Buy-Test-Return Product Method
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A unique product testing approach used by successful entrepreneurs to find the absolute best version of any product through systematic testing and returns.
Core Testing Method
- Buy 10-20 versions of any product you want to test
- Test each version thoroughly
- Keep the best performing option
- Return all other versions
- Applied to everything from razors to luggage to food products
Implementation Details
- Create multiple Amazon Prime accounts
- Required because Amazon may ban accounts for high return rates
- Allows continued testing despite potential account restrictions
Example Applications
- Luggage testing
- Discovered camera bags are superior to regular luggage
- Found they typically hold more volume (50L vs 48L)
- Identified specific features that make them better
Benefits
- Allows thorough comparison of multiple options
- Provides hands-on experience with each product
- Results in finding the absolute best version
- Creates deep product knowledge
- Enables confident product recommendations
Key Insight
- Most people don't test products extensively enough
- The best product often comes from unexpected categories
- Systematic testing reveals insights that reviews miss
- Worth the effort for frequently used items
Caution
- May require managing multiple accounts
- Need to stay within return policies
- Could face account restrictions
- Requires significant upfront investment
Sam Parr
Host of MFM and fitness influencer
Sam Parr is a serial entrepreneur and business media pioneer.
In 2016, he founded The Hustle, a business news media company that started in his kitchen with just $12 and grew to eight figures in revenue.
Sam led the charge in making newsletters popular when few believed in their potential.
After four successful years, he sold The Hustle to HubSpot, a publicly traded company. Now operating as HubSpot Media, The Hustle reaches 3 million readers daily, employs a team of nearly 100, and has been the launchpad for dozens of its staff to found their own media companies and newsletters.
Sam remains the host of the popular business podcast, My First Million, and continues to start and sell companies. He also co-founded Hampton, a highly vetted community for entrepreneurs, founders, and CEOs, and teaches people to write better through his platform, Copy That.