Smart FBA is an Amazon business automation agency founded by Cohen Chorabik, Philip Kramer and Scott Hunt. They provide complete FBA automation services that allow you to start or own an Amazon FBA business. One of their main selling points is you can get access to Amazon’s popular restricted brands at wholesale prices. Some of these brands include Adidas, Nike, Calvin Klein, The North Face and much more. Since the demand for these products is usually higher and requires licensing, this exclusive offer gives you an advantage over millions of Amazon sellers worldwide.
The Smart FBA team aims to help you build a profitable passive income stream by automating your Amazon store operations. They have a dedicated team that will handle the daily tasks for you, including Amazon account setup, Amazon product listing and optimization, inventory management, order fulfillment, product research, logistics, monthly sales report and much more.
What is Amazon FBA and How it Works
FBA stands for Fulfillment by Amazon. It’s a service provided by Amazon that allows you to sell products using its platform. It also allows you to outsource order fulfillment to Amazon's vast logistics network. With FBA service, Amazon will take care of inventory management, including product storage, packing and shipment.
How Amazon FBA Works
First, you need an Amazon seller account to use the FBA feature. If you have one already, log in to Amazon Seller Central and add the FBA service.
Be sure your products are ready before sending them to Amazon’s fulfillment centers. Some of the items you need to check include boxes, paper or bubble mailers and packing materials like air fillers or bubble wraps. Keep in mind that Amazon is strict with its packaging policies. So, be sure to label and pack your products according to Amazon’s requirements. Here are some guide samples:
- Packaging Set Products
- Packaging Poly-Bag Units
Once your items are ready, send them to the nearest designated Amazon fulfillment center. From there, Amazon will handle the product distribution and delivery schedules for customers.
Amazon has a dedicated team to ensure your products are stored properly in their warehouse until order placement.
Amazon’s platform automatically processes order placement when a customer places an order.
Amazon’s staff picks up the ordered item from their inventory, packs and prepares it for shipment.
Customer service is another perk you get with Amazon FBA. They also have a dedicated team to manage customer inquiries, product returns and refunds on your behalf.
Advantages of Amazon FBA
Challenges You May Encounter as an Amazon FBA Seller
Pros and Cons of Smart FBA
Pros
Provides Complete Amazon FBA Automation Services: Smart FBA provides complete Amazon automation solutions. They will do all the work for you, including product research, inventory, logistics, brand management, listing optimization, customer service and much more.
Offers Wholesale Pricing: Smart FBA offers wholesale pricing to help their clients increase revenues and profits.
Get Access To Hundreds of Popular Brands: This is another key selling point of Smart FBA. Clients can gain access to popular restricted brands and can get them at wholesale prices. With this exclusive offer, you can expect higher revenues.
Streamlined Onboarding Process: New clients undergo a streamlined onboarding process to ensure they understand the system and tools they need to use.
They Have a Handful of Positive Reviews: So far, Smart FBA has ZERO negative reviews. They have a handful of video testimonials posted on their website and YouTube channel. I have also seen some positive feedback about their services on Reddit.
They Have Dedicated and Experienced Staff Members: With Smart FBA, you work with an experienced team. According to the website, the company has now 40 employees.
They Also Have a Secure Storage Facility: Smart FBA has a 30,000 square feet warehouse, ready to accommodate your products.
Cons
High Capital Investment: Investing in Smart FBA can be costly. Ideally, you’ll need a minimum of $20,000 to $25,000 for the first quarter and at least $5,000 the following months prior to ramping up to the fourth quarter.
Getting Approval For Restricted Amazon Brands Takes Time: There is no actual time frame on when you can get approval from restricted brands. But according to Cohen, CMO and co-founder of Smart FBA, it usually takes 8 to 12 months to get approved by popular brands.
No Refund: There’s no refund policy indicated. So, be sure to do your due diligence before investing.
Price
$20,000 to $80,000
Origin
2020
Location
Flower Mound, Texas
Reputation
YT - 2.24k subscribers | FB - 830 followers | IG - 15.8k followers
Smart FBA Packages and Service Inclusions
Who is Smart FBA For?
What Do People Say About Smart FBA?
Many people are saying good things about Smart FBA. They have clients who have been with them for over a year and had great results working with them. Their followers on YouTube are also commending their video tutorials. So far, there are no complaints about their services.
Smart FBA Reviews: Success Stories
Success Story #1: Payton (Entrepreneur)
Payton invested in Smart FBA last May 2021. His Amazon store generated $10,894 in total gross revenue in the first quarter of the year. According to Payton, he just followed the formula that Smart FBA has provided him. He kept his inventory flow high to maximize growth opportunities. Payton also commended the Smart FBA’s support team. He mentioned that they are available to address his concerns or queries.
Success Story #2: Imad (Real Estate Investor)
Imad invested in Smart FBA in 2021. As a real estate investor, Imad already had a long-term vision. He also knew that he had to keep investing during his first year with Smart FBA to keep his Amazon store more stable and more profitable in the future. And in just under 12 months, Imad’s store has generated over $200,000 in revenue.
Who Founded Smart FBA?
Scott Hunt, Phili Kramer and Cohen Chorabik founded Smart FBA in 2020. They have years of experience in IT, e-commerce and entrepreneurship. Each of them also has specific roles in this organization
Scott Hunt
Scott Hunt is the CEO and co-founder of Smart FBA. He graduated Summa Cum Laude at Capella University. Scott has always been passionate about discovering opportunities and innovation. Over the years, he has earned over 50 certifications in AI and machine learning. According to the website, Scott has designed an e-commerce tool that is now used by hundreds of businesses in the US. He was also part of the dev team that has been featured on MIT.
