GUIDES
How to choose a managed ecommerce store service: 12 questions to ask before you sign
To choose a managed ecommerce store service, check three things before price: the store is yours in every account and contract, the provider makes no promise about what you will earn, and you approve every product, supplier and purchase. Then compare scope, fees, access, reporting and exit terms with the 12 questions below. A provider that answers all of them in writing, before you pay, is worth a closer look. One that will not is your answer.
Quick answer
A good managed store service puts every seller account, the brand and every supplier relationship in your name, shows you the research behind each product before you buy stock, publishes its fees and lists the costs you carry separately, makes no income claims, uses named logins instead of your password, reports weekly and lets you leave with everything. Ask for each of those in writing.
Most new stores take months to find steady sales, and some never do. Inventory, platform fees, freight and ad spend are paid by you.
First, decide whether you need a managed store service at all
A managed store service is the most involved option. It is right for some owners and too much for others. Before you compare providers, check which kind of help you actually need.
| Your situation | What usually fits | Example |
|---|---|---|
| You want to learn and run the store yourself | Free education and the occasional question answered | Our free Learning Center, starting at choose your path |
| You have a product and want the store set up properly, then run it yourself | A launch service with a fixed fee | Store Launch, from $999 per channel |
| You have a product and want the daily running handled | A small monthly operations plan | Store Care, from $399 a month |
| You want help choosing products and suppliers, then launching and running the store | A managed store service | Full Relay, our managed store service |
| You run an established brand at $1M+ a year | An operations team, not a managed store | Ops Desk, from $1,499 a month |
| You want named full-time people on your work | A dedicated team | Dedicated Ops Team |
If you do not yet have the budget for inventory, freight, platform fees and ads on top of any provider's fees, no service fixes that. Wait until you do.
How to choose a managed ecommerce store service: the 12 questions
Ask every provider the same questions in writing and keep the answers. For each one, here is why it matters, what a good answer sounds like and what should worry you.
- Whose name is on every account, the brand and every supplier contract?
Why it matters.
If the seller account, the trademark or the supplier relationship is in someone else's name, you do not own the business, whatever the contract calls it.
Good answer.
"Yours, from the first day. Seller accounts are opened in your name, the trademark is filed by you or your attorney, and suppliers invoice you."
Red flag.
A shared or pooled account, a store "assigned" to you, or a trademark owned by the provider.
- How do you choose products, and what will I see before I buy stock?
Why it matters.
Product choice decides most of what follows. You should see the reasoning, not just a product name.
Good answer.
Written research for each candidate: demand, competition, fees and margin per unit on each channel, all before anything is bought, with you approving or rejecting each one.
Red flag.
A "winning products" list, the same products offered to many buyers, or pressure to approve without numbers.
- Who finds suppliers, and who pays them?
Why it matters.
Whoever holds the inventory money holds the power.
Good answer.
The provider finds and vets suppliers, gets samples, quotes and terms, and you approve the supplier and pay them directly.
Red flag.
A lump sum to the provider "for inventory" that it buys on your behalf, with no supplier invoice in your name.
- What exactly do you charge, and on what base?
Why it matters.
Fee structures differ more than prices. You need every fee, when it is due and what it is calculated on.
Good answer.
A written fee schedule: setup or onboarding fee, monthly fee or commission, add-ons, and what triggers each. If there is a commission, the rate and the exact base are in the agreement before you pay anything.
Red flag.
A fee that changes after you sign, a commission whose base is vague, or a large upfront payment pitched as buying into future income.
- What costs will I carry that are not your fees?
Why it matters.
Provider fees are often the smaller part of the money. Inventory, freight and ads usually cost more.
Good answer.
A written list: inventory, freight and duties, platform fees and subscriptions, apps, ad spend, samples and trademark filing, with how much of each to plan for in the first months.
Red flag.
"Everything is included", or no list at all.
- Do you make any claims about what I will earn?
Why it matters.
Under the FTC's Business Opportunity Rule, sellers covered by the Rule may make an earnings claim only with "a reasonable basis for its claim at the time the claim is made," backed by written substantiation and an earnings claim statement, and must not misrepresent the income a buyer may earn (16 CFR 437.4 and 437.6). Programs the FTC has shut down leaned heavily on income claims.
Good answer.
