The Pattern Trader, founded by Mark Shawzin, is a trading education company designed to help traders develop a more structured, disciplined, and repeatable approach to the financial markets.For many traders, the biggest challenge is not finding more information. There are endless indicators, opinions, news stories, and trading strategies available. The real challenge is creating a consistent process — knowing what to trade, when to enter, where risk is defined, and how to manage each position without emotion.The Pattern Trader methodology focuses on identifying high-quality trading opportunities through trend analysis, institutional price patterns, market structure, and disciplined risk management.Our flagship program, 1R Lock™ Structured End-of-Day Trading program, was created to help traders follow a structured framework built around clearly defined entries, stop losses, risk levels, and profit objectives. The objective is to remove emotional decision-making and replace it with a consistent, rules-based trading process.The 1R Lock™ approach focuses on:• Identifying high-probability stock trading setups• Recognizing repeatable chart patterns and market behavior• Defining risk before entering every trade• Building consistency through structured execution• Helping traders develop professional trading habitsThe Tactical Trading Room is our live educational environment where traders learn how to apply The Pattern Trader methodology in real market conditions. Members receive ongoing market analysis, chart reviews, trade education, and training designed to improve pattern recognition and decision-making.Our philosophy is simple:Successful trading is not about predicting every market move. It is about preparation, patience, risk management, and following a repeatable process over time.The Pattern Trader community is built for traders who want to move beyond random trading decisions and develop the discipline, structure, and confidence required to approach markets with a professional mindset.
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Is The Pattern Trader (Mark Shawzin) legit?
The Pattern Trader (Mark Shawzin) (thepatterntrader.com) has a 4.2 out of 5 rating on OK.one, based on 100 user reviews collected here. It is listed under Education & Training and its reputation is good. 78% of reviews are 4 stars or higher and 18% are 1 star; The business has replied to 60% of negative reviews; 4 of them were added in the last 12 months. Last updated 2026-09-03.
Maybe Mark is a great trader but since I joined his community there are no learning materials such as training videos or learning lessons. He charged me alot of money for Zoom calls only while his agreements was stating more than this.
In addition, when he saw that he was losing in the live market he switched again to trading options and started promoting his options course and wants us to pay more.
I am not sure about his situation, I went ahead and checked about his company registration in USA and found out that the company is registered as a consultancy therefore he is not allowed to teach. Especially financial instruments.
I also lost his latest trading recommendation on NVDA and MOU. His program is not worth investing in it.
You might see the previous recommendation of clients who were with him for years but since his program changed a lot I totally don't recommend it for new clients.
Reply from The Pattern Trader (Mark Shawzin)2024-03-22
Hi Bradly I am extremely sorry that you have incurred a negative experience with the pattern trader I would like to take exception with some of your comments we have 100's of hours of training videos on our SKOOL.com community platform. Additionally we are a trading education website we do not manage accounts we do not give signals as such we have an exemption as a publisher and are not bound by securities exchange commission trading regulations I am sorry you've had a bad experience and we would be happy to offer you a free trial. Tactical trading room please contact us at support@thepattern trader.com, and we will try and rectify all of your concerns
This is my genuine experience and review of the pattern trader and Mark Shawzin to help others decide whether or not to join.
They charged me $10,000 for a two year membership which is one of the most expensive programs out there and after 6 months I have not continued and will not be continuing with them.
The attraction was that they seemed genuine and the Elite program I joined should have helped me to become a skilled trader and the fact that Mark gives daily trade recommendations should have helped to pay the investment back.
Marks trades lost and continued to loose money. They said be patient but 6 months of loosing money was enough. How can I aspire to break even and then be profitable when the expert is just loosing money.
The training is non existent. A few patterns and channels that you can get from any book. There is no real clear strategy or edge you are left to work out your own strategy.
The daily sessions with Mark are useful to have a general view of the market but it doesn't teach you how to trade.
The 4 coaching sessions were useful but again they don't teach you how to trade.
They do give a guarantee but don't honour it. I didnt ask for the $25,000 guarantee or a refund I only asked to down grade to a cheaper program and Mark refused.
