eCom Hacks Academy
Review

Ultra High-Ticket Dropshipping Course Teaching "Drop Surfing" Method with Mixed Results and Concerning Refund History

Medium
  • Last updated 14/06/2025
by Jared Goetz

What you'll learn ? Overview

eCom Hacks Academy burst onto the dropshipping scene in 2017, riding the wave of founder Jared Goetz's claim to fame, building what he called one of the fastest-growing Shopify stores that year. We spent considerable time analyzing this $1,999 course to understand if it delivers value proportionate to its Ultra High Ticket price tag.

The course centers around what Goetz calls "drop surfing", a variation of dropshipping where you maintain multiple suppliers for the same products. The idea? You cherry-pick the best shipping rates and product prices for each order, theoretically maximizing your profit margins. It's an interesting concept that sets the course apart from generic dropshipping programs.

Our investigation revealed the program consists of four main modules plus a bonus section, totaling over 40 lessons. The curriculum walks students through everything from initial Shopify setup to advanced Facebook advertising strategies. What caught our attention was the heavy emphasis on Goetz's proprietary "Shoptimized" theme, which he claims helped generate millions in sales (though we'd love to see more third-party verification of these numbers).

Here's where things get interesting: the course seems frozen in time. Created in 2017, much of the content, particularly the Facebook advertising strategies, hasn't kept pace with platform changes. Facebook's algorithm and ad policies have undergone significant transformations since then, making some of the tactics taught potentially obsolete or even counterproductive.

The program targets complete beginners, promising to transform them into successful dropshippers. However, we noticed a disconnect between this promise and the reality of dropshipping's steep learning curve and high failure rate. For a course priced at nearly $2,000, we expected more comprehensive support systems and updated content to justify the investment.

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Is this course for you?

👉

Prior experience needed

Beginner (No Prior Experience Needed)

👉

Learning style

Self-Paced (Work On Your Own Schedule)

👉

Goal

Make Money

Best suited for:

Honestly? We struggle to identify the ideal student for this course at its current price point. Complete beginners can find updated, comprehensive dropshipping education for free on YouTube. Those with $2,000 to invest would benefit more from direct advertising spend with free educational resources than this static, aging course.

Instructor

Jared Goetz

E-commerce Innovator and Dropshipping Educator Legitimacy Score: 8/10
With a reputation for rapid e-commerce growth, Jared Goetz has made significant contributions to the dropshipping and online business landscape. He is the founder and CEO of eCom Hacks Academy, an educational platform providing tools and guidance for aspiring online entrepreneurs. Goetz is also the creator of Zendrop, a marketplace connecting over 800,000 merchants with vetted suppliers, simplifying dropshipping operations. His expertise is frequently cited in top business publications, and his strategies have influenced thousands of students and merchants globally.
Goetz's entrepreneurial journey began at 17 and quickly accelerated when he launched a Shopify store that generated $2 million in sales within just 60 days. As CEO of Zendrop, he oversaw its growth to millions in sales since 2019, revolutionizing supplier-merchant connections in the dropshipping space. He has appeared in Forbes, CNBC, and Entrepreneur, and his work emphasizes both business tactics and personal development for long-term success.
  • Founded Zendrop, serving 800,000+ merchants and featuring over 1 million products
  • Created one of the fastest-growing Shopify stores, reaching $2 million in 60 days
  • Featured in Forbes, CNBC, and Entrepreneur for e-commerce leadership
  • Developed eCom Hacks Academy, a widely recognized dropshipping course
- Guest on 'Unveiling the Mindset and Success Secrets' podcast (2025) - Featured in Entrepreneur Magazine - Interviewed by Forbes and CNBC - Subject of profiles in Future Sharks and other business publications
Goetz actively shares e-commerce strategies, mindset advice, and business updates across platforms like Instagram and YouTube. His content includes motivational posts, case studies, and industry trends, and he interacts regularly with his audience through stories and live Q&As.

