More shipping damage again?

I was looking at a couple of pictures the buyer sent to me.
If I were to take a sledge hammer and hit the top corners this kind of dammage could happen I suppose. Unbelievable.

I have had the best and cheapest results with FedEx Ground. This doesn't mean they are infallible, however. Also, for lighter items, I have had great luck with the USPS.

I have an account at a local UPS Store and they recommend shipping anything of value or fragile via overnight and/or 2nd day rather than regular ground for the simple reason that a regular ground package is handled and loaded/unloaded, etc. much more than a overnight or 2nd day package. Reportedly, the average package on a coast to coast trip may be handled by as many as 100 workers, whereas that number reporteldy drops to about 15 workers when sent overnight/2nd day.

As to the choice of FedEx or UPS, I have never (knock on wood) had a damaged delivery with either and I've shipped a LOT of stuff over the years. However, I usually ship UPS for the simple reason that the proprietor of another local shipping store I sometimes use that services both FedEx and UPS claims that in more than 5 years he has never had FedEx pay a damage claim, whereas UPS pays claims regularly (although they may make you jump through hoops). Apparently, FedEx uses a third party claims handler whereas UPS handles claims in house. Again, I have no personal experience here so YMMV, etc.

I have had more problems with claims with UPS and once took them to small claims court, where I found businesses are always right. My FedEx claims have always been handled by someone at their telephone number, but a third party inspector came out and took my information and pictures. I average about one claim each year and perhaps make twenty shipments in that time.

I would never use a UPS store as they are flatout incompetent. They assume that a big enough box and lots of peanuts done by their minimum wage employees means "professionally packed."

I would never use a UPS store as they are flatout incompetent. They assume that a big enough box and lots of peanuts done by their minimum wage employees means "professionally packed."

I believe that's an overly broad statement. The UPS Store I use is locally owned (franchised) and I've known the owners for several years. I've had nothing but good experiences.