The breeder I bought my yorkie from accepted personal checks as a down payment, along with PayPal and good old-fashioned cash as forms of payment. It was only either through PayPal or cash was required at time of pick-up for total payment as she did accept payments from the time Molly was 2 weeks old until she was 11 1/2 weeks old when I picked her up. To me PayPal was a draw as it was more convenient than going to her for cash payments, writing checks, money orders, etc. Plus, it provides protection both ways- for seller and buyer.
