Re: Ransom
I'm a Microsoft Partner too, but I don't agree with your perspective.
It's up to you to credit check your customers. If a customer has paid up front for an annual contract, then where's the risk? Ensure your terms and conditions are such that you get paid in advance of you getting charged by Microsoft. If they don't like your T&Cs, they can buy direct from Microsoft.
Most partners make money from services (consultancy, support, training) and their own solutions - not licences for standard products. You'd have to shift a lot of product to get close to match rates for services.