For Sale By Inventor Reviews: The Good, The Bad, and The Truth
For over 15 years, we have been the subject of both praise and criticism in online reviews. We've even been the target of a coordinated online attack. This page is our commitment to full transparency. We will show you everything: our 5-star reviews, our 1-star reviews, and our direct, honest responses. We hide from nothing.
Watch: What our clients say about working with FSBI
For Sale By Inventor: What Our Reviews Say
Based on over 200 verified reviews across Google, Trustpilot, and the BBB, For Sale By Inventor (FSBI) holds an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. The company is noted for its transparent, fee-for-service model, where inventors retain 100% ownership of their ideas. Positive reviews frequently praise specific team members for their guidance, communication, and ability to make the patenting process less intimidating. Common negative themes center on misunderstandings about the company's role (FSBI does not invest in ideas or guarantee sales) and communication delays, which the company addresses with a money-back promise for research services and a commitment to fixed fees with no obligation.
The Invention Industry: A Minefield of Scams
The invention promotion industry is notoriously difficult for inventors to navigate. For every legitimate company, there are dozens of predatory firms looking to take advantage of the hopes and dreams of creators. The most infamous example is World Patent Marketing (WPM), a company that was shut down by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in 2017 after it was found to have defrauded inventors out of more than $26 million.
WPM operated on a model of deception. They made grandiose promises of wealth and success, charged exorbitant fees for services that were often never rendered, and used threats and intimidation to silence dissatisfied customers. Their actions cast a long shadow over the entire industry, making it harder for honest inventors to find trustworthy partners.
But this is not a new problem. Back in the 1990s, the Federal Trade Commission launched Operation Mousetrap, a major law enforcement sweep that targeted fraudulent invention promotion firms that had collected over $90 million from inventors with false promises.
We have been in business through all of it—the dot-com bust, the 2008 financial crisis, the rise of social media, and multiple FTC crackdowns. We have operated under the microscope of the FTC for over 15 years and have never faced a single sanction. The same cannot be said for many others in this industry.
The Invention Company Graveyard
It's a tough business. Many companies don't survive, especially those that don't listen to their customers:
These companies didn't hear the warnings or the negative sentiment from inventors. We have. That's why we're still here.
The Dangers of Astroturfing
One of the tactics used by companies like WPM is "astroturfing"—posting fake positive reviews to create a false sense of credibility.
As our founder, Neil Montgomery, wrote in his blog post "The Good, Bad & Ugly of Online Reviews," you should be wary if you see a product or service with all 5-star positive reviews from people who have only ever reviewed that one product. It's a classic sign of a company trying to manipulate its online reputation.
A lack of any negative reviews can actually be a red flag.
The Un-Invention Company
We are not an invention promotion company. We are The Un-Invention Company, a new model built from the lessons learned from the failures of others.
We built our entire model based on the feedback and reviews of real inventors who were tired of the status quo. We saw what was broken in the industry—the false promises, the hidden fees, the lack of transparency—and we built a new way.
Learn About Our SPARK Call →FSBI vs. Invention Companies vs. Patent Attorneys
A cost and review comparison to help you make an informed decision.
| Feature | Invention Promotion Companies | Patent Attorneys | For Sale By Inventor |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical Cost | $10,000 - $25,000+ | $8,000 - $15,000+ (hourly) | Fixed fees, starting at a few thousand dollars |
| Ownership | Often demand a percentage | You retain 100% | You retain 100% |
| Services | Vague promises, often useless | Legal services only | Research, patenting, marketing, licensing support |
| Transparency | Low (hidden fees, false promises) | High (but limited scope) | High (fixed fees, no obligation, money-back promise) |
| Common Review Theme | "Scam," "took my money," "no results" | "Expensive," "slow," "didn't understand my idea" | "Transparent," "helpful," "great communication" |
Our 5-Star Reviews
These are paraphrased summaries of verified reviews from Google, Trustpilot, and the BBB; you can read the originals on those platforms.
"One inventor praised Mike and Rose for designing a patent-pending product at a fair cost without pushy sales tactics, and said FSBI 'brought their idea to life'."
"An inventor was grateful for Mike Marino's positive guidance and upbeat energy, calling him a guiding force in their creative project."
