The dismal economy has been hard on the world of handbags. Women accustomed to changing bags frequently are finding themselves having to change their habits. One potential option may be handbag rental services. But are they really a good deal? Suzanne Barlyn who writes the Cranky Consumer column for the Wall Street Journal tried four national online services. She found that rentals, especially for customers who don't purchase a membership, can quickly add up. Also insurance fees can add up as well. The insurance is optional but advised if you are prone to accidents.

Overall she found that the services probably work best for one-time evening bags that you wouldn't normally buy and wouldn't use on a regular basis. For everyday bags it's best to buy a mid-range bag and be comfortable using it regularly. The article also includes a handy chart on the services she tried.