Ken, maybe that decision will be easier when you find out the bottom line on your $500 shipment. Nobody likes to pay for shipping but a bit extra to guarantee safe arrival is worth it.
Perhaps risk the small packages/lower value shipments to the Postal service and absorb the higher cost on big shipments going with UPS. If you get in the car to go to the Post Office anyway, a little farther drive doesn't seem too bad in the cost of doing business.