Course Details

  • ⏱ Duration24
  • 📶 DifficultyMedium
  • ⌛ Access Lifetime
  • ⏰ Time investmentModerate (5–10 Hours/Week)

🧠 Prerequisites

No formal prerequisites required, marketed to complete beginners in e-commerce


💻 Requirements

Computer with reliable internet connection, credit card for advertising accounts, basic spreadsheet skills for tracking


💸 Hidden Costs

Shopify subscription ($29-$299/month), Shoptimized theme ($167-$597), domain name ($10-15/year), Facebook advertising budget (recommended $1,000 initial investment), email marketing tools, product research tools


🙋‍♂️ Support Options

Private Facebook group access, claimed one-on-one mentorship (multiple users report this wasn't delivered), video lesson comments section

Course content

  • Module 1 (Structure): Shopify store fundamentals, domain setup, customer support configuration, payment gateway integration, shipping zone setup, SEO meta descriptions
  • Module 2 (Set Up a Store to Convert): Implementation of the $5,000,000 "Shoptimized" theme, conversion rate optimization techniques, trust badges, urgency tactics (16 video lessons)
  • Module 3 (Product Research & Selection): Drop surfing methodology, supplier diversification strategies, product validation techniques, competitor analysis
  • Module 4 (Facebook Advertising Mastery): Campaign structure, pixel installation, audience targeting, creative testing, scaling strategies, retargeting setup
  • Bonus Section: Email marketing automation, abandoned cart recovery sequences, lifestyle design principles, scaling operations

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Feedbacks

Overall sentiment

Mixed to negative feedback dominates discussions about eCom Hacks Academy, with criticism intensifying around the value-to-price ratio and outdated content concerns.

Praised points

  • Structured approach helps complete beginners understand basic dropshipping concepts
  • Active Facebook community provides peer support and troubleshooting assistance
  • Comprehensive coverage of Shopify store setup fundamentals

Criticisms

  • Outdated Facebook advertising strategies that don't reflect current platform algorithms
  • Overpriced content available elsewhere for free or at fraction of cost
  • No-refund policy despite high price point and mixed results

Testimonials

"This course is user-friendly, and even novices who do not know the dropshipping module will be able to complete and implement the content." (FindNiche Review)

"We rated eCom Hacks Academy 3.7/5, being one of the most easy to follow." (YouTube Review)

"Worst program ever do not buy. Outdated material...When I asked for a refund he told me no because I opened most of the material." (Kevin Cruz, Trustpilot)

"This is a scam, they make you pay 2k for outdated information, they promise you 1 on 1 mentorship and they never deliver." (Humberto, Trustpilot)

"The 'coach' promised a full refund if the customer is not satisfied with the course and he did not follow through." (Anonymous User, Trustpilot)

Social insights

Reddit's r/dropship and r/ecommerce communities frequently mention eCom Hacks Academy as an example of overpriced "guru" courses. Users consistently advise newcomers to explore free YouTube content first. Quora discussions reveal similar skepticism, with experienced dropshippers warning about the aggressive Facebook ad strategies taught that could quickly drain budgets without guaranteed returns.

Video review

Marketing Analysis

Claim Verification

Jared Goetz's claim of building one of 2017's fastest-growing Shopify stores appears legitimate based on our research. However, the promise that students can replicate this success lacks supporting data. We found no comprehensive case studies or independently verified student success stories matching the "six to seven-figure" income claims.

Price History

Consistently priced at $1,999 since launch, with occasional payment plan options (3 payments of $797 reported)

Upsell Practices

Heavy promotion of the Shoptimized theme within the course, positioned as essential despite the additional cost. Reports of further coaching and mentorship upsells within the community

Student Success

While Jared showcases select success stories, we couldn't find systematic data on average student outcomes. Names like Jacky Chou and Harry Coleman appear in testimonials, but their complete journey and the course's specific impact remain unverified

Platform & Delivery

Learning Platform

Likely hosted on standard LMS (Teachable or Kajabi based on industry patterns), though specific platform not disclosed

Content Accessibility

Lifetime access to video content, streaming only with no download options reported

Mobile Compatibility

Standard mobile responsiveness expected from major LMS platforms, though optimal experience requires desktop for implementation work

Technical Requirements

High-speed internet for video streaming, modern web browser, no specialized software beyond Shopify access

Red flags check

😬

Complaints

Multiple users report being denied refunds even when expressing dissatisfaction shortly after purchase. The outdated Facebook advertising content poses a significant risk, as strategies from 2017 could result in wasted ad spend or account suspensions.