In summary an extremely disappointing experience. My conclusion is that they make their money from cleaver marketing and selling training but not from trading.
Signed up to TPT after being emailed many times with (what it seemed) a great offer.
Show up to his daily zoom calls, copy Marks detailed trades and if you were out of pocket, you would be refunded.
This was also backed by a written contract.
Six months into the program I contacted support with my concerns that I was still making losses.
The coach I talked to offered little to zero advice and just said "it was better last year".
Tried contacting support again as nothing had changed but no reply.
Received no further contact from support until after my subscription had finished asking me to sign-up again.
I contacted Mark direct and he replied telling me there would be no refund as I had not asked for any help after six months of starting which is nonsense as I still have the email proof.
He says his policy is always to operate in an honest, transparent manner... what a joke.
It seems the contract we signed is meaningless and just for marketing purposes.
I have tried contacting Mark direct on numerous occasions to try and resolve this matter but I never receive a reply.
No refund when their agreement said that they will
My money also gone forever, they have charged me $10,000 for two years whereas, I have found out that they charged other members $10,000 for 5 years. This is unfair at all. Not only that as per the agreement we signed with Mark that if we are not successful within the first year he will refund us back an additional $25,000. But when I asked him to refund at least one year fees of $5,000 he refused.
In addition, the level of education that we are receiving from the pattern trader reduced by around 75% from what they have agreed to give us.
He is saying that he is making his money from Trading but I believe his main source is the education arm because he refused to refund us when we asked him.
This is called scamming your money. It is one of the biggest mistakes that I ever made by joining this community.
I am a member of this group long time , no benefits . I pay the life time membership, but I haven’t received any weekly trading advice for 4 months, no reason,I wrote email many times, but no answer. I lose my membership whenever I benefit or not, I am so sad
There are hundreds of different trading mentors and companies out there of which most of them I have belonged to over the 15 years of trading, so I have personal experience which ones work and which ones were a waste of money.
I joined The Pattern Trader with Mark Shawzin over 6 years ago and he is my #1 Mentor for his insight and education on how to "read" the markets based on price pattern alone.
It's amazing how much money you can make when you simplify the process!
No more crazy looking charts, no more having to stay up on every news article to try to guess the markets next move, no more sleepless nights wondering if I placed the "right" trade.
If you have a passion for trading, Mark would be the person to go. He's honest, shows his trades, what he would and would not do in certain trades, explains everything along the way. He does not complicate things. Instead he makes it so easy to understand a five year old would get it.
Members always look forward to his morning live Briefs throughout the week before the market opens where you can interact with him with questions as well as his emails the afternoon before to set up for the next day trades and the Sunday recording of what to look for in the upcoming week.
If I had to choose just one Mentor and had to get rid of the rest, it would be Mark Shawzin at The Pattern Trader. He really is the best!
Reply from The Pattern Trader (Mark Shawzin)2023-07-26
Hi Anne I am so grateful (and somewhat overwhelmed) by your very kind words and review of me and our service. After spending decades making all of the mistakes, I started The Pattern Trader with the objective of sharing my learning and trading journey. I am so glad i can be of some benefit to you. I wish you continued health...and, of course, trading success.
I have been with Mark for several years. I have made a great deal of money by following his system. Mark explains in detail what he is looking at, on the chart, and what he thinks price will do. He is correct most of the time. His training is right on. If you learn his system and follow it, your account will grow. Mark repeats often that we take trades with small risk and large rewards. If the trade doesn't act the way you think it should then get out, and look for another trade. Dick M
Reply from The Pattern Trader (Mark Shawzin)2023-07-26
Hi Dick thank you so much for posting your experience. You have been a long and valued member of The Pattern Trader, and as always I really appreciate your continued support
Listened to some of Mark Shawzin introductory webinars in 2021 & 2022 and wished that I had subscribed as he called the top of the market late 2021 before it declined.
Mark is the most important mentor I have had as a novice trader. Since then, his expertise has led me to understand price action, which is invaluable. Absolutely, 5 stRs.
I have been with Mark for the last 5 years and before that I was listening to a lot of different traders. Mark is brilliant at what he does and an excellent trader with many years experience. Since I've been with Mark I have continued to make money trading.
