According to this San Francisco Gate Article, many Apple stores and AT&T retail outlets are still having problems keeping the 3G iPhone in stock, more than a month after the initial launch of the device. High demand, availability in 22 countries, as well as the fact that the 3G iPhone can’t be purchased online were factors leading to the shortage of units. It has been estimated that over 2.5 million 3 G iPhones will be sold by year’s end. The shortage may finally ease once the iPhone 3G devices begin selling in Best Buy stores in September.

The demand for the newest generation of the Apple iPhone is so great that they are fetching upwards of $2,000 on internet auction site eBay, according to this article from PC World. The 8 GB version of the Three G iPhone is $199 new from AT&T with a 2-year contract agreement, while the 16 GB version is $299. Some carriers outside the U.S. are giving away the 3G iPhone for free as an incentive. The average price for a 8 GB version of the 3 G iPhone on eBay is currently in the $800-$900 range, while one auction reached a whopping $2,325. Once again, Apple did not have enough inventory of the new iPhone to match consumer demand. This happened when the original iPhone was released as well. But with the 3 G iPhone being able to work on other networks around besides AT&T, and the fact that the phone was released in over 20 countries on the launch day add up to a huge demand for the new 3G iPhone, even more than the original iPhone.

Pink Zebra Hard Cover Case for Apple iPhone 3G 3GS US $6.99 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 19:14:00 PST   | Watch this Item

Silver/Black Back Cover Case for Apple iPhone 3G 3GS US $0.01 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 19:14:02 PST   | Watch this Item

6x CLEAR SCREEN PROTECTOR COVER for Apple iPhone 3G 3GS US $0.01 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 19:14:02 PST   | Watch this Item

Replacement Li-Ion Battery pack for Apple iPhone 3G 3GS US $8.17 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 19:14:03 PST   | Watch this Item

Anti Glare Screen Protector for Apple iPhone 3G 3GS S US $2.60 Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 19:14:04 PST   | Watch this Item

IPHONE 3G 3GS BLING Diamond Back Case Cover Butterfly US $7.77 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 19:14:05 PST   | Watch this Item

7in1 Accessory Bundle For Apple iPhone 3G 3GS 16GB 32GB US $15.01 (0 Bid) Auction Ends: Wednesday Mar-10-2010 19:14:05 PST   | Watch this Item

Apple has released a press release that states one million 3G iPhones were sold in the first weekend of sale. After the official launch of the 3G iPhone on Friday, customers in over 20 countries ponied up $199 or more for the new device from Apple. This is in comparison to the original iPhone which took over 10 weeks to sell the same amount of units. The iPhone 3G goes on sale in France on July 17 and will be available in many more countries later this year. Apple’s Steve Jobs said “It took 74 days to sell the first one million original iPhones, so the new iPhone 3G is clearly off to a great start around the world.”