😬

Refund policy issues

The course operates under a strict no-refund policy, all sales are final. This is particularly concerning for an Ultra High Ticket course where students invest $1,999 upfront.

😬

Marketing practices

Heavy reliance on Jared Goetz's personal success story without substantial evidence of widespread student success. The lifestyle marketing approach emphasizes luxury and wealth without adequately discussing the high failure rates in dropshipping.

😬

Community feedback

Reports of aggressive upselling within the Facebook group and lack of promised one-on-one mentorship despite marketing claims.

Is this course legit?

Value For Money

At $1,999, eCom Hacks Academy falls firmly in the Ultra High Ticket category, where we expect regular content updates, personalized coaching, and proven success frameworks. The course delivers none of these. The outdated Facebook advertising content alone makes this a poor investment, as following 2017 strategies could waste thousands in ad spend.

Conclusion

After thorough analysis, we can confirm eCom Hacks Academy is a legitimate course in the technical sense, it exists, provides content, and Jared Goetz has genuine e-commerce experience. However, legitimacy doesn't equal value.

The course's $1,999 price tag positions it among elite Ultra High Ticket offerings, yet it delivers what we'd expect from a $200-$500 Mid Ticket program at best. The core "drop surfing" concept has merit, but isn't revolutionary enough to justify the premium. More concerning is the static nature of the content. Facebook advertising, which comprises a significant portion of the curriculum, has transformed dramatically since 2017. Following outdated strategies could drain your budget faster than you can say "pixel tracking."

The strict no-refund policy raises serious red flags for an investment of this magnitude. When combined with multiple reports of unfulfilled mentorship promises and denied refund requests, it paints a troubling picture. We've seen users describe spending hours reviewing the material only to discover it's largely available free elsewhere, then being denied refunds because they "accessed the content."

For beginners attracted to dropshipping, we strongly recommend starting with free YouTube content from current practitioners. Save that $1,999 for your advertising budget, where it'll provide real-world education through actual campaign management. If you absolutely need structured learning, numerous updated courses exist at a fraction of this price.

eCom Hacks Academy represents a common pattern in online education: yesterday's cutting-edge content sold at tomorrow's prices. While not an outright scam, it's a poor value proposition that relies more on marketing dreams than delivering current, actionable education. In the fast-moving world of e-commerce, a 2017 course selling for $1,999 in 2024 simply doesn't make sense.

FAQs about this course

Drop surfing involves maintaining multiple suppliers for the same products, allowing you to select the best prices and shipping times for each order. While the concept has merit for margin optimization, it's not revolutionary enough to justify a $1,999 course, especially when you can learn it from free resources.

Facebook's advertising platform has undergone major algorithm changes since 2017, including iOS 14.5 privacy updates, removal of detailed targeting options, and completely revised campaign structures. Following 2017 strategies could result in poor performance or account restrictions.

No. eCom Hacks Academy operates under a strict no-refund policy with all sales final. Multiple students report being denied refunds even when requesting shortly after purchase, citing they had 'accessed the material.'

Despite heavy promotion within the course, the Shoptimized theme ($167-$597) isn't essential for dropshipping success. Many successful stores use free or cheaper themes. This appears to be an additional revenue stream rather than a crucial tool.

Plan for significant additional costs: Shopify subscription ($29-$299/month), domain ($15/year), and most importantly, Facebook advertising budget (minimum $1,000 recommended). The real learning happens through ad spend, not the course itself.

While Jared Goetz showcases select testimonials, we found no comprehensive data on average student outcomes or independently verified success stories matching the marketed 'six to seven-figure' income claims.

Numerous free YouTube channels provide updated dropshipping education. For structured learning, consider courses priced under $500 that include current strategies. Your $1,999 would be better spent on actual advertising to gain real experience.

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eCom Hacks Academy screenshot
eCom Hacks Academy Review
$ 1 999
Total score: 4,8/10 ⭐
  • Duration24
  • DifficultyMedium
  • Release Date01/2017
  • Format Self-Paced
  • AccessLifetime
  • Time InvestmentModerate (5–10 Hours/Week)
  • Payment Options One-Time
  • LanguageEnglish
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eCom Hacks Academy Review