In other news shipping from the US to Canada just got a lot cheaper.....

[froogal_electronic_parts_and_overstock]

Well I don't know about 'just' but I just found out.  Shipping to Canada using First Class international parcel is cheap and now has tracking under certain conditions. 

Electronic USPS Delivery Confirmation International service is available only electronically by using USPS-approved PC Postage vendors, Click-N-Ship, Click-N-Ship for Business, Webtools, and Global Shipping Software (GSS) or other USPS-approved software. The service is available only to the following countries:

Search google for 'us post first class international 252' to find the info. 

Unfortunately most sellers in the US are not familiar with shipping to Canada and the GSP is sold as a 'value added' solution when to us, it's a prohibitive cost. 

There is one negative is I don't think you can purchase insurance under First Class, so that will affect the sellers decision, but I do suggest that if you see an item you like and it has a high shipping cost via Priority, UPS, or GSP, just send a friendly email to the seller and point out they can get tracking on their package using first class and would they ship that way.

Many smaller  sellers will do this no problem. 

Just an fyi. 

[pjcdn2005]

The reason I thought that the changes to First Class International; mail occurred prior to the GSP was because it became possible for US sellers to purchase First Class International labels on line prior to the introduction of the GSP.

I didn't realize when you were referring to changes in post 12 that you meant being able to buy the labels online as the OP was referring to the the addition of delivery confirmation.  Anyway...you're right that sellers could buy first class labels online long before the GSP came about. If I remember correctly, first class int. was first available online if you used specific services such as Stamps.com and then it was available with ebay shipping.

[i*m-still-here]

PJ........ it was my mistake.

When American sellers started to be able to buy FCI labels on line  it made a big difference for me as a buyer because they started to be willing to ship via Fist Class mail.

I have no idea where or how they were doing it, but hey were.

When they added perks that was nice, but the major shift had already taken place.