Here’s an interesting bit of legalese hidden deep within the terms and conditions for Microsoft’s Live Search with Cash Back. Turns out that using a coupon code to make a cash back purchase will result in, well, no cash back for you. A strange rule since the vast majority of deals that you find online require the use of some type of discount or coupon code. Click on through to the next page and I’ll show you the whole paragraph.

Paragraph 17 of the Microsoft Live Terms & Conditions state:

17. Live Search cashback.

You can participate in the Live Search cashback service, subject to the then-current participation age, country of residence and other requirements described at the Live Search cashback web site (http://search.live.com/cashback). Live Search cashback is a service for you to accumulate awards for making qualifying purchases from participating stores. These awards may be redeemed later for cash or other goods and services.

You may earn Live Search cashback awards on purchases that you complete in the same web browsing session after clicking on advertisements or listings in the Live Search service or the Live Search cashback service. Eligible advertisements will be marked with the Live Search cashback logo. You will not earn cash back awards on purchases where (a) you open the store’s web site in a different web browser; (b) your browser is not configured to accept cookies; (c) the purchase is not completed in the same web browsing session (not to exceed 24 hours) initiated by clicking on the eligible advertisement or listing; (d) the order is later cancelled or the goods or services are later returned; (e) the store does not report the purchase to Microsoft; (f) the goods or services are acquired for resale or other business purposes; or (g) you also use a separate discount or coupon. Live Search cashback awards are not available on purchases of gift cards or gift certificates or on purchases you make from yourself or entities that you control. There may be additional limitations on purchases on certain merchant sites, and those limitations will be disclosed on the merchant site. Your participation in the Live Search cashback service on such merchant sites will be subject to these terms and conditions as well as any additional ones disclosed on the merchant site. In the event of a conflict between any of these terms and conditions and those disclosed on the merchant site, the ones disclosed on the merchant site will apply and control.

Based on these terms, anyone using Live Search solely for the cash back will need to forego the use of any coupon or discount codes.

Link: Microsoft Live Search Terms & Conditions via: Slickdeals