can we still sort by zip code in items for sale?

Yeah, we used to be able to by going from our "My Page" I haven't found a way to do so since the "New" Audiogon. I will say though that it is nice to be able to view the for sale ads from newest to oldest. Before we were limited to "New Two Days" and that was it. Can't Audiogon please respond to this thread and fill us in? I think I read somewhere here before that this will be possible after the newness settles in. Yes we can, please visit our blog for all the latest updates on features blog.audiogon.com To search by zip code simply put zip code in the search box and your results will be only what is available for sale in that zip code. We are also working on launching a messaging system for improved communication and much more.

I saw in the blog where the zip search was avail but was unable to find it

Yes. My system is not accessible either. I have emailed about the problem.
The best I can figure is that they're still in Beta and working the bugs out. And they're limiting any contact so to have complete control.
I don't like the change, but it is what it is.

I agree with Theo. I miss e-mailing members directly as well. I've met some really cool and helpful people here through that function. I can understand A'gon's wanting to stop the sideline wheeling and dealing but there must have been another way.

IMO, they should have just raised the price to post an ad based on the dollar value of the ad. They would have received their cut up front and not had all the hassle of worrying about people side-stepping the fee. Then it wouldn't matter if we talk to each other - too easy. I suspect what happened is they thought raising the fee too much would start an uproar so they decided to hit everyone on the backside because it wasn't so obvious. Unintended consequences.