XT/350D Service/Repair...Help?

So i'm looking around for a used XT, and I saw one that caught my attention. The seller says:
The camera could use a servicing because there appears to be some
spots on the sensor when taking shots of a pure white object at f/22.
This doesn't effect normal shots at all because you hardly ever are
shooting completely solid light color images at that small of an
aperture. I've also noticed that there was a spot of something inside
the viewfinder. This in no way appears on your image because it isn't
on the sensor. The rubber grommet that goes around the viewfinder is
also missing which can probably be replaced with servicing. I've been
using the camera now without it for a few months now and it doesn't
really make a difference, it's basically just for comfort. All of
these things should be easily serviceable by canon's proffessional
service center in California. I talked to a canon representative and
he gave me the phone number and address of their service facility.
I'll send some detailed photos of the camera soon when I get a few
minutes off. The camera is in cosmetically excellent
condition.

What do you guys read from this?

How much does servicing like this cost?

The seller is "unsure of the shutter actuations" but
"the camera is about 1 year old. Only used for home/recreational
photography so the shutter has plenty of life left on it."

Please help me not to buy a peice of trash! THANKS in advance!

Sounds like dust on the sensor.

Dust can be removed the following ways:

Yourself with a rocket blower (very low risk of damage)
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …0_Rocket_Air_Bl​ower_.html

Yourself with a sensor cleaning kit (moderate risk of sensor damage)
http://www.bhphotovide​o.com …ensor_Swabs_12_​Pack_.html

By a repair person (they take all the risk)
$30 at my local shop.

In addition there are vacuum kits and electrostatic brushes that that you can purchase to do the cleaning yourself; however, from what I have seen and read the results can varry.

I don't know what a damged sensor looks like, but this could be a possibility as well.

Hope this helps.

The "spots on the sensor at f/22" is a classic description of ordinary sensor dust. It just needs the sensor cleaned, which is a simple do-it-yourself operation that all DSLR owners should know how to do.

Dust in the viewfinder is something that happens with SLRs, and you learn to live with it. Cleaning the focus screen is something that is as likely to end up with a mess as with success. If it really bothers you, you can order a new focus screen from Canon for something like $10 and put it in yourself.

Neither one is worth the $200 service fee that Canon will probably charge you.

The missing eyecup is not uncommon, as it's made to be easily detachable to allow the viewfinder cover to be slid into place for tripod-mounted pictures. A replacement eyecup shouldn't be too expensive.

I didn't see anything in you message that would cause me any concern about the camera.

Thanks a bunch. That gives me alot more confidence now. It looks like I might be taking up this deal.

I purchased a eye cup for under $20 at the local camera store once, found mine in the gear bag later that day. They are cheap