Darren Campbell’s FBA Brand Builder promises life-changing results for those diving into Amazon FBA, but for many, the real story begins after they’ve handed over the £6,500 initial fee. The course claims to be a one-stop solution for building a successful Amazon business, but what you actually receive—and how much you’ll ultimately spend—paints a very different picture.
From mindset pep talks to upsells for services linked directly to Darren, a significant chunk of the program focuses more on pushing additional costs than delivering actionable expertise. Let’s break down what you’re really paying for and where your money is going.
| Category | No. of Videos | % of Overall Videos |
|---|---|---|
| Additional cost (non-FBABB company) | 3 | 1.99% |
| Finance Advice | 2 | 1.32% |
| Marketing / Branding Advice | 7 | 4.64% |
| Mindset / Success | 19 | 12.58% |
| General Admin | 22 | 14.57% |
| Upsell / Additional Fee (FBABB product) | 33 | 21.85% |
| Amazon FBA Basics | 65 | 43.05% |
- Additional cost (non-FBABB company): Videos recommending services or tools from third-party providers, such as trademark registrations or software tools, which incur extra costs.
- Finance Advice: Covers basic financial setup advice like opening a business bank account.
- Marketing / Branding Advice: Discusses strategies to make a brand visually appealing and stand out, though often lacking depth.
- Mindset / Success: Motivational content from Darren, focusing on the importance of a "millionaire mindset" and staying resilient.
- General Admin: General administrative content like setting up software or booking meetings, which is necessary but not specialized.
- Upsell / Additional Fee (FBABB product): Videos promoting Darren’s in-house services such as FBA Studio, Empire Builder, PPC management, and accounting, with no alternative options provided.
- Amazon FBA Basics: General tutorials covering introductory Amazon FBA topics widely available for free online.
How Much of the Course Content Actually Adds Value?
To understand what clients are paying for, we analyzed all 151 course videos across Darren’s eight-stage program. We categorized the content into seven key themes:
What stands out? Nearly 44% of the videos cover Amazon FBA Basics, the kind of foundational knowledge readily available on YouTube or free Facebook groups. Meanwhile, a substantial 21.85% of the content focuses on upselling clients into services directly linked to Darren’s team, such as:
- FBA Studio for branding and product listings.
- PPC management, handled by Jordan.
- Recommendations for bookkeeping services via Richard Ferson’s FFC Bookkeeping.
None of these services come cheap, and Darren doesn’t provide alternative suppliers or options in these videos. The implication is clear: follow Darren’s recommendations, or you’re on your own.
Mindset Over Mastery: A Course Heavy on Pep Talks
Another significant portion of the program—12.58% of the videos—is devoted to “mindset” and success-oriented content. These clips feature Darren discussing the “millionaire mindset” and encouraging clients to persevere, with little in the way of practical advice to improve their businesses.
While mindset can be helpful, it often feels like filler content, especially in a program marketed as a hands-on, results-driven course.
The True Cost of Darren’s Program: A £25,000+ Investment
While the initial fee of £6,500 might seem like the primary expense, the reality is that Darren Campbell’s FBA Brand Builder program comes with additional costs that often push the total investment to £25,000 or more. Here’s how it all adds up:
- Initial Program Fee: £6,500 just to join the program.
- FBA Studio Packages:
- Services like branding, packaging design, and listing optimization cost £2,000–£3,000 depending on the package selected (e.g., Zero to Hero, Perfect Listing).
- Empire Builder Software: £699 per year for product research and tracking tools.
- Trademark Registration: Approximately £600 to legally protect your brand.
- Inventory and Shipping Costs: Sourcing, shipping, and storing inventory often require an upfront investment of £10,000–£15,000 depending on the product category and order volume.
- PPC Management Fees: Clients are charged monthly for Darren’s team to handle Amazon PPC (pay-per-click) advertising, with costs typically ranging between £2,000–£4,000 monthly.
- Bookkeeping Services: With Darren’s recommended FFC Bookkeeping, clients pay an ongoing fee of £75/month, adding up to approximately £900 per year.
- Miscellaneous Tools and Costs: Additional services like keyword research tools, product photography, and account management can add several hundred more pounds.
Together, these expenses quickly escalate beyond £25,000, leaving clients overwhelmed and often unprepared for the total financial commitment.
The Push Toward Darren’s Services
FBA Studio: An Expensive Funnel Back to Darren
A crucial part of launching any Amazon product is creating high-quality listings, and Darren has a convenient solution: FBA Studio, which offers:
- Zero to Hero Package: $2,994 for branding, packaging design, listing copywriting, 3D renders, and listing images.
- The Ultimate Launch Package: $2,600 for adding a product to an existing brand.
- The Perfect Listing Package: $2,030 for listing copy, 3D images, and photography.
However, clients report that these services often feel outsourced to low-cost freelancers, raising concerns about whether the high price tag reflects the quality. Worse, no alternatives are suggested—if you don’t use FBA Studio, you’re left to fend for yourself.
PPC Management: Who’s Running Your Ads?
Amazon PPC is vital for driving sales, but instead of teaching clients to manage ads themselves, Darren pushes them toward his team’s PPC services. This lack of training forces clients into monthly fees, with no clarity about who’s actually managing their accounts or their qualifications.
Clients like Kirsty have noted Jordan’s absences when handling PPC, compounding frustrations about paying for guidance they aren’t receiving.
Bookkeeping with Richard Ferson: More Confusion Than Clarity
Darren also directs clients to FFC Bookkeeping, run by Richard Ferson, who has been criticized for providing misleading advice around VAT compliance. Clients pay £75/month, yet many report ongoing issues with VAT filings and deregistrations, leaving them to deal with the fallout.
Is This Really Transparency?
Darren’s team claims to be upfront about costs, but the reality feels far from transparent. Many clients only discover the true financial commitment after joining, by which point the no-refund policy locks them into a cycle of additional expenses.
For a program that markets itself as an “all-in-one” solution, these constant upsells and hidden fees leave many clients wondering what they’re really paying for.
The Final Verdict: Are You Buying a Dream or a Debt?
Darren Campbell’s FBA Brand Builder program markets itself as a shortcut to Amazon FBA success, but the numbers tell a different story. Between the overemphasis on mindset, the lack of practical training, and the push toward Darren’s own services, clients often find themselves overwhelmed by hidden costs and underwhelmed by the results.
If you’re considering joining this program, ask yourself:
- Are you comfortable committing upwards of £25,000?
- Do you trust a program where much of the content feels like filler or self-promotion?
- Are you prepared for ongoing fees with minimal transparency?
The dream Darren sells comes with a hefty price tag—and for many, it’s simply not worth it.