Hi Darren,
Thanks so much for the idea.
I've placed your "ajaxSuccess" code into the file "skin/common_files/modules/Product_Options/check_options.tpl", right towards the top. The price now successfully replaces on page load, but as soon as you change a product option that alters the price, the price won't change and firebug spits out the following error:
default_price is not defined
price = default_price;
in skin/common_files/modules/Product_Options/func.js
You can see this in action here, by trying to change a "frame color":
http://future.thefutureforward.com/~aso/Comrade.html
Let me know if you had another thought on where this code should be placed.
Thanks so much!