MikeyMcFly

Sears (as long as they are in business) has the Shop Your Way program. I signed up years ago and keep getting offers for things like $8 off of $8. I use that to purchase sockets a la carte as most sockets are somewhere in the $4 to $9 range. I think I've probably picked up at least a dozen sockets in the past 6 months and haven't paid more than $10. Are they top of the line stuff, of course not, but they probably are enough for 95% of the people here.

I've got the popular Hansen socket trays for SAE and Metric for 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive. I've filled my 3/8 for SAE and metric and have been going after my 1/2" drive next. I just got a pair of 1/4" drive sockets this morning for free.

ztheusa

I have bought sockets at a pawn shop. They have bins with piles of sockets in them. Get the one you need that just rolled off your engine and disappeared into the void.