So PS3 on ebay sounds like the best option but again what happens if the thing "poops" the bed?
Most of the consoles at Ebay come with a recipt of place of purchase, if its a major chain like Bestbuy or Circuit City or Walmart you may be able to take it back to the chain close to you and see if you could return it to them (probably can with walmart b/c they have no spine) Find one that appeals to you on Ebay, msg the seller and ask where he bought it and call your same local retail store and see if you could bring it back if anything was wrong with it.
Like I said Ive had my PS3 since it came out and I have 0 issues, My PS2 still works great after 7 years and my PS1 still works if I was inclined so to fire it back up.