alright, well heres an update. my mom has been searching around and found this:
http://www.fotoconnection.com/p53071-canon-eos-400d-digital-rebel-xti-package-5.html
looks like the XTi might be mine after all
DO NOT BUY FROM HERE!
Quite honestly, there are tons of camera websites that will try and screw you. What you do is you buy the camera, but then you get a phone call or e-mail saying your order didn't go through and you need to call them. When they get you on the phone they pressure you into upselling all kinds of crap that you don't need like an extended warranty. Or they tell you that the battery that comes with the camera only lasts for 15 minutes (not true) and you should buy one with a rapid charger and warranty from them for like $500.
This is how these companies make money, they sell cameras for ridiculously cheap but then pressure you into buying accessories for 500% of what they actually cost. If you don't go for it, then they simply cancel your order and hang up on you.
This is actually much more common then you think, be VERY careful who you order a camera from online. I have had a few of my friends who have had issues buying cameras from these sketchy websites.
Last, don't necessarily pay attention to reviews of the website online. A lot of times people are paid to post good reviews of the website to outweigh the negative reviews by people who have actually purchased products there.
Just my .02.
Check out some reviews here:
http://riftwave.net/blog/images/fotoc.html
Broadway Photo is another website that is well known for this sketchy tactic.