Back Ordering a domain is less than useless and a complete waste of your money. You are almost guaranteed never to receive the domain if it has any perceived value. PERIOD.

The way to go about obtaining possession of an expiring domain is to do a whois seach for the domain, find where it is currently registered and make a bid in the ensuing auction at the place where that registrar farms out their domains for auction. That way you also avoid all the drop-catch shenanegans.

Some of the popular registrar auction partners are:-

GoDaddy -> The Domain Name After Market (a GoDaddy company)
Network Solutions -> SnapNames
Directi -> Snapnames
It'sYourDomain -> Snapnames
Bulk Register -> Snapnames
Moniker -> Snapnames
DomainSite -> Snapnames
Dotster -> NameWinner
Enom -> ClubDrop

If anyone else can add to that list, it would be appreciated.

I've never used a drop catcher, but I hear a lot of good things to be said for pool.com, and you must be prepared to enter a blind auction once they have acquired the domain, so it may not be cheap. Drop catching is an art that pool.com have mastered. However it's better to buy it at auction BEFORE the domain actually is dropped from the registrar.

stu

Just a note of clarification. When I refer to backordering, I'm referring to backordering at a registrar, not back ordering at a drop-catcher or expired domain auction house, who may also use the same terminology. Always order you expiring domain name from an expired domain name auction house partnered with the underlying registrar for that domain. It's you're best chance of acquiring your name.

clubdrop didn't work on my 5 attempts, even domains with Enom, their own system!

What do you mean by didn't work? You were outbid? The domains were auctioned somewhere else? they were renewed?

There has been a report of some "leakage" of the preferred auction partner of the domain's registrar not being the one who ultimately gets to auction of the domain. How this happens is not known.

The strategy outlined above, where you only bid on the preferred auction partner of the registrar should be updated accordingly. Now, irrespective of which registrar (except GoDaddy), it is prudent to bid at all four major drop catch/auction houses. Namely, snapnames.com, pool.com, namewinner.com, and clubdrop.com. Bidding at the other auction houses who are not the preferred auction partner for the domain's registrar is only insurance, in case of any "leakage". In the vast majority of cases, the preferred auction partner of the domain's registrar will still be the one who gets to auction off the domain name.

The exception of course is Godaddy registered domains, which should still be bid at tdnam.com

Some have asked "Am I competing with myself?" with this strategy. It's really unknown but it's probably unlikely that an auction house is participating in the auction of one of it's competitors.

There has been a marked upswing in the number of bidders, and consequently prices are also up in all these auction houses. You may need to raise your expectations of the prices you need to pay to win your desired domain.

Do you know who dotreg.com uses?

My philosophy regarding backordering, is that if it really is a MUST HAVE domain, then you are better off negotiating with the existing registrant, thereby cutting out virtually all competition. You may pay more or less with that strategy rather than waiting for the drop, but you are always more certain to obtain the domain.

If the domain is already in the drop and it's a MUST HAVE domain, then by all means you HAVE to bid at every available dropcatcher. If it is something LESS THAN A MUST HAVE name, then it really isn't necessary to bid at all dropcatchers but only at the most likely dropcatcher, ie NetSol registered domains selling at SnapNames auctions, etc. You'll have covered your bases 95% but you won't get too disappointed if you don't get the domain. There a very few MUST HAVE dropping domains in my book.

There are cases where, in my opinion/wild guess, that it would be better to try to dropcatch a MUST HAVE domain. The exception would be a name that isn't very desirable toa anyone else. If I am with a company named Big Blue Duck and bigblueduck.com has no website and is about to expire, I could just have godaddy grab it, figuring that nobody else will be bidding for it. All the more so for bigbluduck.com and bigblueduk.com -- common mis-spellings. It doesn't make sense to let the owner know what his property is worth -- sort of how Disney bought huge amounts of Florida land before anyone knew that Disney World was coming.

I made a list of such names a couple of years ago and had godaddy try to grab them, and so far I got 2 for a very low price. After learning more about how the system works, I am now backordering them on every dropcatch service that will let me, and negotiating with the owners only when the expiration is 2010 or later.

I am by no means an expert, but that's how it seems to me.

