Are these prices you have paid recently? 250 for an 8 3/4 with 3:23 gears..that must have been a long time ago, and probably not an A body axle. But if it was, you got an amazing deal.
I paid $150.00 for an 8.75 housing, small bolt, complete less pumpkin about 20 or so years ago. Those days are long gone. Latest one I bought was $500.00 for a bare housing.