No, if you pay someone for a product or service and they deliver it to you, it’s not a scam. But some coaches make outrageous claims and guarantee enormous ROIs. Making a guarantee like this is illegal, and monitored by the Federal Trade Commission. So, any Amazon FBA course that makes a guarantee of success should immediately raise a red flag.
Also, coaches price their courses unfairly. Others no longer actively sell. Some may never have had an Amazon business. Certain courses lack quality information and production quality. These qualities lower the worth of the online FBA course. But, they don’t mean it’s a scam. To be a successful Amazon seller, you need to put in the work. Even if you buy one of these courses, it’s not realistic to expect automatic success. Making a profit will take some time.
This article will investigate nine Amazon FBA courses to help you determine if they are scams. We will also list some Amazon FBA horror stories and discuss basic steps to identify scam courses. Additionally, we will feature insights from Reddit and Quora. Finally, we will provide you with an alternative business model that can generate a passive monthly income of $500 - $3,000.
Are Amazon FBA Courses Scams? 8 Courses Discussed
1. Amazing Selling Machine
The Amazing Selling Machine (ASM) is a detailed Amazon FBA course, now in its 13th version, called ASM Evolution. The course costs $5,000 and offers an 8-week training program, monthly coaching calls, and access to a community of over 30,000 members. Despite the high price, ASM provides extensive training on Amazon FBA. But, it lacks real-world examples in key areas like PPC ads.
ASM excels with its community support. It has experienced sellers for guidance and a structured mentorship program. The course covers product research to scaling sales but can feel generic and less personal without a Facebook group. Despite these drawbacks, ASM remains a valuable resource for serious Amazon business builders.
Cost
$5000
What's Included
8-week online training with mentorship program and private community. You also get some bonus materials like useful templates and connections to product photographers.
Coach Qualifications and Status
Rich spent over 10 years in SEO and affiliate marketing. Mike is a former ASM student who became a 7-figure Amazon seller.
More Info
Amazing Selling Machine Reviews:
“I think the course is really really high quality, and there’s no doubt that a lot of people have made some serious money off the program. But I’ve noticed a lot of biased reviews really saying how amazing the course is just so they can get affiliate commission.”
Amazing Selling Machine Disclaimer:
Scam?
No. The Amazing Selling Machine is a great Amazon course. But, they also have a strong affiliate marketing community that pushes positive reviews on social media. Keep an eye out for honest reviews with details.
Worth It?
Maybe. With four experts behind it, there should be more real-world examples.
2. BJK University
BJK University, led by Bashar J Katou, offers a comprehensive Amazon FBA course focusing on private label products. The course covers key topics. These include: product research, supplier negotiation, Amazon PPC campaigns, and e-commerce strategies. It includes a six-week training module, bi-weekly webinars, and a year of unlimited Q&A sessions. Despite its thorough curriculum, reviews are mixed. This is because of concerns about limited access to Bashar. Also, there are generic mentor responses. And there is an influx of potentially fake Trustpilot reviews.
The course costs range from $3,800 to $5,000, with an additional $96 per month for mentorship after the first year. While the training is detailed, some students have found it too generic and not always up-to-date with current Amazon trends. BJK University is real. But, it has faced criticism for worse mentorship as student numbers grew. Potential students should carefully consider these factors before enrolling.
Cost
$3800
What's Included
6-week basic training, not detailed. More about life coaching and being a businessperson than specific strategies. When he is talking about selling, he teaches how to run a shop rather than a single profitable product.
Coach Qualifications and Status
Bashar started selling after 2015, when he massively failed in the restaurant business. He did better with FBA and retired his parents. He says he is a 7-figure seller first, and his guru role comes second.
More Info
Read Bashar's full disclaimer here.
BJK University Reviews:
“If you followed Bashar for any length of time, you can see he has a really amazing presence.”
Scam?
No. Some of Bashar’s marketing techniques come off a little slimy, but the school is not a scam.
Worth It?
Maybe. This school will help change your mindset, but there are more detailed FBA courses out there.
3. Proven Amazon Course
Cost
$29/month of $499 for lifetime access.
What's Included
An extensive collection of training videos about several Amazon FBA business models, along with a private forum and monthly webinars.
