x2 on pretty much all of this. I have sent and received some huge, expensive items (DMX-512 lights) via USPS with little or no problems. I should keep a logbook for the problems I had with UPS. It used to be, 10 or so years ago, that FedEx was the more expensive, better alternative to "Brown." I'm quite sure that the "better" part no longer applies. FedEx are so incompetent that I'm going to start calling them "Fudd Ex." huhuhuhuhuh.
I had good luck with DHL while they did business in this country, but that was only involving a handful of items.
I did indeed, re-arranging my whole day so I could be here to sign for the package. I wasted all day yesterday and 2/3 of today. Finally, at 3:45 this afternoon this arrived:
...and inside the huge box was this:
Unfortunately, it rattles like there's a loose screw or component inside of it.
I'm going to let it get up to room temperature and then see about taking it apart and investigated.