people don't really like canon that much in video they make good cams but sony and panasonic offer better cameras at around the same prices. The gl2 and xl1 are both good cameras, there's just better options. Buy the camera off of ebay, or an online store with a good rating. Just get the camera and a cheap fat ass battery. DOn't get it in a set with like a wide angle lens, case, tripod ect. All the accesories are crap. You'll end up buying good lenses and a good tripod in the end. I don't know about mack warrantys I have one on my camera but I've never had to use it, I have a vx2100. I'm about to buy a jvc hd100u and I'll probably get a warranty, just because you never know when shit might happen. Anyway, find a good price, if a place is selling somehting as new in box it'll be the same camera you get at an expensive camera store. Just use a credit card so you can dispute the charges if neccesary.