You wrote - "It is all very well to espouse the use of USPS First Class International but many sellers will simply refuse to use it as it is not trackable. Even if sellers know about and use eDelcon it is often only trackable within the USA. Once it leaves the USA the sellers lose all the protection provided by online tracking. Even some of the USPS Premium services are not trackable to the standard required by paypal and ebay in the event of a dispute."
Not at all. The majority of sellers I have purchased from in the past, and I am talking 98% of them were more than happy to sent items via First Class International. And even another USPS service, priority and other with tracking etc is still cheaper than this horrid Global Shipping.
You wrote - "In addition, USPS First Class in only for low weight items....under 4lbs."
Not quite true. Many sellers who sell hi-fi ites, components etc that are heavier than 4LBS come well under the cost of what Global Shipping (Pitney Bowes) charge. I have made the comparison as I occasionally purchase Hi-Fi items.
You wrote - "While First Class International is ideal for smaller and cheaper items, if a seller is shipping larger items the GSP is very cost effective and the seller gets full tracking and insurance to ebay/paypal standard in the event of a dispute."
With larger items, they seldom get lost i post when delivered to a P.O. Box as they got straight to the local P.O.. When a buyer doesn't have a P.O. box, they get a card delivered to their mail box at their home address for an item to be picked up at the local P.O.
I have engaged with sellers twice that use Pitnely Bowes Global Shipping. Both of them a hassle. One was a great seller who did all the right things but then couldn't change his page. Because the items were rare I bit the bullet. I paid an extra $25 for postage. Got the items but not without hassle. They nearly sent them back to the US. Customer service was just average after having to make a few calls. The other experience was a non-starter. I never even got the item I bid on and won. I am still saddened by that event. I may share details of that uncool experience at a later date.
