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

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.

typing in the zip code in the search box does nothing.

The Google search box, not Audiogon search box. Just open a new tab, paste the zip in the Google search box, hit go and the search results generally show the city without even having to open them. Once you have your city, close the new tab, it only takes a few seconds.

I think what Lloyd is referring to is being able to search for items based on part of a zip code. You could do that in the previous site under "advanced search." It was great for buying local. Now it looks like you have to enter a complete zip code which isn't nearly as useful.

02-04-12: Mingles
"I think what Lloyd is referring to is being able to search for items based on part of a zip code."

Yeah, I'm pretty sure this is what Lloyd meant.
I searched for and bought/sold this way in the past, especially useful for TTs and speakers, thinks like that that are either expensive or risky to ship. I don't see a way to do it anymore.