Commission Machine Review! Is It Worth Your Money?

Commission Machine
Overall Score: 5.5/10

Founder: Michael Cheney
Price: $19.95 (at first)
Website: http://www.commissionmachine.net/

Hey there readers! I’m back with a new review on a ‘get-rich-quick’ product. We all know how this will end up!

What is the Commission Machine?


The Commission Machine is a video course that basically teaches you how to write super effective email campaigns to promote affiliate products and services.  What makes it so special is that it promises to get you ‘hundreds of dollars’ a day, instantly.

That’s the gist of it, at least. But as you’ve come to expect, there’s a lot more to these kinds of products.

Red Flag #1: The tried and true (insert 3-4 digit number here) per day trick.

The author, Michael Cheney, is a classic guru type. You know, those guys that make these too-good-to-be-true, “done for you” products.

As you’ll see below. The CM is just another fish hook, used to reel you in to more expensive promotions.

A Quick Overview


The Commission Machine is course of eight ‘training modules’ that, when combined, are a crash course in internet marketing:

Module 1: Getting Started

Module 2: Research

Module 3: Angle

Module 4: Incentives

Module 5: Messages

Module 6: Deploy

Module 7: No List Method

Module 8: Ninja Tactics

There is one other, 9th  video though, but that’s for later. Let’s get to the good part of this course.

What’s the Good News, Bub?


OK, despite my putting it down earlier, the Commission Machine actually contains useful information on email marketing.

The videos are well narrated. I enjoyed watching them. Cheney is a good talker. He comes across as sincere, intentionally or not. He is definitely an expert in his field.

Anyway, the videos are very informative. Like it or not, email marketing is an annoying yet lucrative industry, and the modules reveal how to write emails that lead to sales.

This is how the course format is. It's pretty simple, visually.
This is how the course format is. It’s pretty simple, visually.

You probably have received emails that start out as funny stories but then lead into offers. That’s what the Commission Machine is all about.

No joke, the videos have worth. You learn how to write emails designed for selling products. And as Cheney showed me in the video, his emails work. For him, at the very least.

Oh, and Cheney gives you affiliate links to allow you to promote his products for a commission. I liked that gesture. I don’t know if that’s common or not, but you could make money off the product.

Finally, there is a money back guarantee, but its supposedly difficult to activate.

OK, What’s the Bad News, Mate?


As you might have guessed, I didn’t like my Commission Machine experience. There are many good reasons for this. where do I start?

The Shameless Up-Sells

I know where. Immediately after buying the course, you are taken to an up-sell page! In case you didn’t know, up-sells are more expensive offers made after you buy a cheap product.

So, after spending 20 greenbacks, you are expected to buy a ‘Golden Ticket,’ which is another $200 program that promises the same thing: instant commissions.

Only after signing up do you discover that your $20 got you the first level of a membership program. There are no hints beforehand.

When you turn that offer down, you’re taken to another sales page, this time a ‘Done for You’ service costing $100. This promises to make you thousands of dollars just by copy-pasting promotions!

OK, the arrows are just to look cool. But they do point to the exaggerations made. Also, although that 97 bucks is a one-time payment, how much wil the up-sells cost?
OK, the arrows are just to look cool. But they do point to the exaggerations made. Also, although that 97 bucks is a one-time payment, how much will the up-sells cost?

What next? Here’s a blast from past. And by past, I mean the beginning of this post. . Remember that ninth video I told you about? Well, it’s a 40 minute ad for a $1,500 affiliate marketing program called ‘iPro.’

Yeah, I couldn’t believe it either. Cheney starts the first half of the video with Facebook marketing tips, but then does a complete 180 and pushes this bogus program on you. It’s not even his! But you know what is his? The $1,000 (or so) commission he gets when you buy it. Pretty shady, huh?

Know what’s really sad? If I was a little richer, I would have bought  at least one of these up-sells. What can I say? I was a gullible novice who still believed in these schemes. That’s why I’m writing this, to make sure you guys don’t make the same mistake I nearly did.

Very Unclear to Rookies

The Commission Machine promotes itself as a way to make “$1000 commissions even if you’re a newbie.” Sounds great if you’re desperate to get rich. That tagline influenced my decision to buy it.

So you’re going in, expecting to be in the Caribbean the next week, ’cause of all the money you’ll make. Then reality crashes down like a meteor. Here’s are 2 essentials you need to make money from affiliate marketing:

  • A Website: This isn’t even mentioned during the course. If it was, I can’t remember it. A website is the cornerstone of online business! How are ‘newbies’ supposed to succeed without one?
  • Autoresponder: If you don’t know what this is, good luck learning it from Cheney. Autoresponders are what you use to send email campaigns. They’re very intricate, but the course assumes you know how to use one.

Of course, there’s a lot more to know about affiliate marketing (check here for details), but these are the main 2. Not that you would know just from watching the videos.

