Your all right in having to wait to get a puppy. We actually met with our breeders at there home 3 times before we actually picked Flute up.
I actually scored an extra visit as there home was right near my work, and when the pups were born he came in and asked if I wanted to pop over for a look.
And it's true through conversation they were sussing us out as much as we were sussing them.
I first made contact through the state schnauzer club, via e-mail, and we were then invited over. So the internet does have it's uses for reputable breeders.