3) Which do you prefer:
3a) ASICMiner sells USB miner for 0.5 BTC. Customer sells it on ebay for $400.
3b) ASICMiner sells USB miner for 1.99 BTC. Customer sells it on ebay for $400.
Ebay prices have dropped quickly after the price cut. Remember not everyone who is ready and willing to buy USB miners has the BTC to do so. Ebay makes an easy way to purchase them with fiat, albeit with a markup.