Dear All,

Reading a few of these threads alot of people have been complaining about Host's using reseller plans, you can always tell if a Host is a "kiddie" reseller beacsue just ask them if they offer reseller packages, and if there a reseller then there obviously not going too, but if they are thinking about running a proper webhosting company, then they will have there own dedicated server and say yes we do offer reseller packages.

Just my 2 cents.

I'm not sure if you're right. One of the most reputable hosts here (anywhere!), FutureQuest (they even own their datacenter, they're no kiddies!), doesn't offer reseller packages as we know them here. You can resell their plans, but the way it works is (as far as I know) that you buy a plan from them (at a discount) and pass it on at a price you see fit. You can't buy, say, 1 Gb from them and then set up different sites on it using WHM or any other tool. Still, nobody around here would say that they are not among the most reputable companies.

GreatDaneOwner, aka GDO

Well as some of this maybe true not for all. I started with a reseller package to learn the goings on. No reason to always jump into a dedicated server until you know the basics for this reason resellers are great. Yes some kids may use resellers but other people use them as a launching board as we have. It is way better IMO to start small and learn, then go to a dedicated when you feel your ready. Resellers are a great way to tap a market you may not have access to. So they serve there purpose just bad that some people abuse them.

Some places allow resellers to resell reseller plans.

Also, what is wrong with being a reseller? There are benefits from buying from a reseller after all.

Mike

Originally posted by WingServers
...then they will have there own dedicated server and say yes we do offer reseller packages.

I agree with nukehelpers, some people use a reseller account as a "launching board" to get their business started. I started with a reseller plan, but now have a dedicated server. I don't say "yes we do offer reseller packages." however, because I don't sell reseller pacakges to people. My dedicated server is only for my hosting clients, I have no plans of offering reseller accounts.

Often doing a whois can be a good way to find out if a host is a reseller or not. However, first I would recommend asking them. Most will tell you, but then again some won't. Then look up the host with a whois, if you find different nameservers look them up as well. Sometimes you may come up against a dead end, but other times you can find out.

As others said, just because they only offer shared accounts doesn't mean they they are resellers. Some hosts simply choose not to move into that part of the market.

The best way is to just ask up front. Most will tell the truth. If you have any reason to suspect otherwise, then just move on to another host.

Nice vaild opinions :D i think starting off with a reseller is kool too i was just simply saying that some people dont like them but personally i dont see a problem with them as long as the person your reselling through is not overselling of that one IP, thats when things get messy with lots of downtime etc, but thats not always the case.

EDIT: Before you tell me my site aint working, i thought ill tell you that i know it aint working :P

I agree completely. I can't blame anyone for being a bit weary of a reseller in this day and age. It seems like just about anyone is trying to be one, even though they may not have a clue about what they're doing. You'd be suprised at the questions I have been asked before from some resellers or those interested in reselling. Anyways, resellers aren't all that bad if you do the research ;) I think this is a pretty helpful thread in pointing some things out.

Originally posted by WingServers


you can always tell if a Host is a "kiddie" reseller beacsue just ask them if they offer reseller packages, and if there a reseller then there obviously not going too, but if they are thinking about running a proper webhosting company, then they will have there own dedicated server and say yes we do offer reseller packages.

Just my 2 cents.

We dont offer reseller packages, yet we have several of our own servers, and we are definately not "kiddies"

Im not sure this holds true....

I dont know why people treat resellers like they do , even people who have "their own" server can have probles ...xangelx is a case in point unless you own your own everything , you are basically a reseller

I dont know why people treat resellers like they do , even people who have "their own" server can have probles ...xangelx is a case in point unless you own your own everything , you are basically a reseller
All buying from a webhost with a dedicated server does is remove a layer of possibility for a problem. The dedicated server owner still has to go to their bandwidth provider, etc. which tehy have little control over unless tehy own their own DC. They still have the same responsibilities as resellers to find a company that will give them rock-solid service so they can pass on the same to their customers. Small resellers may also have more time to spend with one customer on support issues, which could be a plus. Note that I have nothing to back this last statement up, just a possibility.

use dnsstuff.com to find out al sorts of info,
excellent way of figuring out who you're realy hosting with

Brian
zenetrix.com
Web Hosting Ireland

Zen-Master

Great utility site, thanks for posting.

Often people become resellers because they don't want the hassle of maintaining their own servers, or don't know how to, but still want to be able to offer hosting as part of their portfolio.

Having a dedicated server doesn't mean that you are 'better' than a reseller, as I know many people with dedicated servers who will have major problems if anything goes wrong as they are unaware of the technicalities of running a web server.

I resell at the moment, because it is simpler for me to push the day to day server management on to someone else, and it gives me great peace of mind knowing that someone is available to work on the server 24/7, which I would rather not be.

Just a few thoughts on this one... Personally I use Sam Spade to have a dig if I want to know more about a provider - samspade dot org. Lots of tools can be downloaded from the site if you are running Windows as well!

HTH

Darren Phillips

Good discussion folks - I see it this way...

Reseller or not, the key is support. If I am a reseller, I care about my provider and their support levels, SLA's, circuits, etc.

If I am buying hosting from a reseller and do not know they are a reseller then I care about THEIR support. That is what I think most people get worried about.

"Joe Schmoe", running a hosting business from his basement, but is really reseling off a set of highly reliable servers from a solid ISP/hosting provider.

I provide hosting, am a reseller and I like the support I get from my provider. They respond quickly, know before I do usually when there are problems and are 90% done fixing them before I call or email them.

It is definitely a good way to "test the waters" and build you business initially.

You need to remember, as someone pointed out, even having dedicated servers, does not mean any better support, in fact, if the server is not a fault tolerant server, then, you have a single point of failure.

My host actually uses servers located within Rackspace.com's data center, thereby making them a reseller also.

Anyway, thorough research, the dnsstuff.com site (found my site, and it did reveal I am reselling... neat tools there!), and a bit of due diligence on your part when choosing a host is what is needed.

Think of it this way - when you buy a car from a dealer, they did not build the car did they? They only sell it. They usually have a service department, and that department deals with you after the sale directly, and with the factory when it is a warranty fix or recalled product, etc.

Resellers are similar, not the same, as this model - may not be the best example, but you get the idea. As long as there is a good support structure backing up the dealership, you should not worry too much about exactly who built the car or where it was built.

OK, sorry for the long message, but this seemed relevant...

-- TAZ

Well said

WOW that was a really long message there TAZ, thanx for taking the time to write it, very vaild point there.

I started of reselling just to get used to the goings on and tools etc, now i have my own deeicated servers, but yeah in a way everyone is reselling becasue your buying them from the data centre lol.

I dont beleive this thread is two pages already lol, i only started it the other day.