"No. We commit to the work, the timeline we expect and the reporting. Most new stores take months to find steady sales, and some never do."
Red flag.
Income ranges, screenshots of other clients' earnings, a payback date, a buyback offer or a refund tied to hitting an earnings target. A refund promise like that is a picture of future earnings in another form.
- What will you not do?
Why it matters.
Every scope has edges. You want to know them now, not when something goes wrong.
Good answer.
A written list of exclusions, for example photography, legal work such as trademark filing, or spend above a certain ad budget, each with what it would cost if you need it.
Red flag.
"We do everything."
- How will you access my accounts?
Why it matters.
Shared passwords and shared devices put your seller account at risk.
Good answer.
Named users through each platform's own tools: Amazon's User Permissions, a limited Walmart role with Admin kept by you and Shopify collaborator access. MFA on every login, no access to bank or payout settings, and access removed promptly when people change.
Red flag.
A request for your password, or one login shared by a team.
- Who will run my store day to day, and can I speak with them before I sign?
Why it matters.
You are buying a person's attention as much as a company's process.
Good answer.
A named lead, introduced before you sign, with stated business hours and response times for your requests.
Red flag.
A sales closer you will never hear from again, or "a team" with no names.
- What will I see each week and each month?
Why it matters.
Without regular reporting, you find problems after they have cost money.
Good answer.
A weekly written update on a fixed day, a monthly results review with sales, margin after fees, stock and account health, and sample figures labeled as samples until real ones exist. On Walmart, for example, account health means eight published performance standards, from cancellations to response times (Walmart Marketplace Learn, Jul 28, 2026); a provider should report against them.
Red flag.
Reports only when you ask, or dashboards with no dates or sources.
- What do you need from me, and how much time will it take?
Why it matters.
A managed store is still your business. Someone has to approve products, suppliers, prices and purchases.
Good answer.
A clear list of decisions that need you and a realistic estimate of the hours a week, plus a named backup approver for urgent items.
Red flag.
"Nothing. You will not have to do a thing."
- How do I leave, and what do I keep?
Why it matters.
The exit terms tell you how confident a provider is that you will want to stay.
Good answer.
A short first term, then month to month with written notice; no exit fee; every account, listing, SOP and report stays in your name; access removed within a day; a handover of open work.
Red flag.
Long lock-ins, exit fees, commission that continues after you leave without a clear end date, or a store that stays with the program.
How fee models compare
Managed store services are usually paid in one of three ways. None is automatically better. Each needs different questions.
| Model | How it works | Ask |
|---|---|---|
| Retainer | A setup or onboarding fee, then a fixed monthly fee for a defined scope | What is in each tier? What happens if I outgrow it? What is the first term and the notice period? |
| One-time fee plus commission | A service fee at the start, then a share of the store's results | What is the rate, and is it in the agreement before I pay? Is the base revenue, or something after costs, and which costs? When does commission start and stop? Can I see the calculation every month? Does any commission continue after I leave? |
| Launch fee plus optional monthly plan | A fixed fee to set the store up, then a separate plan if you want ongoing help | What exactly is launched? What support follows, and for how long? |
A commission can align a provider's pay with your store's results, which is why some owners prefer it. It can also hide the real cost if the base is vague. Ask for a worked example, using sample figures, of how one month's commission would be calculated, before you sign.
For scale, the FTC's cases describe programs that charged "done for you" storefront fees of up to $35,000 (Ecommerce Empire Builders, May 9, 2025) and management fees of at least $45,000 plus inventory (Click Profit, March 2025). A price that high is not proof of a scheme, but a large payment tied to a picture of future income is exactly the pattern to avoid.
What a realistic timeline looks like
A store built from product research takes months, not weeks. For Full Relay, the typical timeline is research in weeks 1 to 3, sourcing in weeks 3 to 8 and launch in weeks 6 to 12, then daily running. That is typical, not promised: sample delays, supplier changes and marketplace reviews can all move it.
Two parts of any timeline sit outside the provider's control. Marketplace approvals take as long as the marketplace takes. A trademark takes longest of all, which matters because Amazon's Brand Registry needs a registered or pending trademark (Sell on Amazon, checked Oct 20, 2026); see our page on Amazon Brand Registry services. A provider who promises sales by a date is promising something nobody controls.
