I used to buy inexpensive scopes and actually still have a couple that are still working great. Many decades ago I bought a new Tasco target model that is a 6x-24x for my varmint rifle, and never had an issue with it. I also bought a Tasco copy of the old Bausch & Lomb Balvar and used it on my Winchester 52 competition rifle in adult smallbore. Sold the rifle later, but kept the scope and it's still in my safe if I need it.
Now I spend most of my available funds buying old target scopes like Unertl, JW Fecker, Lyman Targetspots, Stevens, Winchester, Souther, Sidle, etc. None of them are cheap, and if I find one under $500 it's a miracle! Most run in the $750-$2500 range depending on how rare they are. Just picked up a like new Lyman Targetspot in it's original brown cardboard box from the early 1930's, and getting a like new Fecker 16x target scope this coming Sunday from a friend.