At 06:13 PM 12-11-96 +1100, Skeeve Stevens wrote:
>****************************************************
>As you can see stated above.. we MUST make a stand against Melbourne IT on
>this issue. 
>
>When Internet started charging for domains, any domains registered before the
>day they started, werent charged until the aniversary, 1 year later.

I am strongly against a single anniversary for all domain names.  If 
Melbourne IT needs startup funds it should get them the same way every
other business does, not rely on a virtual monoploy situation where they
can set fees at an arbitrary level and with an arbitrary due date.  I don't
object to a fee for service, but $125 is too steep for domain name 
maintenance.  Furthermore, the fee should be due on the anniversary of 
original registration.

>I am going to have a hard time telling customers that they now have to pay
>and extra $125. When we were selling our services... as im sure many other
>isps were.. and the client asks 'Do I have to pay any more' and we honestly
>answered 'Nope.. thats it'.... we are going to be accused of lying for a start,
>Melbourne IT is going to generate a LOT of animosity against themselves
>from clients, and many people will elect I think to DUMP .com.au and go to
>the USA and register a .com or .net domain.

Promising clients that there will be no further fees does seem a bit naive 
in a changing environment.  Furthermore, ISPs generally charge in the region
of $200-$250 for a registration service that involves filling out a few forms
and creating a DNS table entry.  It does seem a bit rich to be bleating
about Melbourne IT's fees when ISP's have indulged in similar behaviour.
I'm sure you could could cop the initial $125 out of the registration fee
you have already charged, and still make a good profit!

By all means let's complain about unfair charging practices, but not through
pots calling kettles black.

Greg
(who is not an ISP, but is com.au domain owner)

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Greg Taylor                                  Brisbane Australia
gtaylor§gil.com.au             http://www.gil.com.au/~gtaylor/>
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