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

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

ahhh the promise (and curse) of free markets and capitalism..

It brought Audiogon, USAM and a lot of other venues. Use the one you like that fits your purpose. The free market has a way of correcting itself. If & when  Agon does not offer value for their service, they will go out of business, making an opening for something or someone else. Its not the free market at fault. It is the corruption of the free market.

Lets also remember that the free market also brought about the largest economy and envy of the world in less than 150 yrs. But no system, no matter how efficient can survive the corruption of those who pervert the principles for their own gain. As someone said, A man with a briefcase can steal a lot more than a man with a gun. And he is usually using the perversion of a law to do so

I’m a hobbyist, not in a business to make profit on used gear. As @ghasley pointed out, this site is now more geared towards dealers, nothing wrong with that but I wish they would have kept two separate fee tiers for hobbyist and dealers.

I agree. But commercial is where the $$$ is at. And this is what Agon is now going after. I'll agree that it would have been nice to have the 2 tier system. But that will make them less $$$ because they have to do the same work for less pay. The days of customer care and service are long gone. Not just here but everywhere.  Most every business is set up for their own convenience, not the customers. What's with this modern BS of subscriptions that never end where the customer is billed after the subscription has run out? This is just one example of BS taking place in the business world. So, yes, I'm glad for the free service of USAM also. The last few things I have sold were there. But Agon still offers more service. The question is whether that service is beneficial to the hobbyist. Like you, I don't think so. But then too, the hobbyist doesn't have to match Soc Sec, pay workman's comp & Liability, Unemployment, Health Insurance or provide records for audits should the govt or insurance decide to audit. I was in business most of my life and understand both sides of the picture