Proven Amazon Course Review (2023): Jim Cockrum Scam?!

Are you looking to learn how to sell successfully on Amazon? Well, you might want to check out the Proven Amazon Course, which is a comprehensive Amazon FBA course that covers everything you need to know.

With this course, you’ll learn how to find profitable products, list them for sale, and optimize your listings to improve their ranking in search results. Plus, they’ll provide detailed instructions on how to use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) to store your items at the warehouse and ship them quickly when orders come in.

As someone who’s taken the Proven Amazon Course, I’m happy to share everything I know about the program. 

And hey, I’ll also let you know about a better alternative that’s helped me generate a full-time passive income online. So keep reading!

Proven Amazon Course Review – Key Takeaways

  • Course Name: Proven Amazon Course
  • Owner: Jim Cockrum
  • Website: https://provenamazoncourse.com/
  • Price: $29/month or $499 for lifetime access
  • Pros: Lots of success stories; active private community; money-back guarantee
  • Cons: Outdated core training; PowerPoint-style videos; overwhelming amount of content
  • Overall Rating: 3.5/5

Here’s what I’ll cover In this Proven Amazon Course review.

What is Proven Amazon Course? 

Proven Amazon Course (PAC) is an online course that aims to teach you how to build a business on Amazon.

PAC stands out from the rest of the Amazon courses because it covers multiple strategies for selling and making money on Amazon, rather than just one.

Within the course, the following strategies are taught:

  1. Private Label
  2. Wholesale
  3. Buy Local, Sell on Amazon
  4. Replenishables (Replens)
  5. Online Arbitrage
  6. Selling on Amazon.com from outside the USA
  7. Merch by Amazon
  8. Kindle Direct Publishing
  9. Product Bundling

In addition to Amazon e-commerce, the course covers topics like Shopify and best accounting practices.

PAC was created by Jim Cockrum who boasts an excellent track record in the digital business. It contains a wide selection of video tutorials, PDFs, webinar recordings, and other curated learning resources. 

There is also a Proven Amazon Course group on Facebook and a traditional Amazon FBA forum that provides the opportunity to interact directly with other sellers.

How does Proven Amazon Course help you make money?

The Proven Amazon Course (PAC) is an online course designed to help you start and grow an Amazon FBA business.

Compared to other Amazon courses we’ve reviewed, PAC covers more than one method for selling things and making money on Amazon.

Among the many techniques covered in the course are the following:

  • Private Label
  • Wholesale
  • Buy Local, Sell on Amazon
  • Replenishables (Replens)
  • Online Arbitrage
  • Selling on Amazon.com from outside the USA
  • Merch by Amazon
  • Kindle Direct Publishing
  • Product Bundling

The course material also includes information on e-commerce platforms besides Amazon, such as Shopify and good accounting techniques.

Who is Jim Cockrum?

Jim Cockrum is the founder of Proven Amazon Course. His eBay and online businesses have sold millions of dollars in products and services and he has helped thousands of others start and grow successful businesses online since 2000.

Jim Cockrum

As an Internet entrepreneur, Jim has been working from home since 2002 with his wife and five children who all enjoy the freedom of an Internet lifestyle. Over 100,000 people subscribe to his free newsletter, “CES News”.

In addition to appearing in the Wall Street Journal, Men’s Health Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine, and eBay radio, he hosts a weekly radio program called “Creative Internet Income Strategies”.

His all-time best-seller “The Silent Sales Machine” describes eBay, Amazon, and Creative Internet marketing success. It is estimated that over 200,000 people have read that book.

How is the training structured?

The Proven Amazon Course is filled with so many resources that putting them all on this page probably won’t suffice.

The following are the 17 most important mini-courses from this program:

  • Amazon 101 Course
  • Proven Private Label
  • Proven Q4 Plan
  • Proven Performance Inventory
  • Proven Wholesale Sourcing
  • Proven Online Sourcing Strategies
  • Product Sourcing Masterclass
  • Buy Local Sell to the World
  • Promotional Company Sourcing
  • Proven Product Partnering
  • eBay to Amazon Arbitrage
  • Proven Bundling Course
  • Proven Book Sourcing
  • Coffee Masterclass
  • Proven Merch Course
  • Proven Team Building
  • AZ Refund Guide

In the “Start Here” and “Next Steps” sections, you will find the most basic lessons. When you are starting out, do not skip the sections dealing with Amazon FBA basics and Amazon FBA basics.