"A client expressed immense gratitude for the team's commitment to her success, saying she couldn't have made her dreams a reality without their support and guidance."
"One inventor highlighted the welcoming team and the clear, step-by-step information provided, and appreciated the consistent communication."
"A client felt comfortable with the thorough answers provided by Kurt, even though the amount of information was initially overwhelming."
"An inventor was happy with the service, noting that the team helped him get off the ground with his first patent and took the time to explain everything."
"A client described her experience as pleasant, noting that the team followed through on their promises and walked her through every step of the process."
"An inventor praised Heather for her patience in explaining every step of the process for his first patent."
How We Handle 1-Star Reviews: Our Money-Back Promise
We are one of the very few companies in the invention industry to offer a money-back promise for our research services. If we can't find a path forward for your idea after the research phase, we will refund your research fee. This is our commitment to you.
We built this promise directly in response to negative reviews from inventors who felt they were sold services they didn't need. We listen. We adapt. We improve.
The 1-Star Reviews
We value all feedback, especially the critical kind. It helps us improve. Here are the most common themes from our 1-star reviews, and our direct responses. We believe these reviews are just as important as the 5-star ones.
"They won't invest in my idea!"
"They're good as long as you have money, like any business! But they won't invest anything!!!! Even to make MONEY!!!"
We understand this perspective, and we are very clear about our role: For Sale By Inventor is a service-based company, not an investment firm. This is intentional. It would be a conflict of interest for us to invest in some ideas and not others. Our fee-for-service model ensures that you, the inventor, retain 100% ownership and control of your idea. We provide the expertise to give your invention its best chance, but the financial risk and reward remain with you.
"They didn't get me a deal!"
"No one has responded to me yet. No phone call or email. I am concerned about this."
We can't guarantee results, and any company that does is not being truthful. The invention industry has a very low success rate. Our role is to create professional marketing materials and submit them to companies in your target industry. We provide you with a list of companies we contact, but we cannot force them to respond or make a deal. We offer a money-back promise for our research services if we can't find a path forward for your idea.
"They stole my idea!"
"I told them my biggest concern was someone stealing my idea...They then told me they couldn't help me!"
We have never and will never steal an idea. We are bound by a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with every person who contacts us. This protects both you and us. Every person who signs up is given a time-stamped copy of this NDA, which you can review at our Inventor Kit page. Additionally, all FSBI employees are required to sign NDAs. We take this very seriously. We do not develop inventions or bring them to market ourselves, and we have never profited from someone's invention without their consent.
"It costs too much!"
"I cant rate something that hasn't done anything for me but send me a bill."
We charge fees for our services, but we keep them reasonable compared to other companies and patent attorneys. We offer fixed fees with no obligation, so you know the full cost upfront. The main issue with patents is getting them issued, and our expertise helps streamline that process, which can save you money in the long run. We also offer a money-back promise for our research services.
"Why Don't You Just Buy My Idea?"
We hear this a lot, often from frustrated inventors who have been burned by other companies. They'll say, "If my idea is so good, why don't you just run with it and we'll split it 90-10? I keep 90, you keep 10." We want to address this head-on.
An idea is just the starting point. The real value comes from the execution: the research, the patenting process, the marketing, the manufacturing, the distribution. This requires significant investment of time, money, and resources.
We are not Shark Tank. Our role is to provide the expertise and services to help you execute on your idea. Why would anyone invest a single dollar in your idea if you don't feel it's worth investing any of your own?
We believe in empowering inventors to build their own success, not in taking a piece of it.
A Note on Guarantees
We are often asked if we can guarantee success. We also hear this a lot: "I'll only pay if you guarantee results." The answer is no.
No one can guarantee results. The invention industry is inherently risky, and any company that promises you a guaranteed hit product is not being truthful.
What we can guarantee is a transparent, professional process designed to help you avoid the most common and costly pitfalls that inventors face.
We Help You With:
- ✓ Thorough Research: To ensure your idea is unique and has a market.
- ✓ Proper Patenting: To protect your intellectual property.
- ✓ Professional Marketing: To give your idea the best possible chance of being seen by the right people.
