If you’re here, chances are you’ve seen the advertisement for Amazon Sharks. It’s a course run by Andrew Minalto and boasts of helping UK-based students quit their 9 to 5 jobs by starting an Amazon FBA business. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, I’m here to give you an honest review.
Firstly, let’s be real – running a successful Amazon FBA business is no piece of cake. If it were, why would Andrew Minalto be selling online programmes about it? It’s not like he wants more competition for himself if it’s the best way to make money online. That being said, some students have indeed found success with Amazon Sharks. But how many of them? That’s something I’ll discuss further.
Apart from talking about the pros and cons of the Amazon FBA business, I’ll also compare it to dropshipping – something that people often ask me about. But wait, there’s more! I’ll also be sharing with you an alternative that has worked wonders for me. It’s something that has allowed me to make a four-figure monthly income right after graduating from college.
So, let’s dive in and see if Amazon Sharks is worth the hype!
Table of Contents
Amazon Sharks Course Overview: Learn to Master Amazon FBA
The Amazon Sharks course is divided into ten modules, each covering a different aspect of the Amazon FBA business. In Module 1, you’ll start with the basics, and gradually work your way up to more advanced topics like advertising and international expansion.
One thing I really like about this course is that it’s suitable for beginners. Andrew, the course instructor, goes over all the basics of Amazon FBA, so you won’t feel confused with the hands-on tasks or having to google every detail yourself.
In Module 2, Andrew covers market research, and in Module 3, you’ll learn how to source products. There are also lessons on branding, listing creation, and fulfillment by Amazon.
Andrew emphasizes that it’s not always about finding the rare product that might have massive growth potential. Instead, it’s more about what to do after you’ve selected a trending product, particularly optimizing your listing, which is what matters most to your business.
You’ll also learn how to use paid Facebook traffic to boost your Amazon listing, which is a strategy that’s been proven to work.
In addition to the main modules, there are two bonus modules: International Expansion and Manufacturing Paradise.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or already have some experience, you’re sure to learn something new from this course.
Learn more: How To Sell On Amazon: 10 Proven Steps For Beginners
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Amazon FBA vs. Shopify Dropshipping: Which is Better for Beginners?
Many people ask whether they should invest in an Amazon FBA course or a Shopify dropshipping course to start their online business. While I’m not a big fan of either model, if I had to choose, I would always go for Amazon FBA.
Some may prefer dropshipping because it doesn’t require you to hold any inventory, and your supplier delivers each order directly to your customer. However, most newbies aren’t aware of the hidden costs associated with Shopify dropshipping. They often rely too much on Facebook ads, and the profit margins are usually much thinner than they think.
In contrast, Amazon FBA has the potential to generate passive income because you can tap into the existing traffic on the platform. With dropshipping, you’re always required to use Facebook ads, which makes every sale tricky.
The problems with Facebook ads are many. They have a huge fluctuation in performance and ad cost every day, which requires you to constantly monitor your data. Most newbies could lose a few thousand dollars in a week since they’re not experienced. When every seller is promoting the same hot products, you can quickly exhaust your leads. Facebook ad traffic is not as steady as organic free traffic where people actually seek you out.
At the end of the day, you have to pay a large portion of your revenue to Facebook, and it’s Mark Zuckerberg who will be the big winner.
However, it doesn’t mean I’d recommend you to bet your money on Amazon either. If you’re new to online business, it’s better to start with something much safer that costs you a lot less money.
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Why Don’t I Recommend Amazon Sharks?
While the idea of running a successful online business can be appealing, it’s essential to understand the realities of the Amazon marketplace. Here are a few reasons why I don’t recommend the Amazon Sharks course or the FBA business model.
Large Upfront Cost
Starting an FBA business can be an expensive endeavor. You will need to invest a minimum of $15-20k upfront. This amount covers everything from product samples, inventory, labeling, shipping, and Amazon Marketing Services. In most cases, the initial investment of $10k will be exhausted once you start selling on Amazon. Therefore, it’s crucial to consider whether you’re willing to risk your hard-earned money.
