A funny thing happened on the way to eBay.... I got this 3x offer in my personal e-mail this morning. I saw it before I was going to work. I immediately enrolled and then went shopping. I purchased a qualifying item that was on my watch list. Only after I paid for the item did I notice the offer started at 08:00 PT. I bought the item at 07:25 EST. (~3.5 hours before the offer started). LOL. I've asked eBay if I can get the extra eBucks. If not, I've learned to read every written word in their offers before acting...
I too have done that. Purchased a $400+ item once, expecting big cash back, and then realized I was a few hours early!
Well in my excitement to: A) actually get an eBucks offer B) and respond to it before I forgot about it I didn't notice the starting time. I saw 2/23-2/24 and ignored everything else...I hit the "activate" button and bought something... In the future, I'll wait until 11:00 EST.
Did you ever petition eBay to get the added bucks? I did that, but don't expect much. I realize it was my mistake, but it never hurts to ask.
"If" you receive an invite you have to activate it and then go buy. As for how and whom, good question. I just did my mailing supply shopping.
I think you have to agree to get certain daily e-mails from them. You authorize that in your profile. Be prepared for an onslaught of e-mails!
I have two accounts, a buying and selling. I do LOTS of business on both, and never get offers. My wife has an unused account, and got an offer once. I purchased a few items, now she gets all kinds of offers. I buy like crazy with her's when she gets them now, and never use her account without an offer. I guess ebay thinks they are getting extra business by offering her, but in reality I just change what account I am currently buying with