Buy Road Ready Hardcase from Ranking Sports bro should be less than 100 bucks. 85 if not mistaken. Pretty reliable tho not as solid as SKB. Can protect ur guitar well unless you always go touring around europe
Use only a hardcase if you are very sure that you need one (i.e. travelling overseas). I myself used to use a hardcase for everyday purposes and the weight is just too much for me, so i opted for a softcase in the end...
I use SKB for all my guitars. I got mine for less than $200 at sweelee awhile back. maybe what you got was their list price, which is jacked up. Alternatively, BGW has some nice cases.