A scoring sheet you can use
Print this, ask every provider the 12 questions and score each answer 0 (no answer or a red flag), 1 (partly, or verbal only) or 2 (clear and in writing).
| Question | Provider A | Provider B | Provider C |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Everything in my name | |||
| 2. Product research I see before buying | |||
| 3. I approve and pay suppliers directly | |||
| 4. Every fee and its base in writing | |||
| 5. Written list of costs I carry | |||
| 6. No income claims | |||
| 7. Written exclusions | |||
| 8. Named logins, never my password | |||
| 9. Named lead met before signing | |||
| 10. Weekly and monthly reporting | |||
| 11. Clear list of my decisions and time | |||
| 12. Fair exit, and I keep everything | |||
| Total out of 24 |
Any provider that scores 0 on question 1, 3 or 6 should be out, whatever its total.
Warning signs from FTC cases
The FTC has acted against a series of programs that sold online stores with income promises, including Automators AI (complaint Aug 22, 2023; order Feb 27, 2024), FBA Machine, Ascend Ecom, Ecommerce Empire Builders, Ecom Genie and Click Profit. Outside store programs, its case against Air AI (complaint Aug 25, 2025; proposed order announced Mar 24, 2026) shows the refund version of the same pitch: buyers were allegedly promised their money back if they missed an earnings target, and the refunds rarely came. The common threads were stores sold to people with no business yet, income figures presented as certain, automation presented as the thing that makes money, large upfront fees and proof that did not hold up. Under the Business Opportunity Rule, sellers it covers must hand over a disclosure document at least seven calendar days before you sign or pay (16 CFR 437.2), and the FTC's rule on consumer reviews and testimonials (16 CFR Part 465) bans fake reviews and review suppression.
Our comparison of a managed store vs a done-for-you store for sale lists each case with dates and outcomes. If you are buying a store launch rather than a fully managed store, our 12 checks for vetting a done-for-you store provider cover that purchase.
How Full Relay answers the 12 questions
We wrote this guide, and we sell a managed store service. Hold us to the same standard. Here are our answers, in the same order.
| Question | Full Relay |
|---|---|
| 1. Whose name | Yours: every seller account, the brand, all inventory and every supplier relationship |
| 2. Product research | Demand, competition, fees and margin per unit before anything is bought; you approve every product. See product research and sourcing |
| 3. Suppliers | We find and vet them and negotiate samples, quotes and terms; you approve the supplier and pay them directly |
| 4. Fees | Retainer: $1,499 onboarding, then Starter $999, Growth $1,999 or Full Scale $3,999 a month. Or performance: $2,499 one-time service fee, then a commission at a rate set in the written agreement before work starts. We do not publish the rate. When your store sells, we earn. When it does not, you owe no commission |
| 5. Costs you carry | Inventory, freight, platform fees, apps and ad spend, paid by you directly |
| 6. Income claims | None. We do not sell stores and we never promise income |
| 7. Exclusions | Set out per plan: for example SKU counts, product lines and ad spend levels by tier |
| 8. Access | Named users, MFA on every account, never your password, no bank or payout permissions; access removed within 24 hours when people change |
| 9. Who runs it | Ask to meet the person who will run your store before you sign; on Full Scale, a named ops lead runs the account day to day |
| 10. Reporting | A weekly written update and a monthly results review; weekly KPI review on Full Scale |
| 11. Your time | Approvals on products, suppliers, prices and purchases, every week |
| 12. Exit | Retainer: first term 3 months, then month to month with 30 days' notice. Performance model: terms set in the written agreement before work starts. Everything stays in your name |
The plans differ by channel and scope. Starter covers one channel, up to 10 SKUs and research and sourcing for one product line. Growth covers two channels, up to 30 SKUs, up to three product lines, ad management to $5,000 monthly spend and a monthly margin report. Full Scale covers Amazon, Walmart and Shopify, up to 75 SKUs, ongoing research and sourcing, ad management to $15,000 monthly spend, a named ops lead and a weekly KPI review. Channel detail is on Full Relay for Amazon, Full Relay for Walmart and Full Relay for Shopify. Every price is on our pricing page.
When a managed store service is the wrong choice
- You want income without running a business. A managed store is your business, with your money at risk.
- You cannot cover inventory, freight, platform fees and ads on top of the provider's fees.
