It is unfortunate that the price has gone up, but it's clearly due to such high demand for the phone. Some areas where VM isn't as popular or has multiple resellers might have more stock, but in many places it doesn't seem to be the case.
Living on the north side of Chicago, only a RadioShack close by that sells it. Went in two weeks ago on a Wednesday, online site said the store had stock. Turns out they just sold out. Contract for VZW was running out Thursday, had to buy the Intercept to port my number to VM. RS said they might get some in on Friday. Check the site, says they have them again, but call in to the store before going in. Only one unit in stock. They said they only get 2-3 units every few days and they tend to sell out the day they receive them. Run over there and snatch it up. Returned my Intercept the next day.
At VZW with 350 minutes (non-listed, grandfathered plan), unlimited text and data with a HTC Droid Eris, total: $95.65/month with tax.
At VM, $199.99+tax (214ish) phone, $25/month plan. 3 months of VZW = Phone + 3 months VM. After that, pure $70/month profit.
It sucks to bite the bullet and drop $200+ on a phone, but that's life on a non-major provider. Service and data speeds have been excellent, looking like I'm sticking with VM