Said the same on a different thread a while back. If I really wanted a particular pup I WOULD pay the asking price. But it's certainly not a way of guaranteeing that the pup, however good it's parents and breeding was, will be even half useful.
And again, you're right about the principle thing. Have you ever heard, until now, of beddy/whippet pups being sold for £650? f***ing preposterous! Lol ?