Terms & Conditions

1. Introduction

Welcome to The Model Exchange ("we", "our", "us"). These Terms and Conditions govern your use of the website www.themodelexchange.com (the "Platform") and the services we provide. By accessing or using the Platform, you agree to be bound by these terms.

2. Definitions

• "Buyer" — any registered user who purchases items through the Platform.
• "Seller" — any registered user who lists items for sale through the Platform.
• "Marketplace" — the peer-to-peer section where collectors trade with each other.
• "Store" — the section featuring new items from brand partners and manufacturers.
• "Collector Membership" — the optional paid subscription at £2.99 per month.

3. Account Registration

You must register an account to buy or sell on the Platform. You are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account credentials. You must provide accurate and complete information during registration and keep your details up to date.

4. Listing & Selling

Sellers must provide accurate descriptions, photographs, and pricing for all listed items. Items must be model collectables (aircraft, trains, or other approved categories). The Platform reserves the right to remove listings that violate our policies.

5. Fees & Purchasing Fee

Listing items on the Platform is free. Sellers receive the full price they set with no deductions. A purchasing fee of 7% is included in the listed price shown to buyers on all items in the Marketplace section. This fee covers payment processing, the cost of holding funds in escrow on behalf of the buyer, and the administrative costs of managing the transaction. There are no additional payment processing fees. Delivery fees set by sellers are passed to the buyer in full at checkout and are not subject to the purchasing fee.

6. Payments & Escrow

All payments are processed securely through Stripe. The Platform does not store credit card or payment details directly. Buyers must complete payment at the time of purchase.

Escrow system: When a buyer completes payment, the item price is held securely by the Platform. The delivery fee (if any) is released to the seller immediately. The item payment is released to the seller only after one of the following:

• The buyer confirms receipt of the item
• 7 days have passed since the seller marked the order as shipped, with no dispute raised

The full item price is transferred to the seller. Sellers must complete Stripe Connect onboarding to receive payouts.

7. Collector Membership

Collector Membership is available at £2.99 per month. Selling benefits include promoted listings and a Verified Collector badge. Buying benefits include early access to new releases and ad-free browsing. Additional features such as member-only preorders and sold price history may be introduced over time. Membership is non-refundable and renews automatically unless cancelled prior to the renewal date.

8. Returns & Disputes

In the Marketplace section, if a buyer has an issue with an order they may raise a dispute through the Platform's "Report a Problem" feature. The Platform will review the dispute and may intervene at its discretion, including pausing fund release to the seller while the matter is investigated. Items must be accurately described; sellers who consistently misrepresent items may have their accounts suspended.

9. Prohibited Conduct

Users must not:

• List counterfeit or stolen items
• Provide false or misleading information
• Manipulate prices or feedback ratings
• Use the Platform for any illegal purpose
• Harass, abuse, or threaten other users

10. Intellectual Property

All content on the Platform, including logos, design, and text, is owned by The Model Exchange or its licensors. Users retain ownership of their listing content but grant the Platform a licence to display and promote their listings.

11. Limitation of Liability

The Model Exchange acts as a marketplace facilitator and is not a party to transactions between buyers and sellers. We do not guarantee the quality, safety, or legality of items listed. Our liability is limited to the maximum extent permitted by law.

12. Privacy

Your use of the Platform is also governed by our Privacy Policy. We collect and process personal data in accordance with UK data protection law, including the UK GDPR.

13. Changes to Terms

We reserve the right to update these Terms and Conditions at any time. Significant changes will be communicated to registered users via email. Continued use of the Platform after changes constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

14. Governing Law

These terms are governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of England and Wales. Any disputes shall be subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of England and Wales.

15. Contact

If you have any questions about these Terms and Conditions, please contact us.