I would buy from a dealer or a quilt guild member. I purchased a Janome 10000 on eBay. The seller put this heavy machine in a flimsy cardboard box, or he said UPS put it in a box with a few of the curly styrofoam pieces. the box arrived smashed and open. all of the machine feet had come out of the storage on the machine and were lost and some loose in the box. I was more concerned about the condition of the machine. UPS told me that it doesn't matter if you put fragile or this end up on boxes, there go end over end numerous times during shipping. He said the only time they pay "half way attention" is if the word GLASS is on the box. He said why is this machine insured for $ 2000? I told him he wouldn't want UPS to throw is computer around like this and that this machine and others sold new for $8000. His response, no sewing machine is worth that kind of money. I'm not fond of Craig's list either.....some machines are expensive and it could be dangerous if doing a cash purchase, plus checks and money orders cannot be trusted either. Our police department has a special place at the police station for these transactions. (Cash) This is a deterrent to the criminals. Or meet at their bank if is close to you. Ask for a receipt from a dealer that shows the last check up the machine has had. I now purchase only from a dealer or my quilt guild.