Yes, that's true... but only as far as it goes. That's an average of $2.15
per mailing, which is obviously kinda high -- BUT it also includes access to
the full Whois database. Plus, given printing and mailing costs, even $2.15
per mailing at that low of a quantity (2,150 pieces) is pretty good.
If there were others out there that just wanted access to the database, a
two-tiered approach could be created that would allow db-only access; that
would defray the cost for the rest wanting to participate in the overall
project, and it would deliver the db for a pretty low cost.
Also, to those out there wondering about charging retail $35 per domain.....
the reality here is that most people who need to be reached via traditional
mass marketing techniques like this are not going to quibble about $35 vs
$25 vs $15 for a renewal -- they simply aren't that aware of the
alternatives.
And that folks, is what keeps NetSol in business.... and profitable.
I'm simply suggesting that the real difference between NetSol and us is just
access to capital.... raise the money, and a group of RSPs really can
compete on this playing field.
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Chuck Hatcher [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> Sent: Monday, February 12, 2001 7:16 PM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: Whoa!! NetSol gets REAL slimy
>
>
> I do not want to criticize your proposal, especially since you have spent
> some time crunching the numbers, but if each of your members only
> gets 2,150
> mailings, that number is small enough to harvest in a few hours using the
> whois server.
>
> In order to share or split up the whois database, the 100 RSP's would have
> to at least temporarily join together form a single legal entity,
> which adds
> a layer of red tape to the process.
>
> The last time this was discussed (a few weeks ago) I was looking
> for a total
> of 10 RSP's willing to pay $1000 each for the data, but received
> indications
> of interest from only 5.
>
> My personal reasons for wanting access to the database do not include
> marketing, direct mail or otherwise, and I would not be
> interested in only a
> portion of the data. If I can participate in a consortium by
> which I can get
> access to NSI's entire whois database, I am willing to pay my
> fair share of
> the cost.
>
> (This would undoubtedly be a massive amount of data which would make the
> zone files look positively tiny.)
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Sent: Monday, February 12, 2001 5:55 PM
> Subject: RE: Whoa!! NetSol gets REAL slimy
>
>
> >
> > The way to do this is to get enough RSPs to pony up $1,000 each
> (we'd need
> > around 100) and pay the $10,000 fee, plus do a generic direct mailing
> > postcard that would go to some general domain... say www.renewdomain.com
> or
> > something like that. Using a simple DNS round-robin, that could
> then send
> a
> > customer randomly to one of the RSPs that had paid the $1,000
> -- that way,
> > we'd all get the collective benefit of the mass mailing, but
> only have to
> > put up a fraction of the total cost (of course, we'd each get just a
> > fraction of the business, but that's more than any of us would
> get on our
> > own.)
> >
> > Assuming we raised the $100,000, that means that at 35 cents a postcard,
> > we'd net around 215,000 mailings, and at 1.5% response rate, we'd get
> 3,200
> > responses. Further assuming a wholesale cost of $10 a domain, and $25
> profit
> > margin, then the net revenue would be $112,500, or $1,125 per RSP that
> > tossed in their $1,000 (12.5% return on your money -- not great, but not
> bad
> > either, since you can sell them other services too -- not to mention,
> you'll
> > keep a large percentage of renewals). If some portion of the potential
> > customers go for more than one-year renewals, the profits are higher.
> >
> > Anyone interested? I'd be willing to organize it, if there was
> sufficient
> > response.
> >
> >
> >
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of dnsadmin
> > > Sent: Monday, February 12, 2001 5:01 PM
> > > To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > > Subject: RE: Whoa!! NetSol gets REAL slimy
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > > I think it is appropriate of all of us OpenSRS RSP's to come together,
> buy
> > > the Network Solutions WHOIS database, and direct-mail all of
> > > their customers
> > > too.
> > >
> > > It's the only way we can fairly compete, by using similar
> > > marketing tactics.
> > >
> > > > -----Original Message-----
> > > > From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> > > > [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Tony
> > > > Sent: Monday, February 12, 2001 1:25 PM
> > > > To: Discuss-List@Opensrs. Org
> > > > Subject: Whoa!! NetSol gets REAL slimy
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Snail Mail SPAM received today:
> > > >
> > > > Dear Prospective Customer,
> > > >
> > > > It pays to renew your domain name before it expires..........
> > > >
> > > > Switching to Network Solutions automatically renews your Web
> > > > indentity..................
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > Attached to the bottom of the letter is a response form:
> "It's simple
> to
> > > > switch right new...Just complete, sign and return this form...."
> > > >
> > > > Listed with a 'check here to renew all domain names' is a list of
> EIGHT
> > > > domains that I registered exclusivley through OpenSRS...they were
> never
> > > > with Netsol. The renew offer is for $50 for 2 years.
> > > >
> > > > This is bad. We've already established how weak-minded and
> > > > confused some of
> > > > our OpenSRS customers get when dealing with transfer issues
> now NetSol
> > > > is going to try to STEAL registrations that never touched their
> > > system???
> > > > They even throw in a Postage Paid return envelope. (Which I will
> > > > stuff with
> > > > invalid deactivation notices and a few lead bars and maybe a cat
> > > > hairball or
> > > > two and mail back to them)
> > > >
> > > > Questions:
> > > >
> > > > 1. Did they legally purchase the OpenSRS whois database?
> > > > 2. How else could they have gotten my OpenSRS hostmaster postal
> address?
> > > > 3. Anyone else get one of these?
> > > >
> > > > Letter is 'signed' by Linh DePledge, Senior Manager,
> Network Solutions
> > > >
> > > > Tony
> > > >
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
