Sockets management: recipes vs random

Hi all, noob guy here with some questions regarding the socket recipes.
Sorry if it was already discussed but i couldn't find the thread.

1) If i use a "4 linked sockets" recipe the item must have already 4 sockets or the recipes adds 4 sockets and then links them?

2) 5 and 6 guaranteed sockets are quite expensive. Is rng really that bad that is better to burn 1500 fusing just for 1 item?
Or going random is cheaper?

3) Any tips to get the right colors on a 6 socket item? Again random vs recipes.

Thanks all in advance.

1) no it needs to have at least 4 sockets already
2) depends. bench craft and prophecies give you guaranteed result for the price. rng is rng, it guarantees nothing. you may hit 6L in one try or burn 6k fusings and still not get it
3) depends on item stat requirements.. calculator

Benchcrafting is really good because can be used for corrupted items, and can save a lot of currency on off-colouring items, in specially on items with 4 sockets or less.

On your (2)...

For most 5- and 6-link items you will find it cheaper to buy the item already linked.

The average expected cost with fuse slam is less than 1500 if you max quality on the item, but as Lud said you can easily spend more because of rng. And the price of an item in trade will usually be less (sometime much less) than the average expected cost.

Generally, the only time you want to do your own 6-linking is when you get good at crafting and are 6-linking a min-maxed item that is worth much more than the cost to 6-link.

...or if you really like to gamble, and "winning" a few hundred fuses makes you feel really good, while "losing" a few thousand doesn't make you blink an eye.