If you're looking at bikes/trikes such as Actionbent, you should also be aware that there are reasons they're cheaper. Compared to a 'brand-name' recumbent, they will be heavier. From what I've seen, the designs still (after many years) are not quite as polished. For instance, one model I saw from a few years ago had the chain line going right through the chain stay and required a chain tube to deflect the chain & keep it from chewing the frame in half. Also, you're not paying for local bike shop support. I wouldn't go so far as to tell you DON'T buy from one of those importers; but if you do, be very careful about what you're getting, and expect to do your own work on them. Otherwise shop costs could eat up all your purchase-price savings and you'll be left with a cheap bike that cost as much as the better ones you couldn't afford.

As far as trike vs bike. Really, the only advantage they have is that they're harder to tip over. They're harder to store, harder to transport, harder to pedal down the road, and harder to get in and out of. They're loads of fun; but that's more of a subjective analysis than the other items.