Everyone is looking for deals, and cheap designer handbags are no exception. With the average price of a Coach handbag around $300, shoppers are all looking for discount Coach handbags on the internet.

For those of you looking for a way to get one, there are things you can do. This information can also be used for any brand of handbag you are looking for. Whether your taste is for Prada, or Dooney and Burke, the advice on purchasing cheap handbags is universal. To be honest, this information is really nothing more than simple common sense.

When you start to search for your bargain Coach handbag on the internet, you will undoubtedly be hit with tons of sites offering unbelievable pricing.  I can’t stress the following enough:  Please use caution and hold back your urge to start browsing these sites.

Many online sites selling “discount” Coach handbags are really offering fake bags.  Coach handbags don’t cost $25 – for any seller online who buys them at bulk and wants to turn around and sell them to you.  This should be an instant tip-off on whether or not it’s real or fake.   Please, please, please do NOT  be fooled into thinking you are getting some kind of super deal.

Remember the old saying?? If something is too good to be true, it probably isn’t true.

In addition to the fake bag being passed off as the real thing, you will also come across sites that sell high-quality replicas. Of course, there is nothing wrong with a high quality replica bag.  As long as there is some way to know in advance what you are buying.  But, sadly, this is almost impossible to do over the internet. The only real way to know if you’re going to love the “known fake” or “replica” is to actually touch the bag – to physically handle the bag and get a real “feel” for it.  You can’t smell the leather when you’re browsing photos.  You can’t hold the hardware in your hands – like the chain link hardware, the studs, the locks, or the zippers – and feel it’s heaviness or try to chip that fake gold paint off the sides.  You can’t see the imperfect stitches of a fake on the internet, nor can you feel the lining itself.  The lining shouldn’t feel like a raincoat or cheap piece of lingerie.  It should feel like silk, satin, canvas or just plain smooth and durable.  All of this is, of course, impossible to do over the internet, which puts you at a very, very bad position as a vulnerable, overly-eager-to-buy buyer — and a highly unfair advantage to the seller – who is only interested in moving the merchandise out of a warehouse – is NOT going to be there for you when you begin to suffer buyer’s remorse, having just received a bag that is not at all what you thought it would feel or look like, based on some very limited photos.  More than likely, you were shown fake photos – or only one very high quality stock photo from the real manufacturer’s website.

If you still want to buy a replica online, make sure you read the fine print. Some sites which offer replica bags, are designed to look authentic, and follow the rules by disclosing that the bags are not real. Some sites take great pride in offering affordable high quality fakes.  Others don’t make it easy for you to know the difference by using print so small you could easily miss it.

Regardless – if you are following the price value relationship, then you should always know when something is looking fishy.

If you buy online, buy from a respected seller that you feel comfortable buying from.  Being new, it’s hard to know who to trust.   One place to consider is from auctions. The reason for this is most auction sites like eBay, will provide seller feedback, and their individual rules and selling guidelines are required by eBay.  eBay does not allow sellers to sell fakes.  They are, however, allowed to sell replicas (big difference! one tells you it’s real but is instead a fake, the other tells you it’s a replica or fake up front).  If you stick to the sellers with high ratings, and good comments, then you are probably in good company (seek out sellers who have no negative points against them within the past year). Make sure you also check the stats offered on the item, make sure the picture you are looking at is the actual bag, and contact the seller to make sure they are stating that the bag you are looking at is authentic. Never buy anything when you are emotional. What happens is you get caught up in the moment, and end up spending more than you plan or budget for. Always set a walk away price. When the asking prices hits that number, walk away. There will be other bags offered.  When you get emotional during an auction, you will more than likely be paying too much, and will regret it later if you made a mistake in your purchase.  You definitely want to keep your head on while bidding.

Also, one more important point about auctions:

If you pay for your bag using PayPal, your purchase is guaranteed and protected if it turns out the seller lied about what you were sold – i.e. you were given a guarantee that you were buying an authentic Coach bag, but after you received the bag and had it evaluated it, the bag turned out to be a bona fide fake, and the seller refuses to give you a refund.  You can seek a refund through PayPal by filing a dispute.  Since you will be able to prove you were sold a fake, and the seller  is refusing to cooperate, your purchase is protected, and will be given a refund.  You will more than likely have to go through the trouble of shipping the bag back, possibly at your own cost – but don’t do anything until PayPal has completely been able to guarantee you a refund.  Once that is done, go ahead and mail your bag back, and see about getting the cost of shipping it back refunded as well.  Make sure you follow all of the rules and policies of PayPal – and the seller – regardless of how the seller is behaving, you’ve got a much better chance of getting what you want if you communicate clearly and politely.

Don’t wanna hassle with eBay or PayPal?  Another great place to find good deals on handbags is to look on free classified sites, like Craigslist. Just make sure you follow the advice of the site, and that is to buy local. When you buy local, you have the opportunity to make arrangements to see the product for real before making the purchase. Most time you will get the chance to meet some pretty interesting people. One thing you will also discover is that you will come across people that still have the original receipts to prove authenticity. One side benefit is you may have the opportunity to meet someone who buys bags so frequently, that they will offer the bags for sale at such a cheap price to fuel further.

Finally…

Seek out sellers who have built up quite a collection of authentic handbags, and are simply trying to get some of their hard-earned money back on bags they never ended up using.  Buy locally when possible, and always let your hands – your senses – and your eyes – tell you whether or not the bag is real – and most importantly, whether you like the bag at all.  Just because it has a fancy label on it shouldn’t force your hand in deciding on a bag that will be in your possession forever…

Petite women have many challenges when it comes to fashion and accessories, and it can be tricky to find the right match to balance out the latest looks. Finding the right size to suit your petite frame takes a little trial and error.

