Research! Research! Research! Full-length mink coats can range in price from $1,999 to $39,000, and upward for very special items. So unless you already have a family furrier whom you trust with a considerable amount of money, start investigating long before you plan to purchase.

Visit every fur salon you can find in your local area. Compare prices and ask questions about quality. The retail fur business is extremely competitive and can offer some excellent bargains. It also might not. If you think a deal is too good to be true, it probably is. The most general rule: get the best quality for your money, even if that means purchasing a better-quality less-expensive type of fur.

For example, opt for an excellent-quality sheared beaver instead of just a fair-quality mink. This usually means you'll purchase better skins and workmanship, the most important building blocks for a fur coat. Still, a multitude of variables determine the value of a garment, including the quality of its pelts, craftsmanship, design, number of pelts used, its label, Dressing and dying processes, and even the furrier's location (due to varying rents and other overhead).