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Franklin Hatchett's comprehensive dropshipping course that teaches the fundamentals but hasn't kept pace with platform changes
We spent considerable time analyzing Ecom Elites, Franklin Hatchett's dropshipping course that's been around since 2017. Here's what we discovered during our deep dive.
The course promises to teach you how to build a profitable Shopify dropshipping business from scratch. With over 34 hours of video content across 10 modules, it covers everything from basic store setup to advanced marketing strategies. Franklin Hatchett, who claims to have generated seven figures from dropshipping (we couldn't independently verify these exact numbers), structures the course to be accessible for complete beginners.
What caught our attention was the breadth of topics covered. You'll learn product research, Facebook advertising, Google Ads, email marketing, Instagram marketing, and even chatbot implementation. The course also includes pre-made sales funnels that students can customize, which we found to be a practical addition for those new to funnel building.
However, here's where things get concerning: the course received its last major update in 2019. That's ancient history in the fast-moving world of ecommerce. Facebook's advertising platform alone has undergone multiple significant changes since then, including the iOS 14.5 update that fundamentally altered how tracking works.
The two-tier pricing structure offers a Standard package at $197 and an Ultimate package at $297. The Ultimate version adds more advanced modules on sales funnels, Google Shopping, and SEO strategies. For a course in the low-to-mid ticket range, the amount of content is substantial, though the quality of that content given its age is questionable.
We noticed Franklin markets this as a complete system, and in 2019, it probably was. But dropshipping in 2024 looks very different than it did five years ago. Competition has intensified, advertising costs have soared, and consumer expectations have evolved. While the fundamental principles of ecommerce remain relevant, the specific tactics and strategies need constant updating.
Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)
Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)
Make Money
The reviews we analyzed reveal a split opinion. Early adopters praise the comprehensive nature, while recent students express frustration with outdated strategies that no longer work as advertised.
"The course eliminates the guesswork of finding winning products."
"It's a total steal in my opinion."
"Many students have gone on to build 6-figure eCommerce stores."
"The strategy taught is simple and it works."
"Students are getting results with some building 5 and 6-figure-a-month stores."
Reddit discussions paint a mixed picture. One user noted, "For the price, it's one of the better ones out there to get started," while another countered that "most of this info is free on YouTube now." Quora conversations often mention the course as a budget-friendly option but caution about the general difficulties of dropshipping in today's market. We found multiple threads where users questioned whether any 2019 dropshipping course could still be relevant.
Ecom Elites offers decent value for beginners on a budget, but the outdated content significantly limits its effectiveness in today's ecommerce landscape.
Franklin claims students can build "6-figure stores," showcasing select success stories. We couldn't verify what percentage of students achieve these results. The testimonials appear cherry-picked without context about ad spend, profit margins, or timeframes.
The course has maintained its $197/$297 pricing since launch, which actually represents decreasing value as the content ages without updates.
The jump from Standard to Ultimate at $100 more is the primary upsell. Franklin also promotes his "eCom Turbo" theme and various affiliate tools throughout the course.
While some students report success, we found no comprehensive data on average outcomes. Success stories often omit crucial details like total investment, profit margins, and how recent the success was.
The marketing overpromises on ease of success while underselling the challenges of modern dropshipping. Claims lack verifiable data, relying instead on aspirational messaging.
The course runs on a standard learning management system. While functional, it lacks modern features like progress tracking, interactive elements, or mobile optimization that we'd expect from a course at this price point.
Videos stream online with lifetime access promised. However, we couldn't confirm if content is downloadable for offline viewing. No mention of future updates, which is concerning given the outdated material.
The platform appears mobile-responsive but not optimized. Students report preferring desktop for actual implementation work.
Basic internet connection (5+ Mbps for streaming), modern web browser, computer capable of running Shopify and ad platforms
The delivery system is adequate but dated. For a course that hasn't been updated since 2019, the platform shows its age. Functional but far from impressive.
The most significant complaint centers on outdated content. Students report that Facebook ad strategies taught in the course no longer work due to platform changes. Some also mention feeling overwhelmed by the volume of information without clear prioritization of what's most important.
Here's where things get murky. The sales page advertises a "30 Day Money Back Guarantee," but Franklin's general terms state "no refund policy unless otherwise stated." This contradiction raises concerns. Some reviewers mention strict conditions like completing 50% of the course before qualifying for a refund.
Franklin uses typical "make money online" marketing tactics, showcasing student success stories without providing verifiable data on average outcomes. The sales page emphasizes potential earnings without adequately discussing the risks and failure rates in dropshipping.
The private Facebook group receives mixed reviews. While some find value in peer support, others report it lacks active expert moderation and becomes an echo chamber of basic questions already covered in the course.
The conflicting refund policy and significantly outdated content are legitimate concerns. While not a scam, buyers should understand they're purchasing 2019 strategies in a 2024 market.
At $197, Ecom Elites offers extensive content that would have been good value in 2019. Today, you're essentially paying for a historical document of dropshipping strategies. While core ecommerce principles remain valid, the specific tactics need major updates. The ROI depends entirely on your ability to adapt outdated strategies to current platforms.
Ecom Elites is a legitimate course that suffers from neglect. Franklin Hatchett created comprehensive training that served students well in its time, but dropshipping evolves rapidly, and this course hasn't kept pace. We found the fundamentals still useful, concepts like product research, customer psychology, and business basics don't expire. However, the platform-specific training (especially Facebook ads) is dangerously outdated. For complete beginners with tight budgets, this course provides a structured introduction to dropshipping concepts at a reasonable price. But you'll need to supplement heavily with current YouTube videos, blog posts, and community discussions to make the strategies work in 2024. The conflicting refund policy information also gives us pause, suggesting you should clarify terms before purchasing. Our score of 6.8/10 reflects decent historical value undermined by lack of updates. If Franklin updated the content, this could easily score 8/10 or higher. As it stands, you're buying a 2019 time capsule of dropshipping knowledge, worth it only if you understand these limitations going in.
At $197, Ecom Elites offers extensive content that would have been good value in 2019. Today, you're essentially paying for a historical document of dropshipping strategies. While core ecommerce principles remain valid, the specific tactics need major updates. The ROI depends entirely on your ability to adapt outdated strategies to current platforms.
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We spent considerable time analyzing Ecom Elites, Franklin Hatchett's dropshipping course that's been around since 2017. Here's what we discovered dur...
We spent considerable time analyzing Ecom Elites, Franklin Hatchett's dropshipping course that's been around since 2017. Here's what we discovered dur...
We spent considerable time analyzing Ecom Elites, Franklin Hatchett's dropshipping course that's been around since 2017. Here's what we discovered dur...
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