I'm a nikon guy, and I would agree about the kit lenses. They are lower quality. I have found that lower quality lenses are more than acceptable for general purpose photography; family outings, birthdays, camping trips, etc... For the specialized areas (macro, wide angle and telephoto) a higher quality lens will make a huge difference in clarity and sharpness of the image, speed of focus, and aperture range. That cannon macro lens on Craigslist is a good starting point, and could be packaged with one of the kits.
Side note: when you do get your setup, buy a good UV filter for your lens. Don't skimp on this... it helps protect the main lens from dust and scratches. Think of it as the "sacrificial" lens that can be replaced when it gets scratched (not if...when...Lenses will always get scratched). A cheap filter will reduce clarity in your image and negates a lot of the benefits a good lens provides.
