FBA Masterclass Review (2023): Tom Wang Scam?

Tom Wang’s FBA Masterclass teaches you how to transform everyday, unbranded products from China into your own brand. The process includes labeling, shipping to an FBA warehouse, optimizing your Amazon listing, and using Tom’s Rank & Bank system to boost your visibility on Amazon, attracting sales from its 200 million Prime users.

Tom also shares a strategy for finding the cheapest products, increasing your profit margins compared to most Amazon sellers.

In this review, we’ll see if this program lives up to the hype, how it compares to other Amazon FBA courses, the real startup costs, and what average sellers make.

I want to clarify that I’m not connected to Tom Wang’s FBA Masterclass. So you can trust this review to be impartial and honest.

By the end of this review, I’ll suggest the best alternative to Tom Wang’s FBA Masterclass that has helped me create a full-time passive income online.

How Does FBA Masterclass Help You Make Money?

Tom Wang’s FBA Masterclass is designed to help you make money online through Amazon FBA.

Amazon FBA is a service provided by Amazon to third-party sellers like yourself. It allows you to sell products on Amazon’s platform while Amazon takes care of the heavy lifting such as shipping, handling returns, issuing refunds, and various fulfillment tasks.

With Tom Wang’s course, you’ll discover how to create a private label business on Amazon. Private label products can range from a generic Alibaba product with your brand’s label added to a customized or entirely unique product exclusively sold under your brand.

While building brand recognition may require some time and effort, selling private label products on Amazon positions your business for long-term growth.

Learn more: How to Start an Amazon Private Label Business

Who is Tom Wang?

Tom Wang is a serial entrepreneur who emigrated from China to Canada in 2001. He is known for his unwavering determination to overcome challenges and his willingness to share his business wisdom with others. However, his path to success was far from easy. Tom faced numerous obstacles, including dropping out of college three times and experiencing seven business failures before finally achieving his entrepreneurial dreams.

In his early ventures, while working at a Yellow Pages call center in 2015, Tom bought 15 hoverboards from China with the intention of selling them on Craigslist. Unfortunately, 10 of these hoverboards turned out to be defective. He also tried selling watches at local night markets.

Tom was introduced to Amazon FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon) through a friend, and they together faced both successes and failures in this endeavor. However, in 2017, Tom decided to invest in Amazon coaches, and this time, he found success, allowing him to break free from his 9-to-5 job.

By 2019, Tom had achieved significant success, generating $3 million in sales on Amazon and becoming a sought-after speaker at local entrepreneurship conferences in Vancouver, Canada.

Today, Tom Wang runs the FBA Masterclass coaching program, manages a YouTube channel with 30,000 subscribers, and hosts “The Tom Wang Show” podcast. Through his podcast, he freely shares valuable insights on Amazon FBA, business strategies, and personal development.

What’s Tom Wang’s Net Worth?

Tom Wang’s estimated net worth is around $2 million. His Amazon sales have reached $5 million, with an estimated net profit of $1,250,000, considering a typical 25% profit margin. His coaching program, priced at $6,997, has attracted hundreds of students, resulting in revenues of around $3,000,000 since 2019.

Taking into account living and business expenses totaling roughly $250,000 per year over six years, his net income stands at about $2.75 million. After applying a 30% tax deduction, he’s left with an estimated $1,925,000.

If you want to get a taste of his teaching style, you can watch the video below:

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

How Much Does FBA Masterclass Cost?

The exact price of Tom’s Amazon FBA Masterclass is not provided on the sales page. To find out the cost, you’ll need to inquire about it during a coaching call.

In addition, the course suggests that you should have a minimum of $5,000 available to begin your training.

The sales page for FBA Masterclass does not explicitly mention refunds, which might mean that they are not offered.

What You’ll Learn in FBA Masterclass with Tom Wang

Tom Wang’s FBA Masterclass focuses on mastering Amazon Private Label, which involves creating your own brand for unbranded products sourced from China. Tom’s approach centers on everyday, seemingly ordinary products with a low price point.

Step 1: Product Selection

Tom’s strategy is to concentrate on these “boring” daily-use products because they often trigger impulsive purchases. High-value items typically require extensive buyer research over weeks or months. Tom suggests selecting products priced at $50 or less.

He guides his students to use Viral Launch for Product Research, a $69 per month software that’s highly regarded. Tom teaches how to set the right parameters, such as requiring a minimum of 3,000 daily searches and fewer than 100 reviews, to quickly identify ideal products to target.

Step 2: Comprehensive Sourcing Process

Dealing with low-cost products where even a $1 savings can significantly boost profits, Tom Wang recommends a thorough approach. While most FBA sellers contact just 5-10 Chinese vendors or manufacturers, he advises reaching out to 40-60.

This extensive contact list is essential, especially when purchasing products at unit prices of $1-$2. Tom also suggests ordering a sample or hiring an inspection company to ensure product quality. He shares negotiation tactics, like paying only a 30% deposit and settling the rest after the product passes inspection.