Coach Qualifications and Status
Jim says that he has been an active FBA and eBay seller since 1997.
More Info
Read Jim’s full disclaimer here. It hasn’t been updated since 2015.
Proven Amazon Course Reviews:
“The students are quite happy. They did a survey, and this is for people spending at least 15 hours per week on their business, and who are making $1,000 a month or more… They found the net average income was $70,866/year.”
Scam?
No. This is an informative, cost-effective online FBA course with an outstanding 30 day refund policy.
Worth It?
Yes! If you are a beginner, you might feel overwhelmed. So, start small by choosing which business model you would like to start before really digging into the content.
4. Blue Sky Amazon
Blue Sky Amazon by Sophie Howard is an Amazon FBA course that teaches individuals how to create and sell private-label products on Amazon. The course costs $3,495 or four monthly payments of $995 and includes a seven-day refund policy. Sophie’s training emphasizes practical strategies. For example, finding unique products in remote places to avoid competition and raise profits. The course covers all parts of Amazon FBA. This includes branding, product listings, and marketing..
However, there are mixed reviews about the course. Some students like the unique strategies and the Facebook group with weekly coaching calls. Others criticize the limited access to support and question the effectiveness of Sophie’s own businesses. Starting a successful FBA business is costly. It can cost from $10K to $15K. But, Sophie’s course aims to give valuable insights and tools to those willing to invest in the Amazon FBA model.
Cost
$3995
What's Included
Positive Amazon FBA course with weekly webinars and a conference.
Coach Qualifications and Status
Sophie built a few 7 figure businesses.
More Info
Blue Sky Amazon Reviews:
“It’s not a scam, it’s a legitimate program, and Sophie is a legitimate person as well.”
Blue Sky Amazon Disclaimer:
Scam?
No. Just because there is a shady refund policy does not mean the entire training is a scam.
Worth It?
Not really. There are better, higher quality courses out there that won’t hit you with such aggressive marketing techniques.
5. FBA Masterclass
FBA Masterclass by Tom Wang is an Amazon FBA training program that teaches how to create private label products from China and sell them on Amazon. The course costs $6,997. It covers key topics like product selection, sourcing, and marketing strategies. It includes the Rank & Bank system to improve listings. This system drives traffic using PPC campaigns. The course offers over 200 training modules, weekly mentorship calls, and access to a private Facebook group. Reviews are generally positive. They praise the training but note the high cost and lack of refunds.
Tom Wang is a successful Amazon seller. He launched FBA Masterclass in 2019 after making big sales with his own Amazon business. He focuses on low-ticket, everyday products to achieve higher profit margins. Despite the positive feedback. Some controversies include the high startup costs. Also, the intense competition on Amazon. Tom emphasizes continual learning and adaptation. They are crucial for success in the highly competitive Amazon FBA marketplace.
Cost
$6997
What's Included
A self-paced training with over 200 modules, a Facebook community, and access to 8-figure sellers.
Coach Qualifications and Status
Tom made over $5 million since 2017. Today, he is a mentor.
More info
FBA Masterclass Reviews:
“Tom Wang is legit. You can trust him. I know I can trust him from just the work that we’ve done and collaboration.”
FBA Masterclass Disclaimer:
6. The Wholesale Formula
The Wholesale Formula by Dan Meadors and Dylan Frost is an Amazon FBA course that focuses on Reverse Sourcing Wholesale. It involves buying products directly from manufacturers at wholesale prices. The course costs $2,497 and includes five modules with over 90 training videos, live coaching calls, and a private Facebook group. It teaches how to build relationships with brands. It also covers how to find profitable products and handle logistics.
Some students report big sales success. Others criticize the course for its high price and shallow guidance. However, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and has helped many achieve substantial revenue on Amazon.
Cost
$2997
What's Included
Over 90 training videos, along with a bonus course on virtual assistants. You also get $3000 worth of discounts on product research software.
Coach Qualifications and Status
As of 2024, they’ve done over $31 million in sales.
More Info
The Wholesale Formula has a very interesting disclaimer that literally breaks down some of their claims, along with where the numbers came from. They even include a contact for anyone who wants to see the numbers broken down further.
Wholesale Formula Reviews:
“For that price point, it should have everything in it.”
Scam?