I use drop catchers for domains I know would never make it back into the available list. I tried SnapName.com and Pool.com. SnapNames usually got the domain, but I noticed a huge price difference in similar domains that went to Pool. I still put bids in at both, but it unless it goes to Pool, I figure I don't have much of a chance in getting it.

guymacon, I understand what you are saying, and agree with your thoughts to an extent, but tdnam are best at grabbing GoDaddy registered domains. The other area which GoDaddy backordering might work is in the situation where the domain name actually drops from the register and no dropcatcher picks it up (because nobody back ordered it or bought it at an expired domain auction), or if another registrar picks it up, "tastes" it and let's it drop after 5 days. In these very narrow circumstances, a GoDaddy back order would probably succeed. However in your example, you are gambling that no other backorders for the main domain name bigblueduck.com in ANY of the auction houses which are auctioning off expiring names. If there is 1, then you'll be stuck with the 2 mispellings of a relatively undesireable domain name. In which case, I'd suggest ordering bigblueduck.com at the registrar's auction partner, and the two mispellings at GoDaddy.

Domainer Zone, I think we are all in agreement to only needing to order from a dropcatcher if the domain would never make it back to being available for registration. But it's a gamble to wait that long. Not suggested for MUST HAVE domains whatever your level of confidence is that it will definitely drop and not be bought at auction.

I still suggest that you are most likely to succeed in capturing an expiring domain by bidding for it at auction with the auction house associated with the registrar for the expiring domain name. This will work for almost all cases, unless you're outbid. Of course there are always other situations, which we are/have been discussing above.

OK. I put this article here because the Domain Name Renewals process is an intregral part of the entire Backordering of Expiring Domain Names process. You need to understand the previous owners rights to renewing their domain names and where the auction process sits within the entire deletion process. You will see that backordering a dropping domain name is getting the LAST bite at the cherry. Whereas you want to be as high up the food chain as possible by participating in the Registrar's Preferred Auction Partner's Auction, which is taking place PRIOR to any domain being deleted.

Domain Name Renewals.

ICANN/VERISIGN
Change of ICANN/Verisign Redemption Periods.


How does the RGP process work?

Prior to January 25th, domains were deleted in the following manner:

1. Registrar deleted a domain name.
2. Domain name was placed on registry-hold for 5 days (this removed it from the zone file).
3. Domain was then deleted out of the Registry in a batch process on the 6th day.

Post January 25th, domain name deletions now follow the new RGP guidelines:

1. Registrar deletes a domain name.
2. Domain name is placed on RedemptionPeriod (RP) for 30 days.
3. During this 30 day window, if the registrant would like the name redeemed, they need to:

o Call their registrar.
o The registrar will "restore" the domain name using the Restore Command for a fee. (This fee is determined by the registrar.)
o This places the domain on "PendingRestore" status for 7 days (and places the domain name back in the zone file).
o The registrar must then submit a restore report to the Registry.
o Once the Restore Command and Restore Report process is completed, the name goes back on "Active" status.

4. If, after 30 days, the name is still in RP status, the domain name will be moved to PENDINGDELETE status for 5 days.

o When in this status, the domain name WILL BE deleted.
o The status cannot be removed by the registrar or the Registry.

5. On the 6th day, the name is then deleted from the Registry.


In simple terms, this means:

> Expiry Date
> Registrar Dependant
> Registrar Delete
> 30 Day Redemption Period at Registry (can be renewed by paying Registrar's Redemption Fee)
> 5 Day Pending Delete
> Delete on 6th Day
> Backorder Services (Pool/SnapNames/NameWinner/ClubDrop/GoDaddy) scramble to register the deleted domain.

It should be pointed out that Registrar Dependant actions between Expiry Date and Registrar Delete are entirely Registrar dependant, including their right to renew the domain on their behalf and to sell to somebody else, according to the Terms of Service (ToS) of each Registrar. The most popular Registrar's ToS are explained below:-


GODADDY


If you fail to renew your domain name, you agree that Go Daddy may, at its sole discretion, renew your expired domain name on your behalf. If Go Daddy decides to renew your expired domain name on your behalf you will have a Renewal Grace Period during which you may reimburse Go Daddy for the renewal and keep your domain name. The Renewal Grace Period is currently 12 days but subject to change under the terms of Section 2 of this Agreement. If you do not reimburse Go Daddy for the renewal during the Renewal Grace Period your domain name will be placed on Hold and flagged for deletion after which you will have a 30 day redemption period during which you may pay Go Daddy a Redemption fee and redeem your domain name. The Redemption fee is currently $80 USD and is subject to change under the terms of Section 2 of this agreement. If you do not redeem your domain name prior to the end of the 30 day redemption period Go Daddy may, at its sole discretion, delete your domain name or transfer it to another registrant on your behalf.


