Donkeysleuth, you can go to www.cnet.com to read up on consumer reviews of almost anything. I checked over there for the 3 Kodak Easyshares I'm interested in (LS753, LS743 and the DX7440) and all 3 have gotten really good reviews (of course, the reviews aren't from a large number of people, BUT, it gives you some idea of how those who have purchased them think of them.)
Also, I read on another thread here in the DIS that there is a place that has really good prices on the SD memory cards, www.zipzoomfly.com. Haven't used them myself, but the prices seem really good.
As for pricing on the Easyshares, www.costco.com has really good prices on the I listed above, but of course, you have to pay shipping and tax, and if you're not a Costco member there is a charge of something like $12-$14 extra. Still, look at the prices on the LS753 and the LS743. Those prices are great and the only place I found that have lowered the prices on them (especially the LS753 for $279.00!!!)
Let me know how things turn out for you. I seem to be sitting on the fence myself about which to buy.