Okay, I’m not talking about boiling bunnies or stalking a celebrity (Wentworth Miller of “Prison Break” fame, you have been warned), but I do indeed have a problem. I am obsessed with Vera Bradley bags. (That’s my partial collection at left. I can think of at least four pieces I’m missing. Yikes.) I can’t explain it. Some of the patterns are downright ugly. Still, I find myself staking out rumor boards for possible upcoming patterns, participating in private online sales and scouring eBay for retired prints. What can I say? It’s fun!

My husband might think otherwise. When I recently had a local retailer call to say they had gotten in two limited edition SOI bags in Paprika (squeal!), I was so excited! I got one of just two they’d received! Bill? Just rolled his eyes with an “ohhhh, booooy.” Men. Can’t live with ‘em, but CAN use their credit cards.

It could be worse — I’m not collecting Gucci, right? (Now, Betsey Johnson is another subject altogether, but Bill hasn’t caught on to that little gem yet.) At this point, it’s become a bit of a challenge — to find the best deals on new and gently used Vera Bradley products. I’ve gotten some pretty good deals, ranging from a book cover for $6 on a private Facebook sales page to three retired sashes on eBay for $14 shipped and a petal pink Super Tote on eBags.com for $35. Fist pump! Yes!

If you’re a fan of something, it’s time to put your skills to use. When shopping, educate yourself enough to be able to spot fakes. While rare, there are some unscrupulous online sellers who will try to cheat an uneducated buyer.

Also, don’t discount yard sales. I’ve heard of gently used bags for under $10! Yard sale operators are looking to liquidate and get rid of stuff. If they can make a buck, great, but their goal is to reduce clutter.

Finally, check thrift and consignment stores. I picked up a pricey Kate Spade bag for just $30 a few years ago, and it looked brand new!

Keep an open mind and enjoy the hunt! Got another tip? Let us know in the comments!