Just as the title states, can we PLEASE ban Amazon Hourly? We have 2 or 3 members making threads almost daily (it's got to be at least once or twice a week) using Amazon hourly bestsellers to "prove" the Xbox One is ahead in sales. This isn't really a problem with what console they are pushing, but what data they are using to support their case. Let me tell you why.
First of all, the hourly bestsellers are just that, products that have sold the best for the hour. Which means THEY CHANGE EVERY HOUR. So, there is no point in creating a thread about how the sales line up when you see them, since within an hour or two they can change and make you look rather foolish. Also, considering the fact that it is only for the hour, the difference in sales could be as much as a few dozen units (if they are only a few spots apart), to as little as a couple of units.
And second, if you want to even be taken seriously, use the numbers that actually mean something. That is the MONTHLY Bestsellers, if you are trying to get a feeling about how NPD could go, and the YEARLY Bestsellers, which gives you an idea of how things stack up for the year. Of course, as with any site's/store's numbers, you have to remember that they only represent a fraction of the market. Still, they can be a good representative of how things are going in other stores, even if not always accurate.
So, that's my message. What are your thoughts? Anyway, I'm off to club some seals.