Your approach to shipping electronics?

I have been in the habit when I ship electronics or other fragile items of using a local mailing service to package, insure and ship (such as a mailboxes etc.). I have done so for several reasons that I think re valid.
1. They package for a living, I don't..they should be able to do a better job.
2. They insure the package, not the shipper, so they make good on the claim to you, and pursue the shipper for their own costs.
3. As they package it, they cannot claim it was packaged incorrectly and fight a claim for damage.
4. A successful claim on insurance does not thrill me, it is a no win situation, as all you do is break even at best. The end result being that you do not have what you wanted to obtain.
5. Yes, they re expensive, as much as twice the cost of the DIY approach. But still, if I am going to spend thousands on merchandise, I don't see the point on getting parsimonious on the shipping costs.
Having said this, I don't buy or sell large numbers of items, so perhaps this is less of an issue with me....and it could be that I am mistaken in my assumptions. I am interested in hearing other views on this issue.