Ron Stark [ronstark§snapsite.com.au] wrote:
> In respect of the domain name, the only contract is between the
> registrar and the registrant.  Resellers don't exist.  That's the auDA
> model.
> 

thats not entirely correct, there are contracts between the registrar and resellers
and between registrants and resellers.  what isnt allowed is an indirect contract with a registrant.

For example Enetica's reseller contract binds the reseller to auda policies thus including them
in the whole process. auda specifically require that anyone doing more then 10 domains a month
is officially a reseller.

Given that auda will not change anything in a rush, resellers should make the most
of the situation, rather then trying to hide the registrar, where the registrar has
a good reputation and a strong brand they should leverage off it.

Just like you dont buy joe blogs rebranded shoes at the local shoe store you buy nikes, addidas etc.
even though nike has company owned stores. unlike shoes a domain is not a physical product but
a licence.  imo the whole branding concept still applies. the actual licence is identical between
registrars but the service and support and additional services are not and that is where the
key diferentiators are for registrars and thus resellers.

the same scenario happens everywhere I walk down my local plaza and half the small store brands
are sold accross the path in grace bros. where I end up buying something depends on more factors
then just price. if I am after advice I will go to the small store, if I know what I want and
know there is a sale I will probably buy from GB.

selling the knowledge that if there is an issue you may be sitting on a phone queue for 30 mintues
with registrar XYZ or have to make international calls with registrar DEF but get rapid
help with registrar ABC is just an obvious selling point that resellers can use to say this
is why we use registrar ABC. as an example.

if the concern for not letting customers see a registrars retail site is price then selecting
registrars with high retail price is an obvious tactic provided they give you a good margin.
Enetica specifically has a high retail price for this reason, to ensure reseller have a
decent margin, higher in almost all cases then Enetica itself.

imo the registrars that have a good reputation and service will dominate the ones which dont.

Vic