We cannot deny that the internet and internet auction sites are here and here to stay.
There are a number of very large hobby retailers who use auction sites as a liquidation service for pre-owned and collectable items that are either part exchanged, or otherwise purchased as a result of a liquidation of a collection by an administrator of an estate. There is one large hobby retailer who has liquidated in excess of 10000 collectable items in 2 years and probably paying well in excess of £1000 in fees per month!
So we cannot deny that this happens and people do have old second hand toys and they want to convert these items to cash for whatever reason.
And all those auction fees that are being paid (£££££'s) are not contributing to the hobby at all!
Given that the market exists then Hornby have decided that they want to be part of this market. Hobby retailers looking in will note that there are restrictions on links to external sites however to help potential bidders who have listing enquiries then you appear to be able to provide certain sensible information relating to this. And of course all items offered for sale must over 3 years old and not in any current catalogues.
Further Hornby offer retailers the opportunity to place banners on their site. No doubt Hornby would like those who advertise in this way to support the auction site and list collectable items within it.
This permits any retailer to liquidate old stock through a friendly channel (even those without websites) and at the same time gives them a vehicle to set up a part exchange service which many of their customers may want.
And as Colin rightly says, unlike the revenue streams of other auction sites, the revenue stream from the Hornby enterprise will contribute towards the development of new models and new products, and there cannot be a Hornby stockist and customer in the UK and elsewhere who would not be happy with this.
So, if everybody approaches this in the right spirit, then everybody wins.
Railway modellers (and other hobbyists), collectors, Hornby stockists and retailers and Hornby themselves.
And let us not forget that the listing fees are very competitive.
And that it is very likely that Hornby will be promoting this site in the modelling press in the coming months and this is going to benefit all members/partners of the new auction community.
Happy bidding
Gary
PS Good luck with your "want" Colin.