Mark is a great and responsible person and have a great knowledge and experiences in Forex and stock market. His strategy for trading is amazing and produce great results.
An update to my review below.
Still no communication from them. I have now cancelled my credit card. Should call them to chase/complain but I am in HK and the tz makes it difficult.
Bottom line. avoid!
Reply from The Pattern Trader (Mark Shawzin)2023-07-22
Hi Sarit. I am terribly sorry for the lack of follow up to your concerns. Please contact me directly and let me know if there is anything I can do for you. You can email me directly at: [email protected]
I am writing a review of The Pattern Trader service.
I have been an Elite member for over a year now.
This is my opinion of the service.
So to start, it is not a scam, as some people on here say.
You pay for a service of stock trading mentorship. You will receive that.
There is a daily Zoom call that lasts about 30 minutes where Mark discusses his view
on the market through what patterns the charts are making, which is his system.
You will also get a daily email with a stock or Forex trading idea with the chart
drawn out to show entry / exit. Risk and reward. Mark does consistently emphasize that.
So if you follow every day, then this concept will become more natural to you and should
be part part of your daily analysis. Plus you get access to all his educational material.
So this is what you get for your money.
Now things I have issues with:
It is difficult, if not impossible to get a refund. I think this is why people think it's a scam.
You will get the advertised service, but if you think it's not for you or are unhappy, it will be difficult
to get any money back. His administrative staff is bare bones so that may be part of it. And the criteria for
a refund is onerous. I personally did ask for a refund. Whoever answered my email just demurred and said they
would mention it to Mark. Now, guess what. Mark himself called me back personally to discuss things.
He took over 30 minutes to discuss the market and system, etc. So that was kind of him. But, guess what.
Still no refund.
I purchased a multi year plan so I guess I'm in it for a while. I would recommend not purchasing more that one year.
Now perhaps a bigger issue. The system itself. Or the trades that come in the emails and other things that
Mark has mentioned in the Zoom calls are not working very well. At least not for the last 18 months. Mark is
regularly saying things aren't working and we should just wait until the market starts trending again. I find this
a bit disconcerting since the patterns are the patterns. Why would you need a trending market to if the patterns work?
Some of you may disagree with me on this, saying the overall market dictates things, but my understanding of the pattern
trader system is that the patterns of a stock should prevail despite that.
One thing I find quite frustrating is that Mark will regularly talk on the Zoom call about how much money he is making daytrading stocks
and options. Basically using a system that is NOT the swing style of the pattern trader but rather daytrading options. I find this
frustrating. This is supposed to be swing trading not daytrading. Furthermore, a lot of the stock picks he puts out on the nightly
email, he is already in with options. So in the morning when you enter the trade, he is already closing his options positions.
He has now gone to offering an options service completely different from the pattern trader. So I signed up for swing service and I now have
a daytrading service. I'll let you make up your mind on this. You could say he's adjusting to the environment, but I find it annoying.
A lot of folks do like him and his service. Personally I find him genuine, but I could go either way, based on what I said above.
There is enough good to have you consider his service, but I have some issues.
Reply from The Pattern Trader (Mark Shawzin)2023-07-23
Hi Michael,
Thank you for taking the time to share your detailed review about our services at The Pattern Trader. I really value the opinions of our members and are committed to making improvements based on your feedback.
Firstly, I am pleased to hear that you find my stock trading mentorship, educational material, daily Zoom calls, and email updates valuable. I work tirelessly to ensure that our services live up to the expectations of our elite members.
Regarding the performance of my trading methodology, I am always candid in all my presentations and go to great lengths to explain trading involves risks and market conditions can greatly impact the success of any trading strategy.
I realize my methodology, and approach is not for everybody. My trading success is based on just a few trades, so if you miss or do not take a signal, it can greatly impact your overall performance.
Effectively my emphasis is on the quality of your wins, not the quantity of losses. With my methodology, I can literally lose 5 out of 6 trades, and still come out a big winner.
