Question about unique item's ilevel and sockets

do unique items have an inherent item level, or is item level determined by where the item drops? basically i want to know if any unique item get the maximum number of sockets for its item type, or if the value of a given unique fluctuates wildly based on its item level. cause it seems a little unfair if you can't tell an item's ilvl before you buy it, and you get stuck with a lvl 20 searing touch that can only get 3 sockets when you want a lvl 55 one that can get 6.

http://www.pathofexile.com/forum/view-thread/44366/highlight/

This may help. I scoured the history trying to find one post that explained maximum sockets by ilevel, but this was the best I could find. It actually seems more related to your query anyway. :)

ty for reply. it sounds like it works the way i was afraid it does. i hope they change that eventually, cause it seems really unfair that you have to trust people to tell you what ilvl something is, and risk buying a crappy unique that can only get 2 or 3 sockets

You make a very good point. Looking into this now.

Edit: apparently what would be best (showing ilevel in the trading window) has 'some complexity to it' but it's a desired function. I'm sure this will be addressed, because it leaves the door pretty wide for some dodgy trading practices.

Ah, the joys of getting suckered while trading in ARPGs.

Ah, name change! The signature betrays!