Weeks after announcing a plan to give discounts for products found through Live search queries, Microsoft has added in a new option to save directly on eBay “Buy It Now” items. eBay offers found via Live will now have built-in “Cash Back” discounts. Unlike the other Live Cash Back partners, the discount is applied directly to your eBay total without the need to use Microsoft’s interface.

The discounts seem to be about 10 percent per item.

Is it just me, or is the smell of desperation getting unbearable?

Microsoft Ups The Ante In Cash Back Program is a post from: The Inquisitr

The company’s director of business product management, Nicholas Fox, ridiculed the idea of Google following suit.

“We have no plans to pay users to use our product,” he said. “Our fundamental belief is that we should compete by building a great user experience … rather than paying users nickels and dimes.”

Microsoft’s program, launched this week, actually gives users money when they use the Live site to search for a product and then end up making a purchase through a partnered retailer. It offers anywhere from two to 30 percent of the total purchase price back.

Fox made his remarks during an internet conference in Vegas this week. He also talked about Google’s focus on developing targeted ads throughout its services and about the challenges of making money off social networks.

Google Responds To Cash Back Concept is a post from: The Inquisitr