I'm looking at a couple of domains that expire shortly. I know they don't become available immediately after expiration, but are there any suggestions on how to get the best shot at these?

I'd like to know too if anyone has any info on this.

We've just let one lapse. The final reminder email said the domain was being deregistered on a particular date, but that it wouldn't be openly available for 60 days after that.

Could just be their own local policy though.

They use the OpenSRS system.

Gary

I cannot vouch for this service personally (disclaimer), but what I can tell you about this service is that I've been unable to register a few names *due* to this service, so I'm guessing it works, heh. :(

Try: http://snapnames.com

Hi,

We recently went through this with a client. They are politicians and someone on the "other side" was cyber-squatting on several real names. Rather than go the lawsuit route, we figured that the cyber-squatter was going to allow the names to lapse at their 1 year anniversary and sure enough, he did (all via OpenSRS). I think the Registrar kept those names on hold for about 60-90 days before finally releasing them.

From what I've learned, a typical hold is up to 90 days after a name has expired and very often, they are freed up on Fridays.

We checked on our list of names on Friday and a week later they were available.

Other than checking up on your names regularly, I don't think there's any other way of doing it but I may be wrong.

Good Luck!

Here are a couple interesting articles that you may find helpful.

http://www.isp-planet.com/perspectives/unclaimed.html
http://eCommerceBase.com/article.php/352
http://www.ecommercebase.com/article.php/394

All I can add is to watch them daily and have patience.