Bottom Line: Hints for handbags

More women are buying high-end handbags again as the economy improves. But that doesn't mean everyone's buying a new one each season; consumers are still shopping conservatively and trying to make their handbags last. Here's how to get a designer bag for less - and take proper care of it so it lasts. Bang for your buck: If you're hard on your belongings, or measure longevity in decades instead of years, it may make the most sense to go right to the source and spend a little more up front. From Louis Vuitton to Coach, specialty retailers always carry a variety of their own latest bags. Even better, some makers will repair their wares at little or no charge. Michael Kors will repair a defect for free within the first year. Coach will make any needed repairs for a $20 shipping and handling charge for as long as you own one of its bags or other Coach products, according to the company's website. Beauty and fashion expert Rebekah George advises knowing repair policies before you buy and holding on to receipts. Shopping alternatives: Whichever bag you covet, start with a web search. At sites like Overstock, eBags and Bluefly, you'll find discounts starting at roughly 10 percent. Try auction sites such as eBay.com. Just be on the lookout for counterfeits, usually made from cheaper materials and hardware. Outlet stores are another option. Kate Spade, Dooney & Bourke and Coach all have them. But outlets usually don't have the newest styles or reliable quantities of anything popular. Off-price stores like T.J. Maxx are another good bet. That chain's website recently showed a Dooney & Bourke medium-sized jacquard fabric tote bag for $69, down from $195. But you may have to hit multiple locations or be ready to pounce on new stock as soon as it arrives. Care: The best way to make your new bag last is to treat it well. Each week, empty it and shake it out upside down, then clean the lining with a lint roller. Periodically clean the outside with a specialized solution, whether your bag is made of leather, suede or cloth. Check with the manufacturer for cleaning products it makes or recommends. For minor marks, a baby wipe might work, while the largest stains demand a trip to a professional cleaner.