It's clear as day that it says SOLD INDIVIDUALLY. Look at all the color choices. Again, they are clearly sold individually as a replacement of a color you have used a lot. I buy what pencil I need when I am getting low on a particular color. The price is a little high. I wish it was more like $2.00, but it's Prismacolor, which equals good quality, which equals more expensive. As far as lead falling out, I've had this happen with every brand I try on a pencil or two. It's par for the course. I did switch from a cheap sharpener to a better one and have less problems with lead breakage or rough edges. Also, if you push the pencil too far down with force, this can cause lead breakage.