No. Keep in mind that this course has a strong, straight-forward affiliate marketing program full of actually loyal customers.
Worth It?
Yes, but keep in mind that this course has a very intense following. You won’t just take a course, you will become part of a strict community.
7. Amazon FBA Winners Course
The FBA Winners Course by Tamara Tee is an online training program designed to help individuals start and run an Amazon FBA business. The course costs $1,997, or $599 per month for four months. It includes training videos and coaching. Also, a product checklist and lifetime access to materials and a private Facebook group. Tamara Tee, who has generated over $4 million in sales, offers her expertise through this course. Reviews are mixed. Some praise the training, but others criticize the support and market competitiveness.
Cost
$1997. This is NOT a free mini course, as her sales funnel leads you to believe.
What's Included
16 modules on everything from starting FBA to scaling, to setting up taxes. She also includes weekly lives and Facebook group.
Coach Qualifications and Statu
Tamara is a successful Amazon seller with an active YouTube following of over 72,000 people. She is currently selling, and does what is in the course herself. This allows her to make about $1 million in profit each year.
More Info
Read Tamara’s earnings disclaimer here.
Amazon FBA Winners Course Reviews:
"If you're wondering is she legit, yes. She is absolutely legit."
Scam?
No, but if you were looking for free FBA courses, Tamara’s funnel feels a little scammy.
Worth It?
Maybe. You will have lifetime access to the Facebook group, but you can find a lot of the information in the modules online.
4 FBA Course Scams Horror Stories
1. Amazing Wealth Systems Scam
Amazon sued Amazing Wealth Systems in 2017. In 2018, they also settled with the FTC. The three owners claimed they were affiliated with Amazon itself. They would hold expensive seminars, and claim whoever signed up could make $5K - $10K a month. Additional packages with AWS cost up to $35,000.
The gurus lost the case, and the FTC forced them to pay over $9.1 million back to their 13,348 customers. But they may end up paying up to $102 million if they lied about their holdings. In addition, the three owners can no longer market or sell business opportunities and business coach services. In February 2022, those customers got a second round of checks.
2. Seller Playbook Scam
In 2018, the FTC and State of Minnesota stopped the Sellers Playbook. Sellers Playbook was very similar to AWS. Their scammy seminars cost $1000 for 3 days of “information”. Once, a real seller asked legit questions during one of these seminars, and they were escorted out of the building.
Again, the owners of Sellers Playbook made false claims that consumers could make $20,000/month. The FTC refunded at least 350 people with checks of $3K. The owners (a husband and wife team, Matthew and Jessie Tieva) were charged with nine counts of fraud and alleged misrepresentations. This sent Matthew into a suicidal episode, which led to an hours long standoff with police.
3. Tanner J Fox Amazon FBA Seller Mastery Scam
Sometimes a course is the scammee, not the scammer. This was the case with the Tanner J Fox course, Amazon Seller Mastery. Scammers recreated the course so much that it was difficult to find the original course. Now, Tanner’s website no longer works, and he hasn’t made a YouTube video in over a year.
4. Business Went Under?
Sometimes, an FBA course isn’t a scam, but still fails. For instance, Jimmy Smith signed up for a coaching program and course for about $10K-$15K. He did all the research. The presenter had a multi-million dollar FBA business, and some students shared success stories. However, the course didn’t have a long history.
He got value from the course, but when he made a large order with their supplier, the company went under. They held their money, and Jimmy couldn’t get a hold of them. Finally, he complained in the course group, and they kicked him out.
How to Find Scam Amazon FBA Courses?
To find scam Amazon FBA courses, you will have to do your own research. Pay attention to:
- Claims made by the coach and salespeople
- Cost vs. what you get
- The coach’s qualifications and status. Are they still selling? Have they shifted their focus to other business models?
- Their disclaimer
- YouTube and Reddit reviews (but watch out for fake positive reviews from affiliate marketing programs).
- Trustpilot and Better Business Bureau reviews
These qualifications will help you find good courses vs. scammer courses. Often, when the FTC investigates an online business for fraudulent claims, the operation shuts down. For instance, you can’t sign up for the Sellers Project or Amazing Wealth Systems anymore.
