johnwasser:
The easiest way to burn a bootloader is with an ISP device like the USBTinyISP or USBasp. You can buy one for less than the price of an Arduino.
Actually you can buy USBasp programmers on ebay for less than the cost of a m328 AVR chip.
(prices start at about $3.00 USD, including shipping to your door.)
Having an ISP programmer allows you to burn the bootloader yourself and never again have to pay the $1-$2 USD markup
for this "convenience".
--- bill