<prompt> Human: Hello. Not sure if this is the best place to ask this but thought I could go ahead. Please refer me to a different sub if thats more appropriate. Im buying a puppy, but in order to reserve it, I must send a down payment through PayPal. Im concerned about potential losses since I dont know this person. Id prefer to pay the breeder in full when I am picking up the puppy when its old enough. Needless to say, I understand the need to have a down payment because potential buyers can fall through and he would not want to lose a buyer. Any advice on how I can have insurance on my money? Is there a service that will show the breeder that I have sent money but will only release after I pick up the pup? Can I contact my bank to make a conditional release? Breeders asking for a down payment of 300. Thanks.  <response>: Are they a fully licensed and legal business? Some puppy mills operate on a gray-market basis, which would make it extra hard to pursue any legal remedy.And I acknowledge that its not what you asked, but there a gajillion reasons not to get a dog from a breeder, and this is one of them. 