"How is it possible that USPS service is so inconsistant?"

I'm still trying to figure that one out myself, Charles. It recently took me 14 days to receive two chips mailed from Vegas to arrive in Northern California. I thought that had to be a record. However, just this last week I received chips mailed from Colorado that required 17 days for delivery. Yesterday I received a Priority Mail package that took 6 business days to arrive. However, on the other hand, last month I sent paperwork to Ohio on a Wednesday that needed to be processed so that a check could be cut back to me. The check was in my mailbox the following Monday morning......GO FIGURE! Imho, the USPS will always remain one of life's great mysteries. The only consistent thing regarding the USPS is the rate increases.