This may be a bit late, but I found this website about the same time as the original post.
Check out www.conical-fermenter.com The guy has SS conicals for better then half the price of the same-size Bilchmans. I've got a 14.5 gal on it's way right now and John's been super to work with.
$410 bucks for a 14 gallon conical isn't "better than half" the price of a Blichmann. They are a bit less expensive though.
A Blichman with tri-clamp fittings (which all the others have) at Homebrew Heaven is $921
$830 for a 14.5g Blichman on both Midwest and Williams Brewing.
$895 for a 14g on Morebeer. (Not Blichman, but their house brand, but comparable)
Now, NB, Austin and Brewmasters Warehouse all have the Blichman for $599
So, with 4 places with higher prices, and three with lower, I'm willing to state that on average, the price is higher for the Blichman fermenter.
830/2=415
415>410
So, yes, better then half price. At
most some places.