The course will then teach you how Fulfillment by Amazon works, how different types of Amazon customers work, and how to build your Amazon FBA business.

Depending on where you are on your Amazon selling journey, you can pick up the rest of the courses anytime.

These mini-courses are only part of the overall program. You will have access to a wealth of resources in the Proven Amazon Course to organize all aspects of your Amazon business.

Amazon 101 Course

This course lays the foundations for building your Amazon business. It explains how to earn money from Amazon selling – fast and easy.

Proven Private Label

The private label venture can be complicated, but this course will take you through the step-by-step process of owning your own products and all the nitty-gritty, from development through sourcing to launch.

Proven Q4 Plan

Proven Q4 Plan is a virtual boot camp that only occurs in the fourth quarter of the year (the boot camp actually doesn’t start until September).

The holiday season and festivities make Q4 a profitable time of year. As a result, this boot camp aims to teach participants how to make the most of this and prepare for the new year.

It gives you access to older content from the last few years of the bootcamp.

Proven Performance Inventory

You will learn how to find high-margin, low-competition niches using Proven Performance Inventory.

These products are called “golden gaps” by Amazon expert Brett Bartlett. If you attend this webinar, he will teach you where to find these gaps.

Proven Wholesale Sourcing

Four top Amazon experts will share their most valuable tips for finding wholesale deals worldwide.

Also included are videos from past Proven Conference live events that explain why and how wholesalers seek out businesses like yours. Videos are from past Proven Conference live events.

Proven Online Sourcing Strategies

Including arbitrage, source types, budgeting, and tracking, this 7-hour course covers the most effective methods of sourcing profitable products online to sell on Amazon and eBay.

Product Sourcing Masterclass

You will learn more than 30 product sourcing strategies to boost your Amazon and eBay business with Product Sourcing Masterclass. 

Buy Local Sell to the World

A large number of Amazon FBA businesses outsource products from overseas. That’s not the case in this training.

Buying local products and selling them globally for huge profits is one of the main points of Buy Local Sell to the World.

Promotional Company Sourcing

Throughout this course, you will discover how to create exclusive Amazon bundles using promotional companies and launch a private label product within a few weeks.

Proven Product Partnering

The Proven Product Partnering program teaches you how to locate brand owners and popular products that aren’t on Amazon, so they can get on board.

eBay to Amazon Arbitrage Guide

eBay remains a gold mine of new and undiscovered merchandise. The eBay to Amazon Arbitrage Guide is the course for anyone looking to source products at huge discounts and list them on Amazon for a profit.

Proven Bundling Course

The Proven Bundling Course will teach you how to create smart, creative bundles that will leave your competition scrambling. The course is designed to create high-demand, high-profit, and hard to duplicate listings without losing capital.

Proven Book Sourcing

The Proven Book Sourcing course teaches you how to identify promising yet underappreciated books or books that have yet to be released by mainstream publishers and sell them on Amazon.

Coffee Masterclass

One of the most popular online products to sell is coffee. The Coffee Masterclass is the first step on the path to building a successful coffee brand. 

Proven Merch Course

It’s easy to produce and sell custom shirts on Amazon with no upfront costs or minimum print requirements. The Proven Merch Course will show you how to do it right.

Proven Team Building

If you are scaling your business, you should focus on its most important aspects. Business success often lies in the team. This often means investing in people.

The Proven Team Building course shows you how to bring your eCommerce business to the next level.

AZ Refund Guide

Refunds on Amazon, and eCommerce in general, are common things. This Amazon Refund Guide will show you ten different methods to get reimbursed for refunds that may have slipped through the cracks.

Who is Proven Amazon Course for?

