I purchased my Nokia E61 online, it isn't available for general sale in the U.S., or wasn't when I got mine last year. It is on the cingular network - software updates etc. I had to search Howard Forums to find, but once done and set-up, it has run good (fingers crossed).

Cingular had no difficulty putting it on their network and even waived the 2 yr contract requirement because I had my own phone.

As for warranty work, with any of this stuff, you take your chances - sadly!