Amazon.com's Kindle Only Available For Scalpers (AMZM, EBAY, SNE)

We were quite interested in Amazon.com’s (NASDAQ:AMZN) upcoming product release for the new e-book reader, the Kindle.  Interestingly enough it almost immediately sold out of its initial supply and gave its first website update with an estimated December 5 ‘availability date’ to buyers.  That was right around Thanksgiving.  But if you look at the site now, forget about this being a Christmas or Hanukkah gift for 2007.  See below:

Availability: Temporarily out of stock. Order now and we’ll deliver when available. We’ll e-mail you with an estimated delivery date as soon as we have more information. Your credit card will not be charged until we ship the item. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
Kindle Availability:  Due to heavy customer demand, Kindle is temporarily sold out. Because we ship Kindles on a first-come, first-served basis, please ORDER NOW to reserve your place in line. Your Kindle will not arrive by December 25th. Note that Kindles cannot currently be sold or shipped to customers living outside of the U.S.

But there is at least one place you can buy the Kindle.  eBay (NASDAQ:EBAY) has many Kindle units on auction, for quite a premium.  As of now and depending upon the seller’s rating at eBay, the bids are in excess of $600, $700, and even over $800….. not bad for the seller considering that this retails at Amazon.com for $399.00 for those who can be patient for yet a few more weeks.

Walt Mossberg at the WSJ only gave Kindle a so-so review.  You can always buy the ‘lower-features’ eBook reader from Sony Corp. (NYSE:SNE/ADR) for $299.95… and you can buy it on Amazon.com.

Jon C. Ogg
December 4, 2007