Once the product quality is confirmed, you’ll need to order at least 1.5 months’ worth of inventory and have it shipped to a US-based FBA warehouse. This shipping process can take over a month.

Step 3: Rank and Bank System

Tom’s “Rank and Bank” system focuses on optimizing your Amazon listing with professional photos and compelling copywriting. To drive traffic and gather reviews for ranking, he advises using PPC (Pay-Per-Click) campaigns and social media ads for paid traffic.

While Facebook ads and Google AdWords can generate traffic, the most effective approach is Amazon’s sponsored ad platform or PPC ads. These tools place your product at the top of search results, in front of people actively looking to make a purchase, which tends to be more successful than targeting cold traffic on social media.

Tom Wang uses unique terminology for various stages of the Amazon FBA business, but when it comes to ranking your listing, all top sellers agree: Amazon PPC is a necessity.

Are Tom Wang’s Students Getting Results With FBA Masterclass?

On Tom Wang’s FBA Masterclass website, you’ll find many testimonials. But remember, these testimonials are often one-sided and might not give you the full and accurate story. Here’re some examples:

However, when I looked for reviews on other websites, the feedback was quite negative. Many people had complaints about Tom Wang’s FBA Masterclass.

Let’s take a look at some complaints posted on Better Business Bureau:

The complaints above are quite short, so I’m not certain if they’re from people who simply dislike Tom Wang. To get a better understanding, I checked Trustpilot.

This customer Nicholas signed up for Tom Wang’s FBA Masterclass, hoping to earn extra income, but now regrets his decision. He paid $11,000 for the course, only to discover that the promised passive income is highly unlikely. The course showcases successful sellers making $20-30K monthly but fails to disclose that only 0.4% of FBA sellers reach those figures, and those are gross earnings, not net profit. Nicholas believes that they only make around $2-3K in profit. 

Another customer Twana felt disappointed with Tom Wang’s FBA Masterclass. She was initially convinced by a compelling YouTube ad but found the course materials bogged down with testimonies from others, wasting her time. Completing only 11% of the course felt discouraging, and she wanted more substantial content instead of funneling more money into additional partnerships.

While it’s possible that some of Tom Wang’s students may have achieved a full-time income after finishing the course, possibly by finding their own methods, I don’t believe that making money with Amazon FBA is as simple as Tom suggests.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Real Success Rate of FBA Masterclass?

The success rate of FBA Masterclass is uncertain, but according to Jungle Scout, about 15% of Amazon sellers run businesses generating $6,000 to $25,000 in monthly profit.

On average, Amazon sellers typically make between $1,000 and $6,000 per month in net profit.

Experienced Amazon FBA coaches unanimously agree that if you consistently put in effort and action over two years, you’re highly likely to succeed. However, many individuals tend to give up too early or never fully commit, getting distracted or shifting their focus.

It’s essential to anticipate that most product launches won’t go exactly as planned. Success is not guaranteed, and various factors are beyond your control. Customer response, product quality, competition, and PPC costs can all influence your results. You can check out my article “

Read more: Is Amazon FBA Still Profitable?

Praise for FBA Masterclass

1. Comprehensive Training

Tom Wang’s FBA Masterclass offers a thorough and detailed training program on Amazon FBA, covering various aspects such as product selection, sourcing, and optimizing Amazon listings. It provides a step-by-step guide for beginners looking to start an Amazon FBA business.

2. Real-World Experience

Tom Wang shares his personal experiences and insights gained from his success in the Amazon marketplace, particularly with his Sdara skincare brand. His practical knowledge can be valuable for students seeking to learn from someone who has achieved success in the field.

Criticism of FBA Masterclass

1. Misleading Testimonials

Tom Wang’s FBA Masterclass features testimonials from students who report significant revenue, but the numbers can be misleading. These success stories often emphasize $100K in revenue, creating unrealistic expectations. In reality, profit margins are approximately 15%, meaning students may only pocket around $15K in net income.

2. Unclear Business Involvement

It’s unclear whether Tom Wang actively operates a high-level Amazon business or primarily focuses on selling his coaching program. Given the ever-changing nature of Amazon, students may wonder if he continually launches new products to effectively teach the business. This lack of transparency raises questions about his practical involvement.

3. Ambiguity on Startup Costs

Tom Wang does not provide a clear answer regarding the cost of starting an Amazon FBA business. His response varies from a few thousand dollars to $10K, $20K, or even $100K, depending on financial resources and product category. This lack of clarity can be challenging for beginners, especially as starting with less than $5K is difficult in the physical product business of Amazon FBA. This is not explicitly addressed in his course, which is priced at $6997.

4. High Cost of FBA Masterclass

FBA Masterclass is one of the most expensive Amazon FBA programs available, priced at $6997. While Tom Wang appears knowledgeable, there are other coaches who offer excellent Amazon training at a more affordable cost. Although there are no major complaints or accusations of a scam against him, the high price may not be justifiable for all potential students.

