Thanks for the responses thus far...I really lucked out.
My worthless homeowner warranty company won't dispatch anyone without me paying $125/hr on a weekend when I have a $75 deductible. Last memorial day weekend, my A/C crapped out...85 degrees upstairs, yet it's not an emergency of any sort.
The tank had a 9 year warranty and it was a Kenmore. I checked the year on it and it was only 7 years old, so I was still within warranty. Sears authorized a free replacement for me to pick up today and I found a guy on craigslist to install it for $100. Paid an extra $25 out of my pocket than messing with the warranty company, but I've got hot water tonight rather than waiting for who knows how long.
This is what I got for free.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...2&blockType=G2