iPhone Sales on eBay USA

MTM reported on Apple's iPhone marketing challenges recently--specifically, the number of unlocked iPhones for sale on eBay USA. Today, I reviewed iPhone sales developments on eBay USA and discovered some interesting stats:

• As of February 16, 2008, there are 3,627 iPhones for sale (auctions and Buy It Now)
  
  
• Of the 3,627, 1,154 are locked to AT&T and other Apple approved carriers and 2,473 (68%) are unlocked. 702 unlocked iPhones were for sale during my last count.
  
  
• Looking at the most recent completed sales (I used averages from the first three listing pages)
  
  
• 65% of all iPhones sold while 35% did not.
• 67% of all unlocked iPhones sold; 33% did not

Observations:

• The 16GB iPhones have hit eBay, potentially lowering the closing prices of 8GB models.
  
  
• Over a third of all iPhones don't sell on eBay with the first listing, whether locked or unlocked, forcing sellers to re-list. iPhone buyers may also be waiting for the 16GB model or purchasing their iPhones through authorized channels.
  
  
• The number of unlocked iPhones is skyrocketing rapidly.
  
  
• More than a third of all iPhones listed on eBay are used, possibly revealing product dissatisfaction.
  
  
• Only a few sellers are engaged in large lot sales of 50+, but a growing number of sellers are offering up to 5 units, the maximum number obtainable from an Apple store in a single visit.
  
  
• Buyers who purchase unlocked phones are willing to pay a premium of $100 or more rather than use unlocking services. Most unlocking service listings I counted did not sell.
  
  

As Apple seeks additional international carriers to market iPhones, its marketers need to better understand the gray market for distribution of this mobile device.