>them for the first time, and given the postal service's record of
>package destruction, it is good to  finally have an alternative.



I have always found the shipping quality to be quite the opposite.

I ship computer systems, and not once has UPS successfully
shipped a system without damaging it.  Whereas the USPS
has shipped everyone without any damage.

Plus, I worked for UPS, and I saw a good 2,000 packages waisted
on my shift alone everyday.