Mobile phone giant Vodafone is taking a leaf out of small businesses' books - by selling stock on eBay.

The company has had problems getting rid of its 'old' handsets - it changes the design every three months to keep up with fashion trends - and had previously sold a number to dealers for spares and repairs. But that often meant the outdated stock was being offloaded at a loss.

Cutting out the middleman and selling direct to consumers via the online auction house means Vodafone is now making 'maximum' returns.