Complexity of the FBA Business Model
While Amazon does much of the work for you, starting and running an FBA business can be a complex process. You must handle numerous dry tasks such as negotiating with suppliers, comparing shipping companies, and complying with Amazon’s policies and local government regulations. This process can be time-consuming and sophisticated for beginners who are looking for a side hustle or a source of passive income that requires little time and investment.
Slow Cash Flow
Cash flow is essential for any business, but it’s a significant challenge for Amazon FBA businesses. Most sellers have to invest a considerable amount of money to purchase inventories from suppliers in China, and creating a unique private label product can be even more costly. Production and shipping may take up to months before you’re paid for the inventory you bought.
Price War Reduces Profitability
Price wars are common on Amazon, and whenever a seller tries to attract more customers by lowering prices, other sellers will be forced to cut their prices as well. To avoid a net loss, you might have to cut product costs, which can result in lower product quality, negative feedback from customers, and a drop in sales.
Learn more:
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Is Andrew Minalto a Scam?
Andrew Minalto is not a scam. He’s actually an Amazon FBA coach who provides legitimate programs to help people succeed in their business ventures. However, it’s important to note that making money on Amazon has become increasingly difficult in recent years.
While Andrew may teach you everything he knows about Amazon FBA, it’s not a guaranteed path to success.
Final Verdict
Starting an Amazon FBA business can be a profitable endeavor, but it comes with significant challenges. The intense competition, changing sales tax laws, category restrictions, and Amazon policies can make it difficult to succeed.
Moreover, a single mistake can lead to a permanent account ban. Therefore, it’s crucial to consider whether the risks and costs associated with the FBA business model are worth it.
If you’re looking to make money online, I have a better recommendation for you.
My personal recommendation has allowed me to make a 4-figure monthly passive income, even as a recent college graduate. It’s completely legitimate and sustainable, unlike some get-rich-quick schemes out there. So, if you’re interested in learning more about my recommendation, keep reading!
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Best Alternative To Amazon Sharks For Making Money Online
Are you looking for an online business model that doesn’t require an initial investment and can be done as a side-hustle? Look no further than affiliate marketing! Out of all the business models out there, affiliate marketing has been the easiest and most rewarding for me so far.
With affiliate marketing, you can run your business with almost zero cost and without the hassle of creating and developing products or managing inventory and customer service. Plus, you can enjoy a steady stream of passive income while working a full-time job or going on vacation. It’s a low-risk business model that’s perfect for the uncertain times we live in.
But just how much can you earn with affiliate marketing? Well, one 21-year-old student from my #1 recommended training platform, Wealthy Affiliate, was able to earn $7,395 in just one week using free traffic methods and affiliate marketing. And Wealthy Affiliate has been around for over 10 years, with many success stories to show for it.
You can check out my full review of Wealthy Affiliate here.
If you’re interested in joining Wealthy Affiliate, it’s easy and affordable. They offer both free and premium memberships, with no upsells to worry about. As a free member, you can access the community, live chat, over 500 training modules, 2 classrooms, networking, commenting, 1 free website, and the keyword tool. And if you later decide to upgrade to premium, you’ll get access to everything Wealthy Affiliate has to offer.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to start your own online business and achieve financial freedom. Sign up for a free account with Wealthy Affiliate today and see for yourself what it has to offer!
Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative
Jeff Smith, Founder of High Income Source, is an online business coach with a BBA in Marketing and Entrepreneurship from the University of Pennsylvania. His online business coaching program is so popular that more than 100 students have benefited and started successful online businesses under his guidance.
Jeff started dabbling in online business while he was in college, where he began with dropshipping. After college, Jeff worked at a marketing agency and freelanced as a writer. His breakthrough came when he realized the potential of blogging, leading to a $100,000 sale of a dog-focused website. His expertise includes SEO, affiliate marketing, Amazon FBA, blogging and dropshipping.