Here is one possible answer to your question about the town hall:
“From what I can find, it’s a referral loop. If you try and check out, it comes up saying it’s not in stock but “click here” to buy it somewhere else. They then get the referral money. In the case of Grand Emporium it links you to Ebay to buy it.”
One way or another, they’re gonna getcha getcha getcha getcha…