The right handbag can make you look thinner if you’re naturally stocky or athletic, or simply add some weight to your figure if you’re long and lean.

The key thing to remember for the style-savvy petite woman: choose a shape that is the opposite of your body type.

Being petite and carrying a excessively small purse or bag will only overemphasize your smaller features.

On the other hand, an overly large bag or tote can be equally unattractive.

You’ll want to find the perfect match with a medium-sized purse, bag, or tote whenever possible, On your search for the perfect handbag, here are a few tips:

1. Choose a bag that is proportionate to your size.
Even though you’re looking for your opposite, don’t overdo it with an excessively large tote. The season’s best picks include hobos, satchels, and rounded ruched bags that are medium-sized. Structured bags will also give you a smooth and polished look. Top designers that offer structure and proportion: Marc by Marc Jacobs, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton.

2. Don’t carry a handbag under your arm.
The season’s classic clutches work best in your fingertips. Avoid tucking them under your arms as they will draw attention to your chest area and essentially create an unbalanced look. Pick up a carry-all style instead; top picks this year include Mulberry Bayswater, Bottega Veneta Ombre Tote, and the Louis Vuitton Onatah line.

3. Choose something that is opposite to your body type.
If you’re a tall and skinny petite, pick something that’s rounded and has some extra weight. If you’re short and muscular, look for slim silhouettes and rectangular or structured styles. Top designers to get this look right: Marc by Marc Jacobs, the Indy Bag by Gucci, or a classic Birkin.

4. Don’t be afraid to draw attention to the bag.
This season’s ritzy metallic looks and flamboyant colors are bold and will definitely catch the crowd’s eye. Use this to your advantage by finding the right size and adjust the shoulder strap (if there is one) to sit at the most flattering place on your body. Adjustable shoulder straps are a great way to keep things in order. The Chloe Paddington is a great choice in brushed silver, while the Miu Miu patchwork quilted tote is another attention-getter. Play around with different looks and see what fits with your personal style.

5. Use the miniature handbags for special occasions only
Avoid matching up your daily outfit or business ensemble with a miniature bag. These work well as accessories and are a step up from holding a wallet at party, but they don’t suit many petite figures quite so well. Look for simple details and elegant touches if you do pick up one of these for a night out; cross-body bags are another option to show off a a trendy designs and eye catching fabrics.

Shopping for the perfect handbag is an adventure for any woman, but petite women in particular have the challenge of finding the right proportion and style combination.

Make sure you have a chance to explore the variety of handbags available before selecting your loyal companion. Today’s designers offer plenty of distinct shapes and sizes that can be used to your (size) advantage.

London is one of the world’s top cities for fashion trends and classic styles, and offers plenty of browsing opportunities for the average handbag shopper.

If you’re on the hunt for the perfect handbag, here’s where you’ll find some of the best handbag boutiques in the city:

• Burberry of London is well-known around the globe, but you’ll never forget your visit to the beautiful store in central London. Burberry was founded in 1856, and continues to provide quality accessories, clothing, and its much-coveted bags for classic tastes.  Head to the Burberry shop for some of the latest collections and learn about the history of Burberry plaids from the store reps while you’re there. Check out the Mayfair in London to enjoy the experience.  Burberry is located at 21-23 New Bond Street.

• Mulberry is another U.K. classic that offers plenty of classic and contemporary handbags. The store has been frequented by many celebrities, and it’s just a few doors down from other classic labels and fashion designer boutiques. The traditional Mulberry bag is a must-have for any Londoner that can afford it, and it’s easy to find a range of accessories to match your final selection. The Mulberry store is located at 41-42 New Bond Street in Mayfair, London.

• Anya Hindmarch has become a powerful brand after the ‘I’m Not a Handbag’ craze back in 2007, and continues to feature a collection of fashion-forward totes, clutches, and miniature handbags for a taste of modern style. Whether you’re looking for suede, patent leather, or a simple fiber bag, the collections at Anya Hindmarch offer plenty of choices to create your signature look. You’ll find the Anya Hindmarch shop in Notting Hill, right on Ledbury Road.

• Knightsbridge is another area of London that features boutiques from the world’s most coveted designers, and the Chloe store in London is one of the most beautifully designed in the world. There’s nothing like a classic Chloe handbag, and now you can pick out your favorite from the designer boutique in Knightsbridge. With excellent service and plenty of displays to absorb, this one will quickly become a favorite on your trips to the city. The Chloe boutique is ready for your discovery at 152-153 Sloane Street in London.

• Picking out a Hermes bag directly from the boutique isn’t your average shopping trip–unless you’re ready to fork over the $5,000+ for your handbag of choice. Still, a trip to the Hermes store is an event with the beautiful displays, lineup of gifts, and a brush with fame when a celebrity comes to visit. The store is beautifully decorated and the staff is ready to guide you into handbag haven. You’ll find the store at 155 New Bond Street in Mayfair, London.

From Chloe to Burberry, there’s plenty to explore in the handbag department on your next trip to London. You’ll find most boutiques lined up in Mayfair, Knightsbridge, and Oxford Street; other highlights include Miu Miu, Lulu Guinness, Dolce & Gabbana, and Chanel–so be sure to plan out your route before making the rounds.