I ship UPS daily from my work place. You get tracking, online, and $200 insurance, included in the shipping price. Residential they nip you an extra buck. But you also get a signature for the delivery.

I have been shipping UPS since 1970 and except for broken boxes, arriving, due to heavy weight in light boxes, and one case a bubble pack that opened on the end, (see below) no problems incomming. I did have a Jet Pack that looked like it was torn open from a belt or by being crushed between boxes, which arrived empty. The claim was easy, and prompt, unlike some other services that you have to file forms and wait and wait and wait.

Outgoing UPS even less problems, because I use a box that matches the weight and size of the product and pack things with paper, bubble packs, or peanuts. I have had one claim for breakage in 30 years. I don't recall any claims for loss due to empty packages.

Most of the time, poor packing is the cause for lost items (which fall out when the mailer breaks open), or dammage. However stealing isn't unheard of.

While I ship small chips in bubble packs, between cardboard, by USPS, anything that weights more or is bulky will go UPS. Insurance included, tracking included, signature and on schedule delivery.

If someone says they shipped "next day" or Fedex and it takes four days, I'd start checking with the shipper for the actual ship date and times. Since we now have online tracking, take the number and go look for yourself. If someone paid for next day, or second day air and it was longer, maybe a refund is due.

By the way, look at the USPS No Guarantee on delivery for Priority. It's basically just the same as high priced airmail, but it does give a nice break on weight, simple to calculate postage.