An Interesting theory on Amazon Rankings?

[imdaly]

Amazon is using the same type system that it used for book sales.

No conspiracy.

It was possible to make available using their technology, vendors liked it, consumers liked it too, and interested people have created these tracking sites to use Amazon's database tools.

Amazon mainly benefits from the publicity and the geek cool factor.

They have a long term interest in keeping the ratings honest and consistent.

Alrighty, Mr. Smartie...then what is their system for their book sales?

I mean, even if IS just the number of items sold, what are the terms of that? There has to be some sort of cut-off time limit such as "number sold within the last week" or something, cause if they simply ranked it by number sold ever, then it would be very rare to see anything new climb up to the top.

[moepain4u]

First of all this is my own theory and has no known proof. Just by my observation of ranking system.

First of all I have think of why Amazon has the ranking system, I don't believe it is to actually show the rank of movies but to be use in way to increase sales. We must ask why Amazon have a ranking system in place?

I believe that pre-orders are part of this plan. If allows them to rate interest in pre-order and most people knowing that there is interest in pre-orders, will actually purchase one that other like - then ones that nobody likes. There are of course exceptions - but like the majority will be this way.

Let take a look a specific Pre-order. This pre-order is "Planet Earth", This is expensive set and is also being air on TV like DiscoveryHD. I am not sure about this but I think the pre-orders on both sides are more than what than what I would expect. Large multi-set are good expensive and fact that this is documentary, will likely be boring in parts of this. I actually had this Blu-ray on pre-order but actually after watching some of shows on DiscoveryHD - I decided to pass on it. I don't care to fall into the Amazon Game.

The pre-order system is obviously getting abused on Amazon and they really don't care - because this help their sales. I email them about this and other response is that they can deluge how they run there stuff internally.

But don't get me wrong Amazon rating is still use full, it will tell what movies is hot - but I believe that caution should be taken when examing pre-orders. For me Pre-orders should not be on the list at all.

Please note, I desired to state this in general terms, its not a HD DVD vs Blu-ray thing - but just a feeling about the Amazon rating system and its purpose. Any comments.

You know what I find funny is all the Blu-Ray sheep were throwing Amazon numbers around back in January and February now something is wrong with Amazon.

[zombieflanders]

No one is complaining. But you're certainly not contributing anything.

[moepain4u]

No one is complaining. But you're certainly not contributing anything.

This whole thread is based on a Sony plants fantasy! Let me see if I can dig up those pro Amazon threads before they get deleted.

[zombieflanders]

This whole thread is based on a Sony plants fantasy! Let me see if I can dig up those pro Amazon threads before they get deleted.

Maybe you should read what Amazon actually says first. Oh, wait, you never research before posting. Never mind.

[moepain4u]

Maybe you should read what Amazon actually says first. Oh, wait, you never research before posting. Never mind.

What does ONE guy's fantasy have to do with what Amazon said? Or what I said about your camps support of Amazon back in Jan-Feb??


You guys are good at throwing charts around until the figures change and then something is wrong with the charts.

[moepain4u]

Let's keep bickering so we can get this fantasy thread closed

[Fozziwig]

You know what I find funny is all the Blu-Ray sheep were throwing Amazon numbers around back in January and February now something is wrong with Amazon.

There always has been a problem with Amazon. Right now a small group of people could set about placing pre-orders on a range of titles (either format) and they would go zooming up the charts. Then just before release day cancel them all with no penalty.

If Amazon would eliminate pre-orders from their sales charts then everyone could take them a bit more seriously.

Of all the places stats come from Nielsen VideoScan are the most useful and Amazon are the least useful. Amazon gives a rough guide to the market but that's about it.

[divian]

Amazon is not going to eliminate their great system of pre-ordering that helps them to forecast their inventory ( a pre -order system that has been working for years ) just because about 5 guys on the net are being suspicious that people are cancelling pre orders in order to create false numbers on two formats that are not even mainstream yet.

Amazon is not going to eliminate their ranking system as it is since it helps them create more sales in the hot items.

-What it can be done is to show on those reports only items that are on sale.
-What it can be done is that those 5 paranoid guys can ignore the pre orders and let the rest of the people rest in peace.

I personally would not trust numbers at all. There are so much money involved on this format war and certain powerful companies can apy as much as they can to buy everyone if they want.

Yes..I know I am the conspiracy theory king.

I can only believe in facts. One fact is that Fox is still remaining silent all this week.

[Fozziwig]

What does ONE guy's fantasy have to do with what Amazon said? Or what I said about your camps support of Amazon back in Jan-Feb??


You guys are good at throwing charts around until the figures change and then something is wrong with the charts.

Why would the Blu-ray supporters complain about the Amazon charts? Here's how they look today.





Now things have leveled off after the big Amazon sale, both the top 25 and top 50 show sales ratios above 2:1, so they are good for Blu-ray. The problem is that as long as they include pre-orders they are less accurate than DVD Empire who only report actual unit sales.

It's possible that pre-orders from both sides cancel each other out but I'd prefer it if they weren't there in the first place.

At the time of writing, for both formats, the #1 selling title will not be available for 3 weeks!

[moepain4u]

Why would the Blu-ray supporters complain about the Amazon charts? Here's how they look today.





Now things have leveled off after the big Amazon sale, both the top 25 and top 50 show sales ratios above 2:1, so they are good for Blu-ray. The problem is that as long as they include pre-orders they are less accurate than DVD Empire who only report actual unit sales.

It's possible that pre-orders from both sides cancel each other out but I'd prefer it if they weren't there in the first place.

At the time of writing, for both formats, the #1 selling title will not be available for 3 weeks!

Where were these fantasy theories back in January/Feb??

[zombieflanders]

Where were these fantasy theories back in January/Feb??

We've been stating Amazon's wonkiness for months now. Sorry you couldn't search and find out you're wrong. I know it can be hard.

[moepain4u]

We've been stating Amazon's wonkiness for months now. Sorry you couldn't search and find out you're wrong. I know it can be hard.

Hey thanks for pulling that up for me. Let me know where to send that shiny penny for your trouble. Now can you pull up all those pro Amazon threads? I'll send an extra penny if you do

[zombieflanders]

Why is the burden mine? You're the one making the claim. It's assumed that if you can't, your argument is useless, so I guess we'll see your response...never.

[moepain4u]

Why is the burden mine? You're the one making the claim. It's assumed that if you can't, your argument is useless, so I guess we'll see your response...never.

Yeah I'm still making the claim so prove me wrong. Okay I'll send you a shiny nickel if there are no pro Amazon post by Blu-Ray veal on this board.