On your comments about the day trading practices, we sincerely apologize if this has caused any confusion or frustration. Our goal is to provide the best possible strategies for our members, and this includes being adaptable to market conditions. However, we understand how this could be misleading if you signed up for a specific service. We will work on improving our communication about any shifts or additions in our services, to ensure our members understand the strategies we are currently implementing.
We appreciate your candid feedback and for voicing out your concerns. It provides us with the opportunity to assess and improve our service. Should you have more insights or need any assistance, please feel free to reach out to us. We are here to ensure your satisfaction and success in your trading journey.
Thank you once again for your valuable review.
Mark
I find it really difficult reading some of the negative reviews. Not my experience at all of working with Mark who I find to be direct, honest, committed and loyal to his subscribers. I've been working with Mark for 2 years and just getting into his new options program. Just made £1.5k from a Tesla trade, £1.3k from a DIA Call option and now just jumping into Roku and SLB thanks to some great analysis on the price action from Mark. But I'm also learning to stand alone too - looking for my own great price action. Made around £3k from Twilio from various trades. I think Mark is great. I've turned my original £6k investment into more than £20k in just over 2 years so I would absolutely recommend working with Mark if you have a genuine interest in understanding patterns, are prepared to take some risk and have the drive and discipline to learn. If the answer is yes, you'll make some money.
Reply from The Pattern Trader (Mark Shawzin)2023-06-02
Thanks Kerry for your awesome comments. I am very gratified and ecstatic over your great trading performance. Keep it up...I will do what I can on my end :)
I requested a refund because I realized it was not legitimate. Scammed me out of 5k. Stay away from this scammer. Hes the onkly getting rich from scamming everyone out of 5k per pop.
Reply from The Pattern Trader (Mark Shawzin)2023-07-23
Hi Kevin,
I take allegations of this nature very seriously and are committed to providing a trustworthy and secure service to all of our customers.
My policy is always to operate in an honest, transparent manner and it seems there has been some misunderstanding.
If you recall, I reached out to you personally to discuss this matter.
When I spoke with you, you told me you were at a funeral, and would call me back. You never did call me back.
By electing to use very inappropriate (defamatory language), and avoid, or refuse any attempt, to resolve this matter reflects very poorly on the accuser, not the accused.
I remain open to speaking with you to address any outstanding concerns you may have.
Sincerely
Mark
Learn And Make Money From A Honest Top Notch Trader
I have been watching Mark For several years now and I am now a member of his elite program. I noticed a negative review regarding refunds. I would like for you to understand that there are others that mark has dealt with that tried to scew him up. They are no longer with him. These people were not the most Honest, and has unfortunately has caused his website and support team turmoil. It breaks my heart that others have caused him so much grief. He is in mop up and reorganizing phase rght now, so please keep the negative reviews in perspective.
Mark doesn't Need to do this business at all. I have watched him make hundreds of thousands of dollars in a few days. He has done his business to give back to the community.
In brooklyn we say that Mark is a "stand up guy." Mark shoots from the heart and I have found him to be a very caring person. This is the type of person that I choose to be friend with, and I wish that I could be Mark's friend. I trust him implicitly, and he is all about giving value.
Mark has decades of experience to share and has a uncanny ability to know when a market turns for you to
" load the boat up " and make alot of money.
Mark is special and you can learn from Mark what you won't learn from others. I know this sounds a bit odd, but it is True as I see it. Mark enjoys sharing his knowledge of pure price analysis of charts. Mark teaches you his thinking out loud, and you would miss out on special situation opportunity to make money and educate yourself to be a successful trader if you pass him by.
Check out his new program!
I wanna say thanks for every things i am learned from in the past time and joined elite program and it was just a good exprience and much use full for me to learn what is really trader and how come it be a good trader.
You are Amzing Mark Shawzin!!!
I really respect you and what you are doing... Thank you
I really respect you and what you are doing... I like that you share how you think and the back and forth that happens in your mind... As it shows that there's a constant struggle, but it's about what you teach, managing position size, the trade itself, how to enter a trade, how to find good pockets of risk/reward...
Reply from The Pattern Trader (Mark Shawzin)2023-05-08
Hi Samy...Thank you so much for your kind words and constant support in the pre-market "Boiler Room" sessions...let me know how I can be of any help to you, now, or in the future
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