In simple terms, this means:
> Expiry Date
> 12 day Renewal Grace Period (can be renewed by paying GoDaddy's regular renewal fee)
> 30 day Redemption Period (can be renewed by paying GoDaddy's Redemption Fee of $80)
> GoDaddy will attempt to auction off the domain before they Registrar Delete the domain.
> Registrar Delete

GoDaddy's ToS say that they pay the renewal fee at their discretion. They are silent about the scenario where their discretion is not to renew the domain. It implies that they ALWAYS renew every expiring domain. Otherwise the only alternative to renewing would seem to be to delete, and they are again silent about what period of time that might be from Expiry Date to Registrar Delete (if they don't renew).

It would make sense for GoDaddy to coincide the expiry of their TDNAM auction with the expiry of their 30 day Redemption Period. It would appear that they end domain auctions 14 days prior to the end of their Redemption Period. This is what TDNAM have to say about it..


The Domain Name Aftermarket is obligated to hold the domain in your account until the current registrant's renewal window has closed. Members winning expired domain auctions (recently expired names that have a very high chance of not being renewed) wait just 2 weeks for the name to be reassigned.


ENOM


Immediately after the expiration of the term of domain name registration services and before deletion of the domain name in the applicable registry's database, you acknowledge that we may direct the domain name to name-servers and IP address(es) designated by us, including, without limitation, to no IP address or to IP address(es) which host a parking page or a commercial search engine that may display advertisements, and you acknowledge that we may either leave your WHOIS information intact or that we may change the contact information in the WHOIS output for the expired domain name so that you are no longer the listed registrant of the expired domain name.

Reactivation Period Process. For a period of approximately 30 days after expiration of the term of domain name registration services, you acknowledge that we may provide a procedure by which expired domain name registration services may be renewed. You acknowledge and agree that we may, but are not obligated to, offer this process, called the "reactivation period." You acknowledge that you assume all risks and all consequences if you wait until close to or after the expiration of the original term of domain name registration services to attempt to renew the domain name registration services. You acknowledge that we, for any reason and in our sole discretion, may choose not to offer a reactivation period and that we shall not be liable therefore. You acknowledge that reactivation period renewal processes, if any, may involve additional fees which we and your Primary Service Provider may determine. You acknowledge and agree that we may make expired domain name services(s) available to third parties, that we may auction off the rights to expired domain name services (the auction beginning close to the end or after the end of the reactivation period), and/or that expired domain name registration services may be re-registered to any party at any time.

After the reactivation period, you agree that we may either (i) discontinue the domain name registration services at any time thereafter, (ii) that we may pay the registry's registration fee or otherwise provide for the registration services to be continued, or, (iii) if we auctioned the domain name services to a third party, that we may transfer the domain name registration services to such third party.

In the case of (i), above, you acknowledge that certain registry administrators may provide procedures by which discontinued domain name registration services may nonetheless be renewed. You acknowledge and agree that we may, but are not obligated to, participate in this process, typically called the "Redemption Grace Period" ("RGP"). You acknowledge that we, for any reason and in our sole discretion, may choose not to participate in the RGP process with respect to any or all of your domain name registration services and that we shall not be liable therefore. If available, RGP typically ends between 30 and 42 days after the end of the reactivation period of the domain name services, as the reactivation period applied to you. The typical RGP fee is $160 plus any registration fees. You agree that we are not obliged to contact you to alert you that the domain name registration services are being discontinued.

In the case of (ii), above, you acknowledge that we may then set the name-servers and the DNS settings for the domain name services, that we set the DNS to point to no IP address or to IP address(es) which host parking page(s) or a commercial search engine that may display paid advertisements, and you acknowledge that we may change the contact information in the WHOIS output for the expired domain name so that you are no longer the listed registrant of the expired domain name. You acknowledge that we do not have to pay you any of the proceeds, if any, we may earn as a result. You agree that we are not obliged to contact you to alert you that the domain name registration services are being continued. In this case, the domain name will be designated as being in the extended redemption grace period ("ERGP"), and you will be allowed to assume, during the first 120 days of the then extant registration term, complete management of the domain name services, including the right to control the DNS settings, provided that you pay a fee of $160 (US dollars) plus any registration fees. After the end of the 120-day period, if you do not exercise your rights under this provision, you agree that you have abandoned the domain name services, and relinquish all rights and use of the domain name services.

In the case of (iii), above, the third party who won the auction for the domain name services will control the domain name services, including control over the WHOIS information and the DNS settings. You may recover the domain name registration services for a period of up to 42 days after the end of the reactivation period, as such reactivation period applied to you. You agree that we are not obliged to contact you to alert you that the domain name registration services are or were auctioned. You acknowledge that we do not have to pay you any of the proceeds, if any, we may earn as a result of such an auction. To exercise your rights to recover auctioned domain name services, you must contact us and provide us with a certified letter addressed to "Expiration Recovery" and including documents setting forth your identity and address, which identity and address must be the same as that of the registrant as it was listed in the WHOIS information for the domain name services prior to expiration, a copy of a commonly accepted (in the United States) picture ID (such as a drivers license or passport) which supports your identity and address claim, a front and back photocopy of your credit card and you must a statement authorizing payment of the reinstatement fee to such credit card, which is $160 plus any registration fees. In doing so, you must provide us with sufficient time to allow us to receive and evaluate your documents and to contact the auction winner prior to the end of 30 days after the end of the reactivation period of the domain name services.


