Handbags are a fun fashion accessory and buying discount designer handbags is on the top of many women's shopping list. Designer bags have great style, quality and durability and reflect the good taste of the wearer, so it's not surprising that any well-dressed woman would want one.

However, these designer bags can be quite expensive. Gucci bags which are perhaps the most luxurious of all designer bags can run you over $1500. Louis Vuitton, a classic French designer bag will probably set you back $1000. A Prada handbag can run you $700 or more. As you can see, not every woman can afford to spend this much on a handbag and these people might have to hone their savvy shopping skills to get designer bags at a discounted price.

So where can you find discount designer handbags?

There are some shops that specialize in bags that have been discounted for one reason or another and you can try to seek these out. Be careful, however, if you are buying from an unknown source because what you may be getting is actually a knockoff bag that is designed to look just like the designer bag but is not manufactured from actual designer. Sure, you might get a nice bag that looks great but it's not the real deal and won't carry the same prestige.

Another great source for discounted designer handbags is eBay. Just like anything else, though, you have to do your due diligence and be careful about who you're buying from. Make sure you check out the feedback of the buyer and scrutinize the photos of the bag that you are considering. All designer handbags are made flawlessly with great attention to detail so you want to really look at the picture to be sure the bag looks authentic. Also, you want to be sure that the photo is the actual bag you are buying. If there's not enough pictures of every part of the bag, ask them to take extra pictures you want to look at all the sides, the bottom and inside the bag to assure yourself that it is quality bag.

Another thing you want to do when buying a discounted designer bag is to be sure it has all the authentic features such as serial numbers, embossed months, owners booklets, ID plates and any documentation that is supposed to come with a high-priced designer bag.

One great way to get discount designer handbags is to buy used bags or rent one. If you're buying a used bag, of course you want to inspect the actual handbag before you buy it and look for signs of wear. Inspect the outside as well as the inside because we all know those inside pockets can get all kinds of dirt and grime as well as ink marks and other stains. Renting a handbag can be fun and it gives you the option of trying out different bags. Here you pay a monthly fee to rent a bag for a certain amount of time. When your time is up, or you're bored with the bag simply send it back and then go ahead and rent a different style bag!