Lessons to be learned about shipping USPS

Not exactly on subject but, years ago, I bought a NOS tail light panel for a 73 Dart Sport from a seller in Canada. When it arrived at my home in NC, the panel was sticking out both ends of a torn up cardboard box, all wrapped in a big plastic bag, with a note from CanadaPost stating that the item was either received in this condition or was damaged by them. I paid extra to insure the item but it took over two months, many emails, forms filled out along with pictures sent twice just to get my money back. It looked like it had probably fallen off a pallet and was drug underneath the fork lift. I was surprised it was accepted by USPS to deliver to me.