Phili Kramer
Philip Kramer is the COO and co-founder of Smart FBA. He is the agency’s communications and systems expert. Before Philip entered entrepreneurship, he had a corporate job and was successful in climbing up the ladder. But after years of hard work, he left his VP position to focus on building scalable systems and models to help entrepreneurs. Streamlining operations and building cost-efficient solutions have always been his strongest suit. He has sold over 8 figures using different online channels, including Amazon.
Cohen Chorabik
Cohen Chorabik is the COO and co-founder of Smart FBA. He has a proven track record in e-commerce and has helped numerous clients scale their Amazon business. Cohen has been featured in several prestigious publications, including Forbes, Yahoo, The Guardian, Business Day and others. Like Philip, Cohen also left his corporate job to pursue digital consulting and entrepreneurship.
Is Smart FBA a Scam?
No, Smart FBA is not a scam. This Amazon FBA automation agency has been operating since 2020. And so far, there are no complaints about their services. The founders of Smart FBA are also reputable in the world of e-commerce. However, it’s hard to find genuine reviews from other reliable sources. Additionally, Smart FBA is not for everyone. Be sure to do your due diligence before joining the program.
3 Things To Keep in Mind Before Investing in Smart FBA
Amazon FBA or Smart FBA is a long-term investment. That means it takes time to build and grow your Amazon store before hitting your monthly sales goals. On average, you will notice real results after 12 months.
Since Smart FBA does not guarantee any profits or returns, it is best to measure risk tolerance to avoid financial hiccups in the long run. The good thing is Smart FBA also conducts a quick assessment to evaluate their potential clients and if this is the right investment option for them.
Smart FBA is an expensive venture. Apart from the minimum startup cost of $20,000, you also need to prepare for the ongoing expenses. In this business model, you need to keep investing in your inventory to optimize your listings and rack up some sales. Here’s a breakdown of expenses with Smart FBA:
Amazon Store Setup - $15,000 to $20,000
Restricted brand access - $1,250 per brand
Other fees/reserves/ mandatory expenses - $1,000 per restricted brand monthly
Can You Still Make Money with Amazon FBA in 2023?
Yes, you can still make money with Amazon FBA in 2023, but it’s going to be tough. Amazon’s competitive marketplace has raised the bar for both new and existing merchants. It requires time, money and continuous effort to keep you in the game.
Apart from finding profitable products to sell, you also need a dynamic business model and robust marketing strategies. Even when you partner with a reputable agency that provides Amazon FBA automation services, you can’t expect guaranteed results. That’s why it’s important to do your due diligence before starting an Amazon FBA business.You can also check our guide on common Amazon FBA mistakes.
8 Tips To Succeed in Amazon FBA
The first step is to determine the right products to sell. Find out the most profitable and in-demand Amazon products. Some key factors to consider when conducting product research include sales rank, competition and estimate profit margins.
Bonus Tip: Conducting keyword research can help you find products that are currently in demand on Amazon.
Your product listings should be compelling and informative. Use high-quality images and write detailed, accurate and concise product descriptions. Like Google, Amazon also has dynamic search algorithms. Invest in premium keywords software like Ahrefs to identify competitive keywords in your niche.
Bonus Tip: Using A+ Content can help improve your rankings. Produce sales copy intended for your potential customers. It should be descriptive, but clear and concise.
Investing in Amazon FBA can save you time and effort and focus on growing your business. With FBA, you can ensure fast and reliable shipping, which translates to better customer satisfaction or positive Amazon review and better rankings.
Consistent inventory management is crucial to your Amazon business. Monitor your inventory levels to determine whether you need to replenish your stocks. As much as possible, avoid running out of stocks as this can negatively affect your sales and search rankings.
Like Google, Amazon’s marketplace is constantly changing. Always keep track of the latest trends. Be prepared for any changes and make adjustments to your strategies whenever needed.
Positive reviews can instantly enhance your credibility as a merchant. This can also help improve your products and services. Overall product review rating is another key metric in Amazon’s search algorithms.
Side Note: Never attempt to create or pay for fake reviews. Amazon can easily detect these and you can get penalized for it.
Use Amazon’s advertising feature strategically to boost the visibility of your store. Target high-performing and relevant keywords and consider launching paid ad campaigns to boost sales.
Bonus Tip: Leverage social media and other marketing channels to generate traffic to your Amazon store. This can help boost your brand presence and help attract more potential customers.Smart FBA Alternatives
So, Is Smart FBA Worth it in 2023?
Yes, investing in Smart FBA can still be worth it in 2023. It’s a legitimate Amazon FBA automation agency. They have a dedicated and skilled team that can walk you through their processes and systems. However, keep in mind that this is not for everybody. It’s important to study their business model carefully and measure your investment risk tolerance.
As mentioned, it’s an expensive venture without guaranteed results. And while this can be a great passive income opportunity, it’s also considered a high-risk investment. But if you’re really into e-commerce and you have the budget, then this can work for you.
Final Thoughts: Local Lead Generation is a More Profitable Business Model than FBA
If you’re looking for a better passive income opportunity, local lead generation remains my top recommendation. Compared to Amazon FBA or Smart FBA, this is a more cost-efficient and profitable business model. With local lead generation, there’s no need to spend $20,000 to $25,000 just to set up a store. There are no physical properties involved, so you’re immune to financial losses due to lost or damaged products.
Another advantage of local lead generation over FBA is profitability The average profit margin for Amazon sellers can go between 15% and 25%. For local lead generation, the profit margin can go up to 90%, making it a more lucrative and scalable business model than FBA.
I have done it for a year and spent 55K. More than half of my inventory is sold and I have 9K in my account. If you do the math that is a huge loss. They are telling me to keep investing and that my store will perform better the more money I invest. After a huge loss that sounds like insanity.