From what I remember, there is a way to write new IDPS to PS3 - using IDPSet - this way you could get back to OFW and play normally, it's permament.
I do not recommend getting IDPS from Ebay - I've tried it few times and they would get banned in few days. Since I started to just get broken PS3s for cheap and dumped IDPS off them with E3 Flasher - no issues.