Avi
This review is a mixed bag
This review is a mixed bag. Last year, we decided to launch on Amazon as a family-owned business of 38 years, manufacturing our own line of items. A friend recommended John of MAG to speak with. We set up the call, were razzled and dazzled by him, and super impressed with his knowledge of all things Amazon. It was a one-call close; we quickly signed the contract (a significant chunk of monthly spend plus a revenue share). We were quickly onboarded and began to work. The first month and a half was horrendous. Our brand manager was severely incompetent, sometimes waiting days to return an email from my anxious boss. After a discussion with our brand director, we were given a new team. The new brand manager, John, was fantastic in the work that he led and did for the brand. We chose not to renew the contract and went on a month-to-month term. Then our new brand director parted ways with MAG (he was excellent and at least jumped on one call), and we received a new one. The only time I spoke with him was after we sent the termination email. As for my brand manager John, I could not speak any higher of him. He is amazing, super communicative, empathetic, and gets stuff done. I hope he does not leave MAG as he is a tremendous asset. Now the negatives: We felt our PPC side was not managed correctly, with spend not controlled in a proper manner, higher costs, spend on non-performing keywords, and it kind of felt automated and not strategic enough—just sort of a throw against the wall and let's see what sticks, and well, we can always adjust if he complains. In June, we decided to terminate MAG and go with another agency. In that short time, we have had a 54% month-over-month growth as well as a reduction in ad spend with incredible growth. Now we are paying more to this agency for management but making up for it with results. Now the ugly: We terminated the agreement and, per the contract, paid for the following month and for the PPC revenue share until the date we terminated. We informed MAG not to touch the PPC from July 1st onward. While we begrudgingly paid with no major protest for a month of no real work on the account, what was shocking was getting billed for PPC revenue share for work that someone else did. We paid it as that's how we have done business for 38 years—honestly and straightforward—but it has left a very bad taste in our mouth, and we could never recommend MAG again. What prompted this review was a LinkedIn post by Steve Pope polling why his agency was static. Here are some suggestions: Your clients feel pushed to the side, and we are not sure what you want to do... Be an agency or an educator? Reduce turnover, as the only constant on my team was my brand manager. Have your brand directors reach out to their clients, even if just to say hello and ask if any help is needed. I shouldn't have to hear from him only to ask what he can do to make me stay. Make me feel like a valuable client (perhaps we are too small, only paying $5k+ a month and not one of the big dogs). These are some of my thoughts on perhaps how you could decrease churn. This review would have been fewer stars save for John, my brand manager.
Response from My Amazon GuyJul 29, 2024
Avi thanks for the candid feedback - taking it to heart and reviewing - Steven Pope



