Of course there are cheaper alternatives. But there are good cheaper alternatives and very, very bad cheaper alternatives.
Get the CAP Barbell OB-86B for $125 on Amazon, as has been mentioned on these boards tens of thousands of times if you need a serviceable barbell in the sub-$250 range. It's the only one I'm aware of. Hot-rolled 32mm barbells are junk.
On a side note: Don't drop a bar onto rack safeties. Place it on them if you must, but try to avoid that too. But never EVER drop a bar onto the rack safeties unless it's life or death. Sure-fire way to mess up your barbell, even if it's a good one.