Yes, I did have the impression that it was a department store type thing...especially considering I found it in a my mother-in-law's home. I think it does however have a superior sound and feel than most of the 'affordable' type guitars available now-a-days. Everyone I've found on the net who has one seems to love 'em. I've just started playing it and I'm pleasantly surprised so far.
It's interesting to see how many are floating around, and how they all seem to appear in Canada (I'm in Toronto).
Thanks for the info eitherway.