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Microsoft's Cashback: Changing the Internet Industry Forever

Continuing the thought above. Found the below on the Cashback for Advertises page.

Live Search cashback offers:
Direct customer rewards on selected items, with cash back on every transaction. You can establish the amount of cash back you want to reward customers. Additionally, you have direct control on how your products are listed compared to the competition.

Microsoft's Cashback: Changing the Internet Industry Forever

Why is everyone assuming the MSFT is shelling out the big bucks? What really is the model here? If MSFT is picking up the cashback discount amouny what criteria is being used to differentiate between say, 2 retailers selling the same thing. MSFT wants to reward loyal customers to use Cashback, but the dynamics of the transaction would sure be interesting to understand.

Microsoft Partners with PayPal to Launch Cashback

Use the war to your advantage! Has anyone used this before. I have - and it works like this - search using your favorite search engine, retailer, local store - for the lowerst price. Go to Live Search Cashback and you will typically find that same low price + an additional 5-15% discount. Based on what it is, most smaller merchants have free shipping. I recently purchased car seats for my kids which were $150 minimum + shipping / tax. Live Search Cashback - same price $150 but merchants were offering an additional 7-10% off, no shipping, no tax. Saved 30 bucks! Stop thinking about google, think about yourself and come out ahead!

India’s Labor Arbitrage Strategy

Wow! Its great to come up with revolutionary ideas and to dream big. But where is the dose of reality? What are each of these 6000 SLUMS going to do? Why not instead propose a model for industrial centers in rural areas (much like the MIDC’s in Maharashtra) and let people go where they will. One may draw a parallel to the Button/Zipper cities in China but to think that there 6000 SLUMS are going to offer world class IT services is .. the nightmare ending to the dream. Visit rural India and get some perspective.

India's Exploding Real Estate Market: Shades of the Florida Condo Bubble

Talking to an ICICI investment rep in India recently I was advised that stocks in India will always go up at double digit rates. There is a strong bubble mentality. You have to recognize just by visiting branches of most brokerages - that most reps are very young. All they know about the stock market is that last few years when the Indian market has quadrupled. The reps seem to be trained to sell recent history and make everyone visiting feel like they are missing out! India should do very well in coming years, there are too many people with increasing power and desire to purchase, as well as take on debt. I am hoping for a large dip so I can get in (esp. into financials) at better valuations.

Claymore's S&P Global Water Index: BRICs, Water and You

Thanks for the insights Robert. So which is a better long term buy among CGW, PIO and KWICX. Will appreciate your perspective. Thank you!