In simple terms, this means:

> Expiry Date
> 30 day Reactivation Period (often only 29 days) at Enom's discretion (can usually be renewed by paying Enom's normal renewal fee)
then either:
i> 12 days (approx) Redemption Grace Period at Enom's discretion (can be renewed by paying Enom's Redemption Grace Period Fee of $160 plus regular renewal fee)
or
ii> 120 Extended Redemption Grace Period at Enom's discretion (can be renewed by paying Enom's Extended Redemption Grace Period Fee of $160 plus regular renewal fee)
or
iii> Enom auction off the domain at ClubDrop.
then:
> Registrar Delete

It should pointed out that these options are an either/or situation at Enom's discretion. I would suggest that it's in Enom's best interest to auction off the domain after the 29-30 day Reactivation Period, and that you'll only get offered options (i) or (ii) if the domain has not sold at auction at the time you contact Enom about your previously owned domain.


NETWORK SOLUTIONS


If a customer does not renew the domain name registration by the expiration date, the domain name registration is subject to deletion at any time after that. In an effort to help our customers avoid unintentional deletion of their domain name registration(s), we may, but are not obligated to, provide our customers with a "grace period" after their domain name registration services expiration date(s) (a "grace period" begins on the day after the date of expiration). We currently endeavor to provide a grace period that extends 35 days past the expiration date, to allow the renewal of domain name registration services. During this period a customer can renew a domain name registration; however, a grace period is not guaranteed and can change or be eliminated at any time without notice. Consequently, every customer who desires to renew his or her domain name registration services should do so in advance of the expiration date to avoid any unintended domain name deletion.

If an expired domain name registration is not renewed during any grace period provided by us, pursuant to our Service Agreement, rather than delete the domain name registration, we may, in our sole discretion, attempt to find a third party who is interested in registering the domain name, and then renew and transfer the domain name registration to that third party on the customer's behalf. This renewal and transfer process is called a "Direct Transfer." We will not attempt to complete a Direct Transfer of a domain name registration after expiration if the customer to whom the domain name is registered has notified us by e-mail at backorderservice@networksolutions.com stating that he or she does not want us to proceed with such a transfer. In this case, the domain name registration will be deleted. A customer's failure to notify us that they do not want us to complete a Direct Transfer constitutes that customer's consent to the Direct Transfer. As described in our in our Service Agreement, customers are eligible to receive between fifteen and twenty percent (15-20%) of the Net Proceeds generated from the Direct Transfer.

If an expired domain name registration is not renewed as outlined above, absent extenuating circumstances, we will delete the domain name registration. Registry Operators may provide registrars with the ability to "redeem" a deleted domain name registration for a customer, and we, in turn, may (but are not obligated to) provide customers with an ability to redeem a particular domain name registration. Such a Redemption Grace Period (RGP) is not guaranteed and customers should renew their domain name registration services in advance of the domain name registration expiration date(s) to avoid deletion of domain name registration services. Currently, the Registry Operators provide an RGP for 30 days from the date of deletion. If we decide to provide the redemption service to a customer, we charge a fee of $150 to redeem and renew a domain name registration during the RGP. If the domain name registration is not redeemed by the expiration of the RGP, it is then placed on "Pending Delete" status for five additional days, after which it is deleted and the domain name character string is then once again available for registration.


OK. This is a bit long-winded. In simple terms, this means:

> Expiry Date
> 35 Day Grace Period at NetSol's discretion.
> Netsol try to sell domain at SnapNames (at any time after expiry)
> Registrar Delete
> Icann/Verisign 30 day Grace Period (can be renewed by paying Netsol's Redemption Grace Period Fee of $150)

Interesting. You can instruct NetSol not to Direct Transfer (Auction Off) a domain. Also you get between 15-30% of the auction income to NetSol. They probably try to coincide the auction date with the Grace Period end date since SnapNames arranges transfer to the winning buyer usually within 24hrs or less.


