Well, not really the black market, more like the gray market. I came across someone selling Web Platforms on eBay (http://http://cgi.ebay.com/PIC-dsPIC33-Web-Platform-dsPIC-33FJ128GP204-/120642772592) from Hong Kong. I didn't realize there was that much of a market for these things that someone could make money selling them on eBay.
-Eric
And with direct links to Dangerous Prototypes. But the seller doesn't mention this site in anywhere else!
Edit: I found more, he also sells 3EEPROM board (http://http://cgi.ebay.com/Bus-Pirate-3EEPROM-Explorer-Board-/120642772768?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c16de9f20) and Bus Pirate with 3 EEPROM &LCD PCB (http://http://cgi.ebay.com/USB-Bus-Pirate-I2C-SPI-JTAG-Converter-Analyser-Free-PCB-/120642772399?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c16de9daf)
EBay board is green, Seeed board is red. Could these be prototypes that escaped? Also price is $40+$8 shipping. Seeed price is $37.15 plus shipping.
Interesting - it's the old PCB Ver. 1c of the web platform - same person is selling:
- Bus Pirate v3a (http://http://cgi.ebay.com/Bus-Pirate-Universal-Interface-v3-Free-PCB-USB-Cable_W0QQitemZ120642772261QQihZ002QQcategoryZ11175QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
- Bus Pirate 3EEPROM Explorer Board (http://http://cgi.ebay.com/Bus-Pirate-3EEPROM-Explorer-Board-/120642772768?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c16de9f20)
and
- Maple IDE STM32 Cortex M3 STM32F103RB Board r2 v25 (old PCB version - green PCB) (http://http://cgi.ebay.com/Maple-IDE-STM32-Cortex-M3-STM32F103RB-Board-r2-v25-/120642772914?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c16de9fb2)
I doubt they are "escaped prototypes". Looks more like someone may have started this around May/June 2010 when the new PCB designs were not available, yet.
I know this eBay seller, I've talked to them on various occasions. It is not Seeed, rather someone hand soldering boards and selling them. I don't have any problem with it, and it hasn't been a big source of support issues. DP doesn't have a sales tax license cause it would be a pain in the neck, so we can't sell on eBay ourselves, this is like free publicity :)
They appear to only have old stuff (must not be a huge seller). The Bus Pirate LCD board is super old, and won't even work with the current firmware (we never produced that board, so I don't feel inclined to include backwards support).
I dont fault anyone trying to make a few bucks if they are honest. Only concern would be a buyer coming back to DP with "this dont work" issues. If you will notice the no return policy.
Ah, if they're polite I don't mind ;) If we give fantastic support, they might buy some of our other stuff.