> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://help.creatures.com/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# Taking deposits on babies from a litter

Use a deposit-backed group reservation when a buyer is joining an upcoming litter and you want their application, place, terms, deposit, and later balance kept together.

## Set the reservation terms first

1. Open the count group's **Settings** and expand **Add a deposit policy** or **Deposit policy** under **Public profile**.
2. Set the refund terms, any cooling-off period, and when the money may be released. Select **Save policy** or **Update policy**.
3. Add the deposit amount to the group's active public Count Group listing.
4. Choose **Reservations open** as the group's **Public step**, then save. Resolve any readiness messages before inviting payment.

![Accepted litter application with its reservation and deposit status](https://cdn-test.creatures.com/f2e/a40/a8e/14b42.png)

Review the buyer in **Dashboard > Applications > Groups**. Acceptance can create or advance the reservation place, but acceptance alone is not payment and does not promise a particular animal. Confirm the tier, place, amount, and terms shown on the seller row before asking the buyer to continue.

## Track the held deposit

The buyer's reservation page shows the litter context, deposit amount, and current held state. A held deposit is not yet ordinary withdrawable seller money. The terms accepted before payment control when it can release and which refund conditions apply.

![Buyer reservation summary with the deposit amount and held state](https://cdn-test.creatures.com/cdd/dce/7e9/ae2ff.png)

Keep the litter record and buyer updated while matching happens. When an individual animal is ready, confirm the profile, buyer, deposit credit, full sale price, and handoff plan before using the remaining-balance action.

After the reservation is matched to an individual animal, select **Create balance invoice**. Enter the full sale price and confirm that the recorded deposit is applied as a credit. The buyer sees the remaining balance and any Creatures buyer fee before paying. Do not send a second deposit request to collect the balance.

If the buyer backs out or the match changes, use the refund or cancellation action available for the current payment state and accepted terms. Once funds have released, do not promise an automatic self-service refund that can overdraw the Wallet.

### Related information

- [Offering a count group to buyers](https://help.creatures.com/en/article/offering-a-count-group-to-buyers-1oz24o3/)
- [How seller payout works](https://help.creatures.com/en/article/how-seller-payout-works-bhajzr/)
- [What happens after I sell an animal?](https://help.creatures.com/en/article/what-happens-after-i-sell-an-animal-rm68h2/)