Just my observation - seems like there is less listed on AG

AG has evolved away from what was originally a bulletin board listing service with a cooperative theme to the fee structure to a business model that, while more reasonable than EBay, more closely resembles the latter model. USAM’s structure allows the hobbyist side of the market a place to have fun. The rise of successful USAM higher dollar listings has corresponded inversely to rising AG fees. Elasticity of demand.

+1 @ghasley 

Why would anyone list here for exorbitant fees when they can sell the same item on USAM for free 🤑 

I met and now have several photography friends since joining dpreview.

Here they try to prevent us from sharing contact information with each other, I presume so we won’t sell ’outside’ of their fee. I don’t mind the fee to sell, I pre-pay even though an item is more likely to sell elsewhere. It's not much to contribute for what I learn in the discussions and help I get from members here.

But I do resent having to sneak my info to members. 3 members have come here and we enjoyed listening to music together, share our equipment histories ... I’ll be visiting their homes soon.

Like minded friends is a tremendous gain from any forum.

Seems to me like there is less and less gear listed on audiogon... compared to USAM.

I have also noticed a slow down in sales. This is especially true of the higher priced goods. Or maybe I'm not looking at the "flavor of the month" gear

Why would anyone list here for exorbitant fees when they can sell the same item on USAM for free 🤑 

To be fair I believe A'gon offers more and maybe better service. Then too, I haven't sold anything for quite a while. Then too, business are willing to pay a fee. They have an understanding of the business world and know that there is a price to do business. Its called overhead. The typical person who has never run a business doesn't know about all the hidden costs involved and naturally think a fee is wrong. 

Here they try to prevent us from sharing contact information with each other,

This is one of the more egregious things about A'gon IMO. Its nice to be able to actually talk shop with some. Also, it used to be suggested that you speak with the seller before final purchase. But even in the forum section where there are no sales, you cannot even post your email address of phone #. Sometimes a conversation is more appropriate for the situation. But then too, its hard to get anyone under 50 to even answer a phone

If it's relatively inexpensive, I'll list on Agon, but otherwise, it's USAM - percentages are too high here; I'll go with free...