The Wall Street Journal is reporting that there is a widespread iPod shortage (WSJ subscription required) across the US. How badly do people want iPods in time for Christmas?
The spotty availability of the iPod has created a booming aftermarket for the devices on eBay Inc.'s auction site, where a pink iPod mini earlier this week fetched $380, or more than $130 above the music player's suggested retail price. In April eBay created an iPod category on its site in response to active trading of the gadgets among its users. In its first month, there were 3,000 iPod-related listings, according to an eBay spokesman. Now there are about 18,000 listings in the category.