If the program doesn’t teach you how to make a website, is it really for newbies? Remember, you NEED a website. (I show you how to make one here.)

One more thing, module 7 does have a no-list method, which supposedly works without an email list (and thus a website). But guess what? The method is just a few Facebook tips, which you need many likes to actually use.

Vague Advice

Although I said the videos were useful, that’s only if you know exactly what you’re doing. Which, you probably don’t, considering you bought the course in the first place.

(No, I’m not ribbing anyone. It’s the truth. The novices are more likely to buy this. I myself fit that description, and bought it.)

These aren’t walkthroughs. They’re general guides, emphasis on general. I came in not knowing a thing about email/affiliate marketing, and I came out confused and disillusioned.

Closing Thoughts and Verdict


Before I close out, I wanna warn you: you might see exceedingly positive reviews of the Commission machines elsewhere. That would be OK, because this review is simply my opinion. But take note of the fact that they might be promoting their affiliate links to the program.

As a standalone product, the Commission Machine is worth $19.95. Apparently it used to be around $40, so it’s a better buy now.

But it’s not really a standalone product is it? No, the Commission Machine is the start of a sophisticated series of up-sells. Sure, $20 bucks is affordable, but after the up-sells of $197, $97, and $1,500(!), your wallet is gonna start to ache.

The only way this program will benefit you is if you’re already set up for email marketing. It gives good tips to improve your results.

If you have no online presence just forget it.

In case you still wanna check it out, click here.

Now you have 2 choices:

You’re free to go search for another ‘get-rich-quick’ scheme from another guru. Be my guest. Just know that you will never find success, only the horrible feeling of being parted with your money. I’ve been there and it is not pretty.

Or, you can  start an online business from scratch and work your way up. There is a way to do that. Yes, even if you’re a newbie. For real this time.

Find out how I built my website (and everything else) here. I detail it very thoroughly, and it’s totally free to start!

Start a Real Online Business Here

What did you think of the Commission Machine? Do you have any history with it? Leave a comment below!

Your pal,

-Makki

 

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10 thoughts on “Commission Machine Review! Is It Worth Your Money?

  1. Very good Review! I have heard that building your list is the best way to go so I won’t totally disregard this product. What I really hate is Guru’s and bloated promises. I have been burnt so many times by Guru’s. I’m like you I would rather invest in proper AM using Wealthy Affiliate.

    1. Thanks Dorsey! This product has some value only if you already have a list. Be sure you have a sizable one before you take the plunge.

      The gurus are always exaggerating! You just have to stay on your toes! Thanks so much for your feedback!

  2. I found your post an excellent review of the product both because you present the good and the bad. I think all of us in business online have been there, buy expensive courses that are interesting, have much information but ultimately not teach you “how to” of the whole process. Perhaps the only thing that I differ is in the fact that you have to have a website to make money. I agree that it is essential, and that is the foundation of a stable business but also think it’s possible to make money without it, it is perhaps more complicated but possible. Thank you for your review

    1. It certainly is possible to make money without a website, but if you have a business, you need one. If you’re freelancing or eBay/Amazon selling, then you can go without.

      Thank for your comment Tommy!

  3. It appears that Commission Machine focuses solely on email marketing, so I’m not sure how they can market to beginners. I say this because how do beginners generate a list of people to “email market” to without having their own website. The website is a crucial aspect, which usually has lead capture pages, or “email signup” forms in other words, which would then allow you to email market. If you learn all about email marketing but don’t have a list to market to, it’s essentially useless – do you agree?

    1. That’s exactly what I thought! It’s quite the paradox, isn’t it? This thing is supposedly made for beginners, but beginners won’t understand it, and the people who already have lists are probably experienced enough not to need the Commission Machine.

      Thanks for you thoughts Matthew! I really appreciate it.

  4. I think the Commission Machine is worth a look if it gives good hint on writing awesome email marketing content. Provided that is available with the starting offering of USD19.95. I’m not sure why they did not mention about the website. Although I’m new in online marketing, I know at least one thing, in this age, whether it is online or offline, any business that’s serious will need a website. If anything it at least represents the authenticity of the business. Thanks for this great review.

    1. I’m glad you liked it! I would agree it’s worth a buy, but that’s only if you end up only paying $20. The up-sells can be really tempting. I’d make sure to only spend that $20.

      Thanks for your feedback Kenny! I’m glad you found this useful.

  5. Thank you for the review–I HATE upsells, so I am glad you pointed that out about this program. I am all about learning more, but sheesh, lay off the upsells–I’ll buy more if you provide me with a great service, period. I don’t have much problem writing emails and getting good responses, so I probably wouldn’t buy this.

    1. I understand your hatred for upsells, Hillary. Their presence alone dictates that you’re not getting a full product. That’s why I stopped bothering with these guru products. It’s more about the money than the user experience. Thanks for you thoughts! I’m glad you benefited from it!

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