DELL here in Canada uses
Purolator.
I've never really had a problem with them. If you're not home, they leave a slip on your door telling you where you can pick up your package. My 2 centres are either right near my house, or down the street from school, so either way I'm not going out of the way to get it.
I'm sorry to hear about the water damage. I'm sure if you speak to a higher up a DHL they will make good, especially if you explain to him how it was raining when the package came.