[*Angie*]

First off, I'd like to thank all the nice folks here who've answered all my questions as I was trying to decide whether to buy the 500 or the 505 Reader.

Right up to the end, I knew I'd be happy with either, so finally decided to go with the 300, which was the less expensive option. I'm in Canada, so the 300 was available for $259 and the 505 for $299.

So, first I head to my local Future Shop, but they don't carry the readers in store, only online. Ditto Staples. No problem, I'll forego immediate satisfaction and order online.
Now, we don't own a regular credit card (we'd suck at controlling impulse purchases, otherwise). Instead, we have a pre-paid Mastercard that we use to buy online where Paypal isn't available, rent cars, book hotels, etc. We've used it dozens of times without issues.

I try the Sony store first, but they won't accept a prepaid Mastercard. Huh. Never had that happen before. Oh well, I'll try Futureshop. Hey, they won't accept it either. That's annoying. OK, I'll try Staples. Oh, Staples only has the 505. I guess I'm getting the more expensive one after all. That's ok, I'm cool with that. No, wait. They won't accept the darn card, either.

Now I'm thinking that I'm going to be out of luck on buying a reader all together. I start thinking like crazy where else might possible sell this type of thing. Oh, what about Sears?! I give them a call, they're not available in store, but they do have them online via their catalogue order. Check online and they only have the 505... but it's only $259! Woot! Plus, they deliver to the drugstore in my town and I can pay COD when I pick it up.

What an ordeal, eh? The darn thing better be really nice when it gets here next week LOL