The key thing is that ASICMINER won't be able to sell at that price again.
We won't know that until the next auction.
AM's proven record of rapid order satisfaction (which has now removed any uncertainty about their ability to deliver) and the resulting publicity may increase the final bids for future offerings beyond the initial results.
Exactly. A 4 day delivery time is insane compared to our competition. Each day of delay is worth, currently, ~0.6btc. The delays of Avalon are largely unpredictable. BFL flat out can't be trusted. AM delivers, and they deliver ridiculously fast.
Moreover,
At the price the Block Erupter Blades sold for I'd MUCH prefer that they sell the new ASICs rather than mining with them.
That is only true if you assume that the miners buying these are making a mistake. If they are overpaying it is better for us to sell them. If they are underpaying it is better for us to mine with them. I trust that they have worked out the math before making a bid for several thousand dollars. If they are paying just the right amount, it makes no difference whether we sell or mine.