I was able to return the empty camera box [1] to CompUSA [2] in Deerfield [3] yesturday. When asked about the availability of the Olympus D-550 Zoom [4] they said that while they're still listed as being sold, they had none in stock but there was one at the CompUSA down in Plantation [5] we could try.
Gregory mentioned wanting to go, since he had to pick up some equiptment for his job today we drove all the way to Plantation (or I should say, he drove all the way, I went along for the ride) to check out the store. Of course the one model they had was the display model; no other units in stock.
Not deterred, we decided to try next door at Circuit City [6]. This time no Olympus D-550 Zoom cameras in sight. But that still left Best Buy [7] across the street. Might as well try there.
And it was a good thing we did. Not only did they have one left (the display model) but they were willing to sell the unit for $50 off the price (making it only $250), although I did have to suffer through the hard sell (“Do you want the extra-extended-super-safe-warranty? How about software? Or batteries? Or memory?”). As an added bonus, not only did I get the 16MB (megabyte) smart-card that comes with the camera, but the 64MB card the store had put into the camera (and that goes for about $50). The camera, despite being a show model, is in great condition and Spring [8] is very happy with it.
And so am I.
[3] http://www.deerfield-beach.com/community/community_history.htm
[4] http://www.steves-digicams.com/2002_reviews/d550.html
[5] http://www.plantation.org/