I'm coming to this very late in the game, but I just wanted to share my own bra experiences:
I am a 32DD (or 32E, same thing). For some reason, people have it in their heads that if you are petite or small you must also have a small chest. I usually end up spending about $50-$70 for my bras because they don't carry them in stores. Luckily I have a small privately owned lingerie shop in town that is really great and stocked with band sizes from 28-52 and cup sizes from AAA-J. They also custom alter the bras, if necessary. I have had several straps shortened to fit me.
Victoria's Secret is a joke. I hate shopping there. When I told them my size, they looked at me like I was some kind of freak and acted as though I was lying or making it up. They insisted I was a 32C, since that's the largest cup size for a 32 that they had in store, and told me if that didn't work, to try my "sister size"--34B. So basically "try the wrong size. If that doesn't work, try an even more wrong size."
Online, I actually really like amazon. I found a Bali minimizer for only around $24 which is far less than what I have paid for my Chantelles.
One problem I have consistently have, even with the shortened straps, is that they slip off. I have to reach under my shirt and yank them back up constantly. I have very narrow and slim shoulders and the straps always seem to be too spaced out. Unfortunately petite bras are just that, and don't come in cup sizes over a B. I might try a racerback next time I go bra shopping to remedy this.