Of course, not everybody shops on eBay just to save money, but here are a few ways to save a little bit more, ranging from the fairly obvious, to the pretty ingenious:

1) Buy more than one pair at a time from one seller.  This is a good tie-breaker when you see the same trousers offered in several places. Try to find a seller who has several pairs that appeal to you. Once you have won your "primary pair" then see what else there may be that you can use. BUT be sure the seller offers a reduced price for combined shipping.

2) Buy pants that are already hemmed to your proper length. This seems simple and maybe you only do this, but some of us will buy anything that is the proper waist, with the expectation that we can have them hemmed. Hemming generally adds about $7.50 to the cost of alterations.

3)Consider buying a little further down the scale. OK, so you are buying NWT, will you think about NWOT?  Already wearing NWOT, what about "gently used"?  In many cases, there is little or no difference, especially among prewashed and "broken in" offerings.

4)Go generic. Don't stop at the name brands, check out pants by description. In many cases, they are STILL name brand ones, but the seller may not recognize the appeal and simply call them "khakis" or "jeans", or the name brand may only appear in the description. Or it may be one you are not yet familiar with

5) Consider a wider size range. I know this contradicts #2, but if the ones in your size are going for $40 and the unhemmed ones or the ones an inch too long (or loose) are going for $20, you are still better off  payng for the alterations.

6) Buy off season- corduroys are cheaper in July and demand is down, even on eBay.

7) Buy higher quality. This may seem to contradict #4, but remember, there are many brands that are not well known, but are of excellent quality. Also, if you save 30-50% off a pair of $200 trousers, you may be better off than saving 90% off a pair of $25 ones.

I hope these hints bring you the trousers of your dreams at a price you can affford. Personally, I am partial to embroidered ones. If you have a minute, why not check out my guide Wentworth Tradd Splains Trouser Motifs, which is viewable by clicking "see all guides and reviews by this writer". I have written a wide variety of guides and each one is intended to improve your day. I hope they work.

WT