Darren Campbell’s FBA Brand Builder program makes some big promises: financial freedom, thriving Amazon businesses, and a stress-free path to success. Sounds great, right? But for many participants, the reality doesn’t quite match the marketing.
A recent discussion in the program’s Mighty App community reveals a troubling pattern. One seller hit £10,000 in revenue—something that should feel like a win—but couldn’t make a profit thanks to sky-high PPC (pay-per-click) costs. And the advice from Darren and his team? It seems to leave participants reliant on them for even the basics, like understanding their ad campaigns.
So, here’s the big question: is this really the “freedom” Darren promises, or is it a cycle of dependency, endless costs, and dashed expectations?
The PPC Trap: When Revenue Isn’t Profit
One frustrated participant shared this in the Mighty App:
“My sales are down since the PPC has stopped. But the PPC costs were so high I was not making profit from my first £10k revenue. I’ve not seen any charges for PPC in a few days, and my sales are now 1 or 2 per day. Even in the Black Friday event sales are bad.”
Darren’s response?
“Don’t turn PPC off, boss. You need it on to also drive organic sales. The longer you have it off, the harder it is to climb it back.”
On the surface, it might sound like solid advice—PPC can help keep your sales moving. But here’s the problem: if someone can’t turn a profit even at £10,000 in revenue, does it really make sense to keep throwing money into ads? And why don’t participants know how to evaluate these campaigns for themselves?
Too Much Reliance on Darren’s Team
This conversation highlights a deeper issue: the program’s heavy push for participants to depend on Darren’s team for critical parts of their business.
Take Jordan McClean, who’s touted as the program’s “PPC wizard.” In this thread, he chimed in with guidance:
“Everything is still running fully and accumulating spend and data... Let’s jump on again and try any sort of deals or discount we could run.”
But here’s the catch: sellers aren’t being taught how to monitor or optimize their PPC campaigns. Instead, they’re stuck relying on vague advice from Darren’s team. And when things go sideways? It’s the participants who take the hit, both financially and emotionally.
If this program really provided comprehensive training, shouldn’t people be able to make these decisions themselves?
Is This the Freedom Darren Promised?
Darren’s marketing paints a picture of financial freedom: ditch the 9-to-5 grind, spend more time with family, and build a thriving business. But for many, the reality couldn’t be further from that dream.
Take the stories shared in our article The Human Cost of FBA Brand Builder Failures. One single parent revealed:
“I borrowed over £30,000 trusting Darren’s promise of freedom. Now, I’m drowning in debt and can’t quit because of the inventory I need to sell.”
Another participant shared:
“I spent all my savings and still can’t afford Christmas presents for my kids.”
When you look at the bigger picture, the promised freedom seems more like a financial trap.
A Transparency Problem
A recurring issue in Darren’s program is the lack of transparency. Whether it’s about PPC management, product selection, or the hidden costs of running an Amazon business, participants are often left in the dark.
Take Darren’s advice to “keep PPC on.” While it sounds encouraging, it ignores a crucial reality: ads alone won’t make you profitable. For the participant in this thread, that advice felt more like a quick fix than a real solution. Without the tools to identify profitable keywords or optimize their campaigns, sellers are left floundering—and footing the bill.
What Does This Mean for Sellers?
The FBA Brand Builder program positions itself as a one-stop solution to Amazon success, but this case paints a very different picture. Sellers aren’t being set up to run sustainable businesses. Instead, they’re dealing with:
- Ongoing Costs: From PPC fees to inventory, the hidden expenses add up fast.
- Dependency on Darren’s Team: Without the skills to make informed decisions, participants are stuck relying on vague advice.
- Financial Risk: With slim margins and no clear path to profitability, many sellers find themselves burning through savings or taking on debt.
The Bottom Line
When someone hits £10,000 in revenue but still can’t make a profit, is that really a success story—or is it a cautionary tale? Darren’s advice to “keep pushing PPC” despite mounting losses raises serious questions about the program’s priorities.
If you’re thinking about joining FBA Brand Builder, take a moment to ask yourself: is the dream Darren’s selling worth the risks, costs, and dependency?
If you’ve had a similar experience with this program, we’d love to hear from you. Share your story anonymously on our Share Your Story page. Together, we can shine a light on the truth behind the promises.