Hello Leuds, This has been my experience with FedEx here in Houston. I have met the UPS driver that delivers to our ZIP code and he is both friendly and careful in delivering the 'goods'. As I mentioned, it has to be regional..some good, some bad..Here FedEx has proven to be as careless as yours looks to be. J.T.
Luckily the cost of USPS services is tightly regulated and based on economic indicators. I still say it's a bargain to be able to send a letter across town or across the country for .58 cents. Wait until you see what happens to the price of a stamp when certain interests privatize the USPS and they have to answer to stockholders/ investors.
I have used the USPS for everything, my entire life with the exception of once (that I can remember) when it was cheaper through fed ex. They do a pretty darn good job for the most part, they pay their people well and provide a great service to all everyone in the country. I really don't think it's that bad of a deal to pay under a buck to send a letter to anyone in the United States and P.R. They do a good job and they work hard to do it.