Amazon Kindle Selling for Double Price on eBay

Amazon's precocious Kindle e-book reader may not have convinced everyone of its merits, but I guess it didn't have to. The unit sold out quickly (and Amazon says no more will be delivered before Christmas), and it's now selling for huge premiums on eBay, that great indicator of an item's true market value.

How much? The average selling price is currently $830, with at least one seller asking (and one getting) a whopping $1,500 for the unit.

The news comes as a real surprise to those of us who (myself included) had predicted the Kindle would not sell well at $399, thinking it was far too expensive for the mass market.

While this may just be the early economic throes of a small market that nonetheless has more demand than supply (remember that early-model PS3s sold for similar premiums right after their release), it's still an impressive sign of strength and an indication of a bright future for the e-book market in general. Perhaps e-books aren't the minuscule niche we'd thought them to be? When Amazon gets additional supply on the market—or possibly a Kindle with an improved/tweaked design—then perhaps we'll see what e-books can really do. 

LINK: Sold-Out Kindles Going for Up to $1,500 on eBay