If you’re looking to get into ecommerce but don’t know where to start, Proven Amazon Course (PAC) is a great option. It covers a wide range of subtopics, giving you a good overview of different ways to sell on Amazon. This allows you to explore each area and dive deeper into the ones that interest you the most.

But, it’s not just for beginners. Experienced Amazon sellers can also benefit from PAC’s advanced strategies. The course offers numerous modules for everyone, from brand new sellers to those with more experience.

It’s important to be careful when buying an Amazon training program, especially if you’re new to working online. Often, you have to invest a significant amount of money beyond the cost of the training. However, PAC is one of the few courses that covers relatively easy and low-cost ways to get started selling on Amazon.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Are Proven Amazon Course students getting results?

Well, judging from the many testimonials on the PAC sales page and the frequent success stories shared in the private Facebook group, it seems like a resounding yes! Despite the increased competitiveness in the Amazon FBA space, plenty of PAC students are seeing good results.

What sets Proven Amazon Course apart from other FBA courses is that it teaches multiple strategies for selling on Amazon, so students aren’t limited to just one method or formula. This gives them the flexibility to find what works best for them and their business.

How much does Proven Amazon Course cost?

For only $29 per month, or a one-time payment of $499, you can get unlimited access to all of their resources.

Compared to other Amazon courses out there, Proven Amazon Course offers quite a reasonable price. However, keep in mind that implementing some of the Amazon sales tactics suggested in the course may require additional financial investment for software tools, inventory, advertising, and other expenses.

Proven Amazon Course recommends that you should have at least $200 to start with a “Buy Local, Sell To The World” or a similar plan. But if you’re planning to launch and sell your own Amazon private label product, you might need to invest a minimum of $5000.

Proven Amazon Course Discount?

Unfortunately, it looks like there aren’t any discounts currently available for the Proven Amazon Course (PAC). 

However, I have heard about a rare $100 discount in the past for lifetime access to the course

So keep an eye out for any future promotions, you never know what might pop up!

Refund Policy

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee stated on the sales page and at checkout for Proven Amazon Course.

Proven Amazon Course money-back guarantee

Contact them within 30 days of receipt for a full refund (or credit, if desired) if you are not satisfied with your purchase.

Praise for Proven Amazon Course

1. Lots of success stories

One thing that sets the Proven Amazon Course apart from others is the sheer amount of success stories and testimonials from students. This is a good indication that the course has helped many people start and grow their businesses successfully. It’s always encouraging to see that other people have succeeded before you, and it can give you a sense of confidence and motivation to keep going.

2. Active private community

Another benefit of the Proven Amazon Course is the active and helpful private community. This community is made up of people who are going through the same journey as you, so you can share your experiences and get feedback and support from others. It’s a great way to connect with like-minded people and stay motivated and accountable.

3. Covers many ecommerce strategies

The course covers a range of ecommerce strategies, including low-cost options. This is great because it means you can find an approach that suits your budget and business goals. It’s also helpful to have a broad understanding of different strategies, so you can make informed decisions about what will work best for you.

4. Money-back guarantee

The course offers a 30-day “no questions asked” 100% money-back guarantee. This means you can try the course risk-free and see if it’s right for you. If you decide it’s not, you can get a full refund. It’s always reassuring to know that you have that option if you need it.

5. Affordable price

If you’re looking for an Amazon course that won’t break the bank, Proven Amazon Course is a great option. It’s priced lower than many other courses out there, making it a more accessible option for those on a tight budget. Plus, you can try it out on a monthly subscription, which is even more affordable.

6. No overhyped promises

One thing you won’t find with the Proven Amazon Course is overhyped promises or shady marketing tactics. The sales page is clear and straightforward, with disclaimers that let you know exactly what you’re getting into. You can trust that the course content is honest and valuable, without any misleading claims.

7. Jim Cockrum is legit

When it comes to e-commerce, Jim Cockrum is the real deal. He’s built a business that’s made millions of dollars, and he shares his expertise in the Proven Amazon Course. You can learn from someone who has been there and done that, rather than someone who’s just trying to sell you a course.

