Looking over the reseller agreements of both Dotster and itsyourname.com, it appears that both are agents of Network Solutions.

I've heard nothing but good things about both registrars and their sites and account interfaces are significantly better than netsol (Dotster's appears to be the best of the two).

But I can't help but worry about the quality and reliability of service from these two since they are affiliated with NSI.

Are there any hidden catches to dealing with either Dotster or itsyourdomain? Or are my fears unfounded?

TIA... :)

The only ongoing experience we have with NetSol is when customers transfer domains away from them to us. We regularly have problems completing the transfers due to failures in NetSol's systems.

I don't know if any of these same issues apply to their resellers or not.

-t

Dotster is (unless I am sadly mistaken) not a reseller, but rather is an ICANN accredited registrar. I have always had excellent results using them. Some have said they aren't particularly fast in responding to support questions. I wouldn't know, because in 2 years with hundreds of registrations I have never needed support.

Originally posted by Incognito
Dotster is (unless I am sadly mistaken) not a reseller, but rather is an ICANN accredited registrar. [clip]
You are correct:

http://www.verisign-grs.com/registrar/custalph.html#com

Interestingly enough though, there are ICANN accredited registrars on that list that are resellers for other registrars...

-t

Ah... there seems to be a subtle difference between a registry and a registrar. Dotster is a registrar. Netsol (now Verisign) is a registry and also runs a registrar.

An excerpt from Dotster's reseller agreement:

WHEREAS, DOTSTER was granted a non-exclusive worldwide license to state that it is accredited by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers ("ICANN") and to act as a registrar (including to insert and renew registration of SLDs in the registry) for the .com, .net, and .org TLDs; (pursuant to a Registrar Agreement between ICANN and DOTSTER dated January 6, 2000, ("the ICANN Agreement");
*
WHEREAS, DOTSTER entered into an agreement with NSI, which shall operate the Registry and provide DOTSTER with access to the Registry and tools enabling DOTSTER to transmit domain name registration information for the .com, .org and .net TLDs;

So, Dotster has a working relationship with NetSol, but is not a reseller for NetSol. Indeed, according to the Verisign list, it seems that most if not all registrars have a similar relationship.

So I guess my fears are unfounded. I hope. :D

Thanks all!

Ah yes.

Registries are in control of TLDs (Top Level Domains). Verisign is the Registry for the gTLD - .com, .net and .org. They also own NetSol, but they claim it's a completely seperate business.

Registrars are accredited by ICANN and others to sell domains.

Resellers are agents of Registrars who sell domains on their behalf.

Confusing enough for you :).

-t

Originally posted by Incognito
Dotster is (unless I am sadly mistaken) not a reseller, but rather is an ICANN accredited registrar. I have always had excellent results using them. Some have said they aren't particularly fast in responding to support questions. I wouldn't know, because in 2 years with hundreds of registrations I have never needed support.

same here. I've only registered about a half-dozen sites though.

Basically, Netsol is to Dotster what ***** is to insert a really good host here