The claim
Pay a firm to build an AI-run Amazon store that earns passive income for you.
The FTC filed or settled several AI ecommerce store cases in 2024–2025, including Click Profit in March 2025.
How we checked
This is an evidence check, not a hands-on test. We reviewed platform rules and policies, published earnings data, regulator warnings and reporting: 4 sources, listed below.
Costs
- Start-up cost
- The FTC's Click Profit case describes management fees of at least $45,000, plus stock
- Effort
- low
What the evidence shows
US regulators have repeatedly shut down 'done-for-you' AI ecommerce store schemes that took large upfront fees and delivered little or nothing. The FTC alleged Click Profit charged management fees of at least $45,000, that over a fifth of its stores earned nothing and another third made under $2,500 in lifetime sales, and that Amazon blocked, suspended or terminated about 95% of its stores. In a separate case against FBA Machine (formerly Passive Scaling), which promised AI-powered storefronts, the FTC secured a permanent ban and a judgment of over $15.7 million. Ascend Ecom was alleged to have cost consumers at least $25 million.
Realistic earnings: In the Click Profit case, over a fifth of stores earned nothing and another third made under $2,500 in lifetime sales, against fees of at least $45,000.
Limitations
Earnings ranges are typical outcomes for a beginner, drawn from the sources; some people do far better or worse. Platform rules change often, so check the latest policy before you start.
Usually costs more than it earns.
Sources
- FTC press release on Click Profit: AI-powered stores, at least $14 million in losses, about 95% of stores blocked by Amazon ftc.gov
- Frankfurt Kurnit on the FTC's FBA Machine/Passive Scaling case and $15.7 million judgment advertisinglaw.fkks.com
- American Bar Association summary of FTC AI ecommerce cases including Ascend Ecom americanbar.org
- NBC on the FTC's Click Profit lawsuit and its TikTok marketing nbcnewyork.com