Criticism of Proven Amazon Course

1. Outdated core training

Firstly, the core training of Proven Amazon Course seems to have been last fully updated in 2018. As a result, some of the content can be a bit outdated. Although this doesn’t mean the course is completely useless, it’s important to keep in mind that some information might not be up-to-date with the latest trends.

2. PowerPoint-style videos

The course mainly uses PowerPoint-style videos that tell you what to do instead of showing you with a simple screencast. While some people might prefer this type of teaching, it’s not for everyone. It would have been better if there were more practical examples and case studies to follow.

3. Overwhelming amount of content

Proven Amazon Course offers an abundance of content, which can be overwhelming to navigate. It’s not always easy to find what you’re looking for. You may have to spend a lot of time digging around to find the specific information you need.

4. Coaching services as an upsell

Finally, some students have complained about the coaching services that are offered as an upsell by PAC. While this may not be an issue for everyone, it’s worth noting that some people have had negative experiences with this aspect of the course. It’s important to do your research and read reviews before investing in any upsells.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Is Proven Amazon Course a scam or legit?

Based on my research, I can confidently say that Proven Amazon Course is not a scam. In fact, it’s a great resource if you’re interested in learning more about selling on Amazon.

Jim Cockrum, the creator of the course, has been teaching and selling online since the 90s, and has a strong following and many positive testimonials. Although some of the dates on the course sales page are blurred out, indicating that they may be from some time ago, I can confirm that many recent students have achieved success with the training.

One of the best things about Proven Amazon Course is that it’s suitable for both beginners and experienced sellers. If you’re new to ecommerce, the course provides a wealth of information on various strategies for selling on Amazon. Even if you’re an experienced seller, you can benefit from the pro tips and strategies shared in the training.

Access to the course is affordable, especially with the monthly subscription, and the 30-day guarantee is solid. However, I would advise caution when it comes to any 1-on-1 coaching services they may offer you. Some students have reported negative experiences with these services.

Overall, if you’re interested in learning more about selling on Amazon, Proven Amazon Course is definitely worth checking out. It’s a reputable and trustworthy resource that can help you achieve success in your Amazon FBA business.

Proven Amazon Course Alternatives

Below are some popular alternatives to Proven Amazon Course. You can also check out my list of the best Amazon FBA courses

1. Freedom Ticket

If you’re new to selling on Amazon or looking to launch a private label product, Helium 10’s Freedom Ticket program has got you covered. 

This comprehensive guide provides you with hands-on videos, in-person labs, reading material, hand-written notes, exclusive blogs, case studies, and video guides to help you familiarize yourself with the Amazon marketplace. Plus, you’ll have personal sessions with marketing experts to gain valuable insights into sales and competition. 

You can get access for free with a $39/month subscription to Helium 10.

2. Marketplace Superheroes

Marketplace Superheroes is perfect for sellers looking to launch themselves on a global scale. Developed by Amazon experts Stephen Somers and Robert Rickey, the course teaches you how to find and launch low-competition profitable products on a larger scale. 

You’ll get access to a product discovery tool to search, shortlist, select, and source high-converting products on Amazon. 

The course costs $997, or you can pay in small monthly installments of $97 for one year.

3. Amazing Selling Machine

The Amazing Selling Machine promises to help you make your first sale before even finishing the 8-week training program. The course includes 8 modules covering various strategies and business plans. 

It’s highly reputed and has been praised by big brands such as MSN, Forbes, Business Insider, and CNBC. Former users have claimed that it helped them achieve unimaginable success on Amazon. 

The program originally cost $2497 or $4997, but there is currently a 40% discount on memberships.

5 Challenges of Amazon FBA Business

1. You Need at Least $10-20k to Get Started

Starting an Amazon FBA business is not cheap. You’ll need to pay for inventory, product samples, labeling, shipping costs, and Amazon Marketing Services. 

On top of that, you’ll need to spend money on product launch services and pay-per-click advertising. All in all, your first 10k will be gone in no time. If you’re not ready to gamble with your money, you should think twice before starting an Amazon FBA business.

