eBay.com paid for with PayPal are protected for the item's full purchase price plus original shipping costs with no cap on coverage if the items are not received or significantly not as described.

For more information about the 2008 PayPal holiday promotions, and to see a full list of participating merchants, visit http://www.paypal.com/holiday beginning December 1.