From: 
Sent: Friday, 17 October 2003 1:53 PM
To: Jo Lim
Subject: Re: [auda-members] auDA policy review - resellers

> auDA Policy Review
> 
> auDA is currently reviewing the position of domain name resellers 
> within the .au self-regulatory regime.
> 
> Please see http://www.auda.org.au/policy/policy-review/
> 
> The closing date for comments is 31 October 2003.
> 

Dear Jo

The proposed changes are undoubtedly the most sensible thing to have emanated 
from auDA. Ever.

Just do it.

Three things I would suggest are:

a) that the position of resellers be defined as either agent for the registrar or the 
registrant. If it has to be one or the other my preference would be for the latter but 
ideally a reseller could opt for either position and thereafter make it clear to 
registrants what they are. We don't perceive ourselves as agents for the registrar - for 
example we don't always "place" a domain with the registrar for whom we are a 
reseller if using another registrar would be advantageous to the registrant (ie. usually 
significantly cheaper).

b) resellers should be required to disclose the amount of mark up they add to the 
base fee they are charged by the registrar if asked to do so by the registrant. This 
would be analagous to the disclosure required of insurance brokers in regard to 
premium mark up.

c) auDA should supply a pro forma wording for the disclosures required of resellers


Have a good weekend

Kind regards


Chris Berkeley