Some weeks ago, I found a domain that I wanted that was up for renewal Feb 22/02. I've been checking back periodically as late as yesterday and found it was still in the original owners name, but last night it changed to being 'on hold' or 'database unavailable' (can't remember the exact wording) depending on whether I checked either Register.com or CoolWhois.com. Today, I see the domain has been registered to someone new.

Q: Did the name drop overnight or did the original owner sell it? What length of time constitutes the 'on hold' period?

It's possible that it was being transferred to the new person when it was on hold.

It's also possible that it was available to register, but the whois database hadn't been updated yet.

There is no way to tell how long a domain name will be on hold. Usually it happens when a domain name is in limbo between being paid and dropped.

Thanks, bitserve. :) It's a little tricky getting the timing just right, eh?

I was trying to avoid using name-grabbing services, but maybe I'd have a better chance if I go with Expirefish or Snapnames next time... at least for short domains.

Public WHOIS is usually one day off.
The people that snap names within hours of minutes of expiration use bots (scripts).

Lots of them are from Korea and China.

Interesting, timechange, because the domain was nabbed by a Hong Kong company. What's with the scripts? How in principle does would that work?

Hong Kong eh? :D

They just set up a network quering these domains ad nauseum, and if their IP gets banned they switch to a new one. Once the domain falls, they register it. It's all automated.