2. Setting Up a Product Listing is a Lot of Work

Sure, Amazon does most of the work for you, but setting up a product listing is still a lot of work. You’ll need to negotiate with suppliers, compare shipping companies and freight forwarders, and comply with local and Amazon regulations. For beginners looking for a side gig or a source of passive income with little effort, the process can be overwhelming.

3. Cash Flow Can Be an Issue

Cash flow is the lifeblood of a business, but in the Amazon FBA business model, you’ll need to invest a considerable amount of money into buying inventory from Chinese suppliers. If you want to create a unique private label product, the costs will be even higher. Creating a prototype in China can cost a couple of hundred dollars, and production can take 1-2 months. 

After the package has been shipped and cleared by customs, it takes 2 weeks for it to arrive at Amazon’s warehouse. It can take months for you to get paid for the inventory you bought. If you’re not prepared to wait for your money, the Amazon FBA business model might not be for you.

4. Price Wars Abound on Amazon

When one seller lowers their prices to attract more customers, others will be forced to do the same. This results in a price war that can be difficult to win. To avoid a net loss, you might have to reduce your production costs, which could lead to lower product quality, negative customer feedback, and a drop in sales.

The margin of profit for most Amazon vendors is at best slightly higher than 10%, due to intense competition. For more information, you can check out my article on Amazon FBA profitability.

5. Complicated Rules and Regulations

Aside from price wars, you also have to deal with changing sales tax laws, category restrictions, and Amazon policies. Violating any of these rules could result in a permanent ban from Amazon. 

Some bans are permanent, which means you won’t be able to sell on Amazon again. There are many reasons why Amazon can ban your store, and they change their policies from time to time. Even if you are careful, you may get banned suddenly. After all, Amazon has the final decision-maker.

That’s why I don’t recommend building your asset on other people’s platforms, including Amazon. When you build your whole asset on Amazon, you lack controlling power. You don’t actually own the store; Amazon does. You may lose everything overnight. 

Instead, I recommend building your own website where you have more control over your business. By doing so, you have the power to make your own rules and grow your business on your own terms.

Is there a better way to make money online?

If you’re new to online business, you might wonder if there’s a better business model that doesn’t need initial capital and can do it as a side hustle.

Of all the business models I’ve tried, affiliate marketing is the easiest and most rewarding so far.  

In affiliate marketing, you can run your business at almost zero cost. Most importantly, you don’t need to invest in creating and developing any products.

Also, it is less time-consuming since you don’t have to manage inventory or handle customer service.

You can enjoy a steady stream of passive income while going on vacation or working a full-time job.

Since the world is full of uncertainty, I’d always choose a business model that has the lowest risk.

But How Much Can You Earn in Affiliate Marketing?

A 21-year-old student from my #1 recommended training platform of affiliate marketing was able to earn $7,395 in just 1 week, which means he made more than $1k a day…all while using free traffic methods and affiliate marketing.

Amazing Selling Machine Review

For more information, you can check out my full review of Wealthy Affiliate

Where to Join Wealthy Affiliate?

Wealthy Affiliate has a very simple pricing scheme. It has a free and premium membership.

If you want to feel about Wealthy Affiliate, you can sign up for the starter membership here (no credit card required). You can select to be a free member with no time limit.

And as a starter member, you can get instant access to the community, live chat, over 500 training modules, 2 classrooms, networking, commenting, 1 free website, and access to the keyword tool.

You can enjoy all these values without paying a penny. 

So I strongly recommend you register a free account and see it yourself.

If you’d like to be the next success story and get the most out of Wealthy Affiliate, you can upgrade to the Premium Membership later. 

After that, you can get access to everything without the bother of any upsells.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Interested in receiving one-on-one mentorship for building an online business? Join my online business coaching program.

2 thoughts on “Proven Amazon Course Review (2023): Jim Cockrum Scam?!”

  1. I’m disappointed to learn that Amazon is in fact competing with me. Amazon buys from the same manufacturer source as I do and sells it ahead of me. I am quitting Amazon and starting a blog instead. Thank you for recommending Wealthy Affiliate.

    Reply
  2. I would rate the content of the course 5/10. The quality of the content itself needs improvement if I compare it to some of the other courses I have bought.

    Reply

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