But the FTC doesn't catch everyone right away. So many scammers copied the official Tanner J Fox Amazon FBA training course that it became difficult to find the actual course. From what I can tell, this played a role in pushing Tanner out of the space.Let's look at some current courses and decide: Are Amazon FBA courses scams?
Are Amazon FBA Courses Worth It?
Yes, Amazon FBA courses are worth it, but it's crucial to choose a high-quality, non-fraudulent course. Good courses should have these qualities:
- Coincides with your business model
- Updated within the last year
- Contains in-depth information
- Has a high production quality
- Provides access to an online community
- Allows you to speak with an expert
- Bonus resources, like tools and PDFs.
Do You Need Expensive Amazon FBA Courses to Sell on Amazon?
No, you don't need expensive Amazon FBA courses to sell on Amazon. There are many affordable courses with great information. But, you don’t need a course at all to have success on Amazon. You can do it on your own, too. There’s a mountain of information online and on YouTube. A quality, affordable course will simply help you avoid common mistakes and might shorten your time to ROI.
Are Amazon FBA Courses Scams Per Reddit?
Yes, Amazon FBA courses are scams per Reddit. Redditors are skeptical about Amazon FBA courses. For example, iWantBots claims that most of these courses are run by fake gurus. They make money mainly from selling courses, not from actual Amazon sales. Another user, I_will_be_wealthy, warns that starting with Amazon FBA is very risky. It involves high upfront costs and the potential for your account to be deactivated, which can leave you stranded without a backup plan. They suggest focusing on your own e-commerce store as your primary business, using Amazon and eBay as extra sales channels.
Additionally, loganedwards recommends looking at free resources. These include YouTube courses from Jungle Scout. They are a way to start without paying for courses. They point out that these free courses cover basic tools and concepts. But, the unique challenges of running an Amazon FBA business are different for each seller. These challenges can include the product category, competition, and supply chain issues. Ultimately, both free and paid courses provide only a basic framework. Joining a supportive mastermind group might help. They are good for solving unique, business-specific problems.
Are Amazon FBA Courses Scams Per Quora?
No, Amazon FBA courses are not scams per Quora. Quora users agree that not all Amazon FBA courses are scams. But, it's crucial to evaluate the credibility and experience of the instructors before investing. Ahmed Saad, believe that these courses are not scams if they provide genuine value and business knowledge. He notes that while the courses can be expensive, they can help individuals generate income and connect with investors. ]
However, he also points out that many of the skills taught in these courses can be learned for free through resources like Google and YouTube. Jordi Ordóñez agrees that not all Amazon FBA courses are scams. But, he cautions that many course creators lack real experience selling private label products. It makes it difficult for beginners to identify credible instructors.
Cris Jordan adds that a good quality Amazon FBA course can be a shortcut to success. It saves time and money by teaching crucial information quickly. He argues that while it is possible to succeed without a course, the process often involves a lengthy and costly trial-and-error period.
Conclusion: Why Local Lead Gen Outperforms Amazon FBA?
Local lead generation outperforms Amazon FBA primarily because of lower startup costs and simpler operations. You can start a local lead generation business with just a few hundred dollars. This will cover essential expenses like web hosting, domains, and SEO tools. In contrast, Amazon FBA typically needs an initial investment of $5,000 to $10,000. This is for bulk product sourcing, international shipping, and Amazon PPC ads. This makes local lead generation much more accessible for those with limited budgets.
In terms of competition, local lead generation is significantly less fierce. Amazon FBA sellers face competition from 9.7 million sellers worldwide. These include large brands and manufacturers with unbeatable prices. In contrast, local lead generation businesses compete with only 10-20 local companies. This makes it easier to stand out and secure clients. Also, local lead generation can be more passive. It needs less ongoing management than Amazon FBA. FBA involves constant product sourcing, advertising, and inventory management. This simplicity and less competition make local lead generation more attractive. It is also more manageable.
Begin your journey by researching high-demand niches and use our easy click-and-drag builder to create stunning websites with no coding knowledge. Also, leverage cutting-edge SEO tactics and our community support to dominate Google rankings. Once ranked, rent your site to local businesses, earning $500-$2500 a month passively. That makes local lead generation better than Amazon FBA.
I've heard great things about Amazing Selling Machine, but it's a little too expensive for my blood. Even with the 40% discount currently going on.