Its only $10 bucks
The $10 cost argument is dead. It’s about the price paid by future registrants, not the current ones.
The proposed ‘.au’ is will simply promote false hope in people (Australian residents) seeking a decent domain, only to realise, 99% of the existing registrants allocated the ‘.au’ are (commercial enterprises) and are not going to give up their prized brand. Sure, 1% maybe 3% will release some crumbs to the market but that’s it.
realestate.au is likely to be allocated to the com.au registrant (it’s only fair). Over the next 2 years that registrant renews it for $10 every year (sounds cheap) until, a buyer makes a decent offer.
Established business.
a) Consider the real cost to your established business if you sell the non-utilised ‘.au’ extension? Its instant cash now (tempting), but will it balance the loss of earnings over the years to come.
b) only domain portfolio holders will have the flexibility to sell without a threat of loss of earning. in reality giving them the best seat in the house. (two for the price of one)
BUT, Consider this...
a) You (the seller) are now cashed up, you can develop your domain into the dream business you always wanted, but …you now have a competitor with the same name, in the same market, targeting the same customers.
b) You (the buyer) just paid top dollar for a domain name and gave the seller the capital to develop the same domain name to compete against you, in the same market, targeting the same customers.
Who in their right mind believes that’s a winning strategy?
99% of registrants will defensively register '.au' for $10 bucks (sounds cheap) and then those registrants can sell it to a future business for $1000s and keep the competing extension. Is it fair. No, it’s not fair for both the registrant who foolishly sold a domain for immediate capital only to realize he created a competitor, and its unfair for the buyer who foolishly gave the seller capital to potentially develop a prior underutilized domain and compete against them.
Now whilst I am against implementing this extension, I am open minded and willing to change my mind IF...(a) A very strong business case could be made beyond what is currently promoted. (b) the Australian Public is Broadly consulted and the people say "Yes".
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