$20-40 bucks PER shock is more like it. And the ride quality is exactly the same in most cases. There are just a few companies that make all the name brands. For example, Monroe and Rancho come from the same people. Unless you're racing through the desert on a weekly basis a good set of local auto parts store shocks will work just fine.
I just think it's funny how on this forum and also on the Jeep forums I'm a member of... when somebody comes in and says "I'm on a tight budget, help me pick some parts" the very first thing people do by default is tell the person to buy the most expensive option on the market. :clap2: That's great advice right there.