My '98 Camry came with company built cassette player. I wanted to buy a cd/mp3 player seperately and fit into car . When I went to Best Buy to buy and fit it, they said I will have to goto showroom and fit a company built cd player (which would be very expensive). But if I want to fix in a cd player purchased seperately, I will have to remove the cassette player.
Is there no other alternative to this?

I don't think CD players come with cassette decks. Toyota is one of the few companies that make a cd/cassette combo. Ususally it's an either/or not both.

you shouldnt have to buy a factory radio to fit...I recommend that you go to to your local stereo shop...im pretty sure that they will have a conversion kit to replace the slot of your stock...so you will be able to fit in a aftermarket stereo of your choice...giving you the option to reinstall your stock one back if you ever decide to sell your car...remember to buy the wiring harness also so your deck will be plug and play but most likely the shop should do that or at least ask if you would like one put in...hope this info helps you out

I think she wants to keep the tape deck and install a new CD player. If she wants to do that, she'll have to go through toyo.

If she just wants replace the tape deck with a new cd player then she shouldn't have to go through toyo.