Parcel Post service was created in 1912 by the U.S. Postal Service
(USPS) and was originally intended as an economical way for shipping
to rural areas, especially for larger items.  Because of its lower cost
and lower class of service, Parcel Post packages often take longer to
arrive.  That's because the USPS handles all the Priority and First
Class Mail first and then the Media Mail, Parcel Post and magazines and
catalogs.

If you need to ship a package at a reasonable cost, it is best to use
UPS or FedEx Ground Service.  With ground service, the package arrives
a few days later than regular UPS or FedEx, but the cost is less.
Oftentimes the cost is comparable or even less than Parcel Post.

You will receive a tracking number so that you can track where the
package is in the system and delivery status online.  That's something
you don't receive with Parcel Post.  Postal Service tracking comes
at a premium cost and their delivery confirmation only shows when the
package has been delivered at its final destination and not where its
current location is.

The US Postal Service is convenient because there are post offices or
sub-stations nearly everywhere in the country.  There are fewer UPS and
FedEx counter service locations, but it may be well worth it to have
your package get there faster and have it trackable.

Joyce Brite
Player Piano and Mechanical Music Exchange
http://www.mmdigest.com/Exchange/