Judging by some of the reviews, I would not buy a Coby product.
Here's one of their 2GB mp3:
http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-players/coby-mp-c7092-2gb/4505-6490_7-32466873.html
I've only seen their products in CVS stores, They look really cheap.
Creative and SanDisk are two reputable manufacturers you may want to consider, that produce mp3 players, that are less expensive than apple products.
Like this one:
http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-players/creative-zen-4gb/4505-6490_7-32589082.html?tag=mncol;lst
or
http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-players/sandisk-sansa-fuze-4gb/4505-6490_7-32896579.html?tag=also
Or Creative products in that price range:
http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-player-reviews/?filter=1000036_6251041_100021_8806902_&tag=mncol;dir1
There are reviews of most mp3 players on the site.