The Non VC is known to be sharper, besides with a wider aperture, IS is not as important. I for one, have never missed IS on the lens, sure if it was a longer focal length then IS would be a blessing but at this focal length not so.
Francis: The price just seems to be inching upwards, I had got it for 18k with B&W, and in 2010 the price was 17k. And its not a phenomenon for this particualr lens, I have seen the prices inch up every year. Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 was for 27k 2 years back, and now its closer to 34k, same is the case with Tamron 70-200 f2.8 prices have increased 3k since last year. Makes me think to take a risk and order it from someone coming down from the US...