Thanks for the advice guys... I appreciate it.
@ Rich: Im familiar with the S.A folks here at RR, but unfortunately, they too are paying the same retail prices as I am, so 2'nd hand gear from them is still going to cost me far more than what Id pay if I bought from overseas, which I dont blame them for... as value wise, I wouldnt feel right offering someone a pittace for something they paid a lot more for...value wise. Whereas lets take for example the american $ price I quoted above for the 20D bit selling ner for approx. $800... Id be willing to lets say, make an offer for  a 2'nd hand one for about 700, provided it was taken care of... see that way whomever was willing to sell would ulimately only lose a value of $100 on a piece of equipment theyve had  the use of for ages...and Id get a camera Id usually pay nearly three times the price for here in S.A for a third  of the price.... even if it is second hand. Does this make any sense???

"If toast
always lands butter-side down, and cats always land on their feet, what
happens if you strap toast on the back of a cat and drop it?"

Steven Wright