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I think that's the best way to go, afa.
I had the same dilemma (I'm in Sydney, where are you?), and in the end went on gut instinct. I physically *saw* an iRiver in Harvey Norman, and could at least touch it and feel how solid and not-heavy it was, but they didn't have a model that worked or was loaded up ready for people to try out. I feel that's a missed opportunity -- or they were playing it safe, depending on what you think of iRiver's "work-in-progress" operating system and capabilities.
As with many things, my gut response hasn't necessarily made the best choice, but I've decided to make the most of it. I think most of the devices have drawbacks and compromises, and the Story was the one I was most visually drawn to and find the most pleasing in both a tactile and aesthetic sense. For some people that might seem completely irrelevant, but it makes a difference to my enjoyment (just as, if I really want to read a book, I'll take it in whatever format I can find it in, but by far I prefer a hardback copy with a pleasing or intriguing cover) -- it's part of the complete package.
Despite its various claims, I've come to the conclusion that the only format the iRiver Story adequately supports is ePUB. Disappointing, but it at least does that very well indeed, and I like the font it uses and the quality of the display. I've found ways to convert documents quickly to ePUB format (even though it's an extra step I really didn't want to have to take before reading a book), and it's a format that is perhaps the most supported by online e.book retailers (except Amazon, but in Australia the range of titles available from Amazon is somewhat limited anyway, largely 'coz of Amazon trying to be a 500lb gorilla over publishing rights and treating writers like a sweatshop industry. But that's another story).
I've just had a reply from iRiver to my request for technical information regarding the problems with various formats and their own lack of information, and I'm utterly dismayed (read: disgusted) at their lack of comprehension of issues and unresponsiveness to the situation.
So I'm going to hassle (lobby, stalk, whatever word you will) iRiver and try to get their OS and document support (and documentation!) improved.
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