Our goal is not to promise you a lottery ticket, but to give you a roadmap and the tools to navigate the difficult journey of bringing an invention to market.
A Note on Speaking with Past Clients
We are incredibly proud of our successful clients, and we showcase their stories through verified reviews, video testimonials, and case studies across our website and social media channels. We are often asked if we can provide contact information for these clients for a direct conversation.
In the past, we did provide this information. Unfortunately, we had to stop this practice. Our clients are busy people, and we found that their time was not being respected, with calls coming in at all hours of the day and night. To protect our clients' privacy and time, we no longer give out their personal contact information.
Instead, we have made a significant effort to provide a wealth of public-facing proof. We encourage you to read the dozens of verified reviews on Google, Trustpilot, and the BBB, and to watch the video testimonials on our YouTube channel. These resources provide a transparent and comprehensive look at the experiences of our clients.
A Commitment to Inventors
Our CEO, Neil Montgomery, is an inventor himself. He has faced the same challenges, the same fears, and the same online criticism for his own products. He built FSBI to be the company he wished he had when he was starting out: transparent, honest, and dedicated to the inventor's success.
He reads every review, and uses that feedback to learn and grow. This is not just a business for us; it's a mission.
"The first review of my product on Amazon pointed out an easily fixable flaw that didn't come up in testing that improved my product overall. The reviews since have been positive which have helped grow sales. It's important to listen to all feedback whether or not the review is positive or negative in nature."
— Neil Montgomery, Founder & CEO
How We Use Your Feedback & Reviews
We take every review seriously. Much of our service offering today is a direct result of client feedback. From our money-back promise for research to our fixed-fee structure, we are constantly evolving to better serve the inventor community.
Your feedback, good or bad, is a gift. These reviews are the foundation of our business.
Bathroom Wall Journalism: Anonymous Attacks in the Digital Age
In 2025, anonymous online defamation has evolved from questionable sites like Ripoff Report to algorithmic amplification on Reddit and Google. A single false post from a dormant account can devastate a business with no recourse, no appeals, and no accountability.
For Sale By Inventor has been targeted by what we call "bathroom wall journalism"—anonymous attacks that search engines and AI models amplify as fact. This is our story, why the system is broken, and how we're fighting back with radical transparency.
The Evolution of Online Defamation
Early 2000s: The Ripoff Report Era
Limited reach—most people questioned credibility. Sites operated in legal gray areas, but removal was sometimes possible.
2010s: The Social Media Rise
Wider reach through Facebook, Twitter, early Reddit. People started fact-checking, and platforms had basic reporting systems.
2020s: Algorithm Amplification
Global reach. Reddit posts outrank business websites. Google prioritizes high-authority platforms regardless of content accuracy. AI models scrape and repeat false information as "fact." Anonymous posters face zero consequences.
What Happened to Us
A damaging post appeared on Reddit—written by a dormant account with zero connection to inventing—that popped up just long enough to attack For Sale By Inventor before vanishing again.
Attempts to flag the post for trademark violation (our company name clearly in the title) were immediately denied. There's no real reporting option, no due process, no appeals—just your business's name written across the digital bathroom wall.
Even worse: Google's Gemini AI falsely reported that lawsuits had been filed against our company—something that has never happened. No consequence. No accountability. No way to correct it.
Our Response: Radical Transparency
We're not going to hide. We're not going to be silent. We're going to be louder.
- We're giving away all our secrets—how we help inventors, why our background is clean, and how our real reviews paint a true picture.
- We're making our process transparent—every service, every cost, every timeline, fully documented.
- We're amplifying real testimonials—real people, real names, real results.
- We welcome every honest question—ask us directly, and we'll answer publicly and honestly.
Compare that to anonymous Reddit posts from dormant accounts. Which source would you trust?
FAQ: Reviews, Complaints, and Legitimacy
References
[1] Federal Trade Commission. (2017). World Patent Marketing. https://www.ftc.gov/legal-library/browse/cases-proceedings/172-3010-x170024-world-patent-marketing
[2] Federal Trade Commission. (1997). FTC/State "Project Mousetrap" Snares Invention Promotion Industry. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/1997/07/ftcstate-project-mousetrap-snares-invention-promotion-industry
Leave Your Own Review
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