Special Edition Zunes Are Pretty in Pink

While overall sales may not be all that impressive, there is still a rabid enthusiast community looking to snag some 100 special edition pink-colored Microsoft Zunes, which have begun appearing on eBay.

Although it was unannounced, Microsoft apparently released 100 limited edition Zunes into the initial shipment of the players after its launch earlier this month. While some may question the company's choice of the color pink, the only others to have these players are the Zune team themselves.

The pink colored Zunes come packaged as a regular-colored model. Only when the consumer opens the box will they know if they have bought a special edition model.

"Congratulations," a card inside the box reads. "We couldn't resist slipping you 1 of 100 extremely limited edition Zune devices." Also included is a certificate of authenticity, as well as instructions on how to return the device to Microsoft if they wish to have a standard black, white or brown player.

Judging from activity on eBay, that's not likely to happen. One of the first players to appear on the auction site came from Bothell, Washington, and was #2 out of 100. That auction, which ended Wednesday, garnered a sale price of $761 for the seller after 33 bids, over three times the retail price of $249.99.

Another pink player has appeared on eBay from a Michigan seller, and as of Wednesday evening had a bid price of $305. That device was #19 of 100. The auction ends on Sunday.

Unannounced limited edition giveaways are nothing new. Companies throughout the years have had similar promotions in an effort to make the product an instant collectors item. It seems as if Microsoft is using the pink Zune as a way to generate more buzz for the product.

In related news, It's not yet clear how successful Microsoft's fledgling player may be in converting iPod users, but a new Reuters survey may shine some light on that. Of those expressing interest in the Zune, 35 percent were upgrading from another player.

80 percent of respondents when shown a list of players to choose from picked the iPod, while 7 percent picked the Zune. Digging deeper, of those choosing the Zune, 35 percent were upgrading from another player. Only 18 percent of those who chose the iPod were upgrading.