can't print service links before $links in a node template?

I'm happily using service-links in many websites..
but then i ran into this issue:
i wanted to output the service links content in a node template above the $links with "add a comment" and everything else.
When i did this the service links worked correctly but i could't have the $links anymore. I see a text "Array" instead. The div.links is still there but it is empty with only the "Array" text being shown.
If i come back putting $links above the service links everything works.
Did anyone notice this?
Is there a different way to output service links in a node template other than:

<?php
$links = service_links_render($node, TRUE);

print  theme('links', $links);
?>

Thanks,
Da.