I went ahead and ordered the desk despite the feedback about poor packaging. It was true. Flimsy cardboard and some of the white foam padding material had broken down. The pictorial instructions were not that bad - got the desk together in about 3 hours. There were enough parts. Three panels of the the wood were damaged on the edges - the black material was not bonded. I will fix it up with glue and a black felt pen. The desk is study and for the money involved, I am satisfied.