Apple Ipad 2 is an Ebay winner

THE FLOGGER OF SHINY TOYS made in China by underpaid workers slaving away in huge factory towns, Apple might have run out of its stocks of Ipad 2 tablet, although it has not admitted it, but the market for the touchscreen drinks trays is running wild, at least on the online auction site Ebay.

There the market for out of stock Ipad 2 tablets is very buoyant, and some models are selling for as much as $400 (£250) over the retail price.

That lofty sum was dished out for the biggest model, the 64GB G3 unit, which accounts for 14 per cent of the auction website's Ipad 2 sales, but most buyers are opting for the 16GB unit, which has 30 per cent of sales.

Even that model is selling for more than the retail asking price though, and Ebay said that on average people are paying up to $200 more for the privilege of not queuing up outside, or entering, an Apple store.

Most units - 800 of them - were sold in the US, although the units were sold all over the planet, added Ebay, including China where around 50 Ipad 2 devices have ended up. UK non-bargain hunters bought around 350 of the shiny drinks trays, while the Russian Federation purchased 500.

3G seems to be the most tempting feature in an Ipad, or at least it has garnered the most pounds for sellers. According to Ebay's statistics, while the 64GB 36 model sold for $406 (£252) above its retail price, the 64GB WiFi model went for $264 (£164) over the retail price tag. µ