I have bought four Featherweights from ebay and two from the shopgoodwill website. In each instance, I told the seller how I wanted it packaged for shipping. I have not had a single problem and one of them came from London, England. I would just make sure I communicated well with the seller. Explain that you want the entire sewing machine encased in bubble wrap INSIDE of the case. Then, you want several layers of bubble wrap around the case and then packed in a much larger box of peanuts. Ask them to take the thread spool off and put it safely in the case. Tell them to wrap a separate bubble wrap around the motor as well. You shouldn't have a problem if they will work with you. AND if there is damage in shipping, you can get all of your money back through ebay and or the transport company. It's really not that big of a deal.