The Truth About Amazon FBA Discord Groups, Courses & Mentors

Summary

In this video, the speaker shares their thoughts on the rise of Discord courses, mentorships, and lead lists in the Amazon FBA space. They express concerns about inexperienced sellers offering courses and mentorships after making modest profits, highlighting the dangers of flashy promises and materialistic claims. While acknowledging that genuine, experienced mentors do exist, the speaker stresses the importance of choosing the right guidance. They caution against the ease of selling mentorships, which can sometimes be more profitable than actual Amazon selling, and recommend relying on free resources or trusted, seasoned professionals to avoid falling for scams.

Takeaways

• 😀 **Beware of flashy sellers**: Sellers who make modest profits and then quickly turn to offering courses or mentorships may not have the experience needed to teach others effectively.
• 😀 **Experience matters**: Mentors should have a proven track record and significant experience before teaching others how to succeed in Amazon FBA or arbitrage.
• 😀 **Courses and Discord groups can be helpful**: When chosen wisely, mentorships and groups from experienced sellers can provide value and help accelerate learning.
• 😀 **Skepticism about 'overnight success'**: If a seller claims to go from $0 to six figures in just a few months, they may be relying on capital, credit, or luck, and not offering realistic advice.
• 😀 **Lead lists and wholesale courses can be risky**: Offering lead lists or wholesale leads without understanding the broader market can result in financial losses, as competition drives prices down.
• 😀 **Don't fall for materialistic marketing**: Sellers who focus too much on showing off expensive cars and lavish lifestyles may not be a trustworthy source of mentorship or advice.
• 😀 **Learning for free is possible**: You can learn most of the basics of Amazon FBA through free resources like YouTube and Discord groups, without needing to pay for courses.
• 😀 **Mentorship is a business model**: Offering mentorship is a legitimate way to make money, but only if the mentor has the proper expertise and experience to back it up.
• 😀 **Caution with new mentors**: It's important to be cautious when considering mentorships from sellers who have only recently had success and lack long-term experience.
• 😀 **Trust is key when choosing mentors**: Look for mentors who have 'skin in the game,' with a proven history of success and a genuine desire to help others.

Q & A

What is the general opinion about Discord mentorships and courses in the Amazon seller community?

Many Amazon sellers are critical of Discord mentorships and courses, especially when the person offering them has little experience. Some view it as a scam, especially when new sellers make their first $10K and then immediately try to sell mentorships or courses.

Why do some Amazon sellers start offering mentorships or courses after a short period of success?

Some sellers, after reaching a milestone like making $10K in revenue, may offer mentorships or courses to capitalize on their success. However, critics argue that it's misleading to present oneself as an expert with minimal experience.

How does profit margin in Amazon selling impact new sellers' ability to scale their business?

New Amazon sellers typically face low profit margins, around 10-15%, after factoring in expenses such as cost of goods, returns, credit card payments, and taxes. This makes it difficult to reinvest profits into scaling the business.

Why is it important to consider the full financial picture when evaluating success in Amazon selling?

Sellers should consider all expenses, including inventory costs, supplies, taxes, and debt, when evaluating their success. Just looking at revenue can be misleading, as true profits are often much lower after these factors are accounted for.

What are the risks of following inexperienced mentors in the Amazon selling space?

Inexperienced mentors may not have the necessary knowledge to provide effective guidance. They might sell courses or mentorships without having mastered the fundamentals themselves, leading to potential confusion or financial losses for their clients.

Can courses and Discord groups be helpful for Amazon sellers?

Yes, if the right mentor or group is chosen. Some genuine and experienced sellers offer useful courses and mentorships that can help new sellers navigate the complexities of Amazon selling.

What makes a good mentor in the Amazon selling space?

A good mentor is someone with a proven track record, significant experience in the industry, and a genuine desire to help others. They should be transparent about their own business and provide realistic advice.

Why are some sellers critical of lead lists and wholesale leads offered in courses and groups?

Lead lists and wholesale leads can be harmful because they often lead to competition among sellers on the same products, which drives prices down and results in losses. Additionally, some leads are not reliable and may not work out for the buyers.

What is the potential downside of paying for mentorship or courses without sufficient capital or experience?

Without enough capital or experience, paying for mentorship or courses might not yield the expected results. New sellers may not be able to apply the advice effectively, and they could end up wasting money on services that don’t deliver value.

Why do some sellers prefer running mentorships and courses instead of focusing solely on Amazon selling?

Running mentorships and courses can be a more convenient and profitable way for sellers to make money. It offers faster returns and doesn't require the same level of risk or investment as growing an Amazon business.