I have recently purchased an item from the UK which went through the GSP and I've had a much better experience with that than the US version.

I can accept the fact that the US GSP seems to be a bit slower as I'm never really going to purchase an urgent item on ebay, but I can't accept the exorbitant shipping prices on the types of items I buy (though prices are apparently better for heavier items, go figure....)

My recent UK GSP transaction was a pair of boots  - purchased and paid on Friday 8 April, delivered Monday April 18.  Not too bad given there are only 5 business days in that timeframe (well 6 if you include the 8th, I purchased in the PM here and it was still early enough for the seller to send same day).

In terms of cost, shipping was about $38 AUD which I though was reasonable for a pair of boots to travel halfway across the world. They were in their original shoebox within a plain white plastic satchel.  Original shoebox was very thick and sturdy, so I don't know if they would have re-packaged inside another box had it been the flimsier type of shoebox.

All in all I am happy and would use the UK GSP again.