5. Limited Track Record and Shallow Content

Tom Wang’s success on Amazon primarily comes from the Sdara skincare brand, which performed well but was sold in December 2020.

With only 2-3 years of notable success, he has yet to prove his ability to consistently replicate such success on Amazon or in other ventures. Much of his coaching content relies on student stories and interviews, which can make the content feel superficial.

Questions also arise regarding his level of active engagement in day-to-day business operations, potentially compromising the depth of his coaching.

Recommendation: Here’s The Best Alternative

Is Tom Wang’s FBA Masterclass a Scam?

Let’s get one thing straight – Tom Wang’s FBA Masterclass isn’t a scam in the traditional sense. You’re not handing over your money only to see it disappear without anything in return.

It’s technically possible to make money with the training program, but it’s not the walk in the park that Tom Wang might make it seem.

Like most FBA businesses, it requires a substantial upfront investment with no guaranteed success. You’d need a good dose of luck to stumble upon a fantastic product that hasn’t saturated the market and then capitalize on it before the competition catches on.

Running an Amazon-based business is no cakewalk. Listing products and sourcing suppliers are just the tip of the iceberg. It’s often impractical for one person to handle all the daily tasks involved.

Even if you opt not to deal with inventory, you’ll still need a substantial advertising budget. And let’s face it, advertising isn’t cheap, especially if you’re looking to promote your business on social media.

Is Amazon FBA Still Profitable in 2023?

Yes, Amazon FBA can still be profitable this year, but there are some key things to keep in mind:

1. Rising Competition: Around 4,000 new sellers are joining Amazon daily, so the competition is increasing. Strategies that worked well in the past might not be as effective.

2. Increasing Fees: Amazon has been upping its fees each year, citing rising operational costs. These fee hikes can hurt third-party sellers, especially those with narrow profit margins.

3. Amazon’s Own Brands: Amazon’s own brand, Amazon Basics, is gaining traction. This can pose challenges for FBA sellers, leading to concerns about fair competition.

4. Higher Freight Costs: Due to pandemic-related disruptions, many sellers have seen freight costs skyrocket.

5. Account Suspensions: With a surplus of sellers, Amazon is handing out account suspensions more frequently. They’re less forgiving than before.

6. Dropshipping Challenges: Amazon doesn’t favor dropshippers, who sell products without holding inventory. Their policies can make it tough for dropshippers to succeed on the platform.

In a nutshell, while Amazon FBA can still be profitable, you’ll need to adapt to these changing conditions and be more creative and flexible in your approach to find success.

Other Amazon FBA Courses

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 want to launch a private label product, Helium 10’s Freedom Ticket program is a comprehensive resource for you.

It includes hands-on videos, in-person labs, reading material, hand-written notes, exclusive blogs, case studies, and video guides to help you get familiar with the Amazon marketplace.

You’ll also have personal sessions with marketing experts for valuable insights into sales and competition. The best part is that you can access this program for free with a $39/month subscription to Helium 10.

• Complete review of Freedom Ticket

2. Marketplace Superheroes

Marketplace Superheroes is an excellent choice for sellers aiming to expand globally.

Created by Amazon experts Stephen Somers and Robert Rickey, this course teaches you how to find and launch low-competition, profitable products on a larger scale.

You’ll gain access to a product discovery tool to search, shortlist, select, and source high-converting products on Amazon. The cost of the course is $997, or you can opt for small monthly installments of $97 for one year.

• Complete review of Marketplace Superheroes

3. Amazing Selling Machine

The Amazing Selling Machine promises to help you make your first sale even before completing the 8-week training program.

This course consists of 8 modules that cover various strategies and business plans. It has earned a strong reputation and has been endorsed by major brands such as MSN, Forbes, Business Insider, and CNBC.

Previous users have reported achieving remarkable success on Amazon with the help of this program. The original price of the course was $2497 or $4997, but there is currently a 40% discount on memberships.

• Complete review of Amazing Selling Machine

Is There A Better Way to Make Money Online?

If you want to make a full-time income from home, I would suggest you start an affiliate marketing business online instead.

Affiliate marketing is perfect for anyone who is new to online business.

In fact, of all the online business models I’ve tried, affiliate marketing is the easiest and most rewarding so far.

In affiliate marketing, you can actually run your business almost with zero cost and achieve a steady and sustainable passive income to pay for your bills. You don’t need any initial capital and can even do it as a side hustle.

And if you really want to learn affiliate marketing and build a business from scratch, I’d recommend you to get started with the most reputable platform for affiliate marketing: Wealthy Affiliate.

Wealthy Affiliate is an all-in-one platform for building your affiliate marketing business from scratch. It offers you a free account (including a free website) with comprehensive training on SEO (free traffic methods), which enables you to get started with affiliate marketing right away without paying a penny.

But How Much Can You Earn with Wealthy Affiliate?

A 21-year old student from Wealthy Affiliate 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.

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