- You want to buy a ready-made store. We do not sell stores, and a provider that does is selling something different.
- You will not spend time each week on approvals.
- You already run an established brand. An operations team fits better than a managed store.
Ask us the 12 questions
Book a free 30-minute session with an ops lead and ask every question on this page, about us or about any other provider you are considering. No pitch deck. If you already have a product, start with a free Launch Readiness Check: a written plan within 3 business days, no sales call required.
A real person replies within one business hour, 9am to 6pm US Central, Monday to Friday. +1 (469) 331-3129 · contact@ecomrelays.com
Ecomrelays LLC is a Texas company. Part of our team works outside the US, as one managed team with a named US-facing lead. This guide is general information, not legal advice.
How much does a managed ecommerce store service cost?
It depends on the model. Full Relay, our managed store service, runs on a retainer ($1,499 onboarding, then $999, $1,999 or $3,999 a month) or a performance model ($2,499 one-time, then a commission at a rate set in writing before work starts). On top of any provider's fees, you pay for inventory, freight, platform fees, apps and ads.
Is a managed store service worth it?
It can be, if you have a real budget for stock and fees, want help with product choice and sourcing, and will approve decisions every week. It is not worth it if you are hoping for income without running a business. Most new stores take months to find steady sales, and some never do.
What is the difference between a managed store and a store launch?
A store launch sets up accounts, listings and the first shipment for a fixed fee and then hands the store back to you, with a period of support. A managed store service also covers product research, sourcing and the daily running after launch. Our Store Launch starts at $999 per channel and does not include product sourcing.
How do I know a managed store provider is legitimate?
Ask the 12 questions above in writing. Legitimate providers put every account and contract in your name, show product research before you buy stock, let you pay suppliers directly, publish their fees, list the costs you carry, make no income claims and let you leave with everything. Check reviews on third-party sites you can verify.
Should I choose a retainer or a commission model?
A retainer gives you a fixed, predictable fee. A commission ties part of the provider's pay to your store's results, which some owners prefer at the start. Either can be fair. With a commission, insist on the rate, the base and the end date in the agreement before you pay, plus a worked example of one month's calculation.
How long until a managed store makes sales?
Nobody can honestly promise that. For Full Relay, the typical timeline is research in weeks 1 to 3, sourcing in weeks 3 to 8 and launch in weeks 6 to 12, then daily running. After launch, most new stores take months to find steady sales, and some never do.
How much of my time does a managed store take?
Expect a few hours each week for approvals: products, suppliers, prices, purchases and ad budgets, plus reading the weekly update and joining a monthly review. Name a backup approver for urgent decisions. Any provider who says it will take none of your time is describing something other than a managed service.
Can I switch providers later without losing my store?
Yes, if everything is in your name. That is why question 1 matters most. With accounts, brand, listings and supplier relationships in your name, you can change providers or bring the work in-house. Check the notice period and whether any commission continues after you leave.
Sources8 sourcesLast checked Oct 20, 2026
- 01ecfr.gov16 CFR Part 437, FTC Business Opportunity Rule: disclosure at least seven calendar days before signing or paying, 437.2; earnings claims need a reasonable basis and an earnings claim statement, 437.4; no misrepresenting income or refund terms, 437.6; checked Oct 20, 2026Primary
- 02ftc.govFTC press release, May 9, 2025: "done for you" storefronts up to $35,000; checked Oct 20, 2026Primary
- 03ftc.govFTC press release, Mar 2025: Click Profit, management fees of at least $45,000; checked Oct 20, 2026Primary
- 04ftc.govFTC, Automators: complaint Aug 22, 2023; order Feb 27, 2024; checked Oct 20, 2026Primary
- 05ecfr.gov16 CFR Part 465, Rule on the Use of Consumer Reviews and Testimonials, Aug 22, 2024; checked Oct 20, 2026Primary
- 06ftc.govFTC press release, Mar 24, 2026: Air AI proposed order; complaint Aug 25, 2025 alleged refund promises tied to earnings targets; checked Oct 20, 2026Primary
- 07sell.amazon.comSell on Amazon, Brand Registry eligibility; checked Oct 20, 2026Primary
- 08marketplacelearn.walmart.comWalmart Marketplace Learn, seller performance standards, updated Jul 28, 2026; checked Oct 20, 2026Primary
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