NAMECHEAP


You will be notified via an email message or via your account information when renewal fees are due. Should these fees go unpaid within the time specified in a second notice or reminder regarding renewal, your registration will be cancelled. Payment must be made by credit card or such other method as we may indicate in the registration application or renewal form. We will not automatically renew your name unless you instruct us otherwise within the time specified and provide us with your payment information. As a courtesy, we will try to inform you of the domain expiration and you are responsible for renewing your domain before it expires. We might be able to recover your expired domain for a fees within a certain period after expiry. We will reinstate your rights to and control over these Services solely at our discretion, and subject to our receipt of the unpaid fee(s) and our then-current reinstatement fee, currently set at US $200. Reinstatement of Service(s) by your Primary Service Provider may be according to their terms.


In simple terms, this means:

> Expiry Date
> Renewal can be effected by paying Reinstatement Fee of $200 plus normal renewal fees.
> Registrar Delete

They don't mention any Grace Periods at all. It's stated they delete the domain after it expires and fees are unpaid, but gives no timeframe. Presumably immediately.

Here is a pretty good link to the explanation of what these Domain Status Codes mean... http://help.godaddy.com/article.php?article_id=594&topic_id=201&&

You might find some other interesting info in GoDaddy's Help System.

Richard from NameCheap has confirmed that there is a 30 day grace period after expiry when domains can be renewed for just the renewal fee.

for me I will not use backordering as expensive... I will wait for the day the domain actual deleted and register

For any desireable name, you'll wait until hell freezes over, GigabitONE.

"Expired domain names typically go up for auction between 19 and 29 days after they have expired. It would therefore seem likely that the auction for the domain name in question has already taken place."

Godaddy CS

The domain I wanted is on redemption period. however, it expired on March 2nd. I guess it's too late to even to go snapnames or pool because is has already gone to the auctions and the person who backordered it is just now waiting for it?

At GoDaddy, they have a 12 day grace period followed by a 30 day redemption period. That's 42 days + 5 more days Pending Delete at ICANN. March 2nd to May 18th, is already way past that timescale. The domain would normally have either been picked up at auction and in the winner bidder's account already, or dropped and picked up by a drop-catcher. If they hadn't picked it up it would now be available for registration.

The example you give where the domain is still in redemption is not an ordinary case. The GoDaddy ToS say everything is at their discretion. When the domain expires, ICANN automatically renew it for 1 year at the registrar. So it is in GoDaddy's account and they can do what they like with it. GoDaddy need to delete it at the registry, perhaps they haven't done that.

It would appear that nobody backordered the domain, else they would have won it at auction already. Can you not place a backorder on the domain? If not, ask them if you can purchase the domain from them. If not place a bid at all the dropcatchers.

OK. I can now say with some degree of confidence how the expired domains drop at GoDaddy (having experience it).

Expire: Day 0
Renewal Grace Period: 12 days
Redemption Grace Period: 29 days (they appear to count both start and end dates to make 30 days)
Deleted from account: Day 41
TDNAM Auction: After deletion but date not yet known

The Redemption Grace Period is the same as offered by ICANN, so if the domain doesn't go to auction it goes to Pending Delete status for 5 days and drops on the 6th day. Usually this won't happen because GoDaddy have already paid for the domain to be renewed. So they can take their time listing it on TDNAM (this is why date listed on TDNAM still isn't known).

I have been informed by support that the transition from Renewal Grace Period to Redemption Grace Period can be up to another 5 days, but not to count on it. This might extend the Delete date by 5 days, but don't count on it. I've never seen it. After 41 days, it's gone.

An example might demonstrate this clearly.

Domain expires: 7-14
Renewal Grace Period ends: 7-26
Redemption Grace Period ends: 8-25

Bye-bye domain on 8-25.
__________________

oops! My maths! It's 42 days :)

i think that Backordering is a failar way to get a domain i prefer to choose my domain name which good for my site content and seo

does anyone know what auction company REGISTER.COM uses for expiring domains.

for me I will not use backordering as expensive... I will wait for the day the domain actual deleted and register
It may not work. I am also suffering from the same problem and i too thought i would wait for it to be deleted.
But now my domain is being grabbed by "domain taster" or domain kiting companies. It was registered with somebody for 5 days then enom.com registered it. ( i saw the whois but after a few hours they changed it to a dummy company it is unbelievable that enom does domain kiting I would never use enom) and now it has been grabbed my name.net.
The only thing i can do is take a backorder from godaddy.com so when it is dropped after the 5 day period i can grab.
Earlier i had a "spare" (long story) backorder. Godaddy do not refer backorders and one of my clients had a domain which he used for redirection he had forgotten about it. It went into redemption period and then he told me to renew it.
I just used that "spare" backorder and got it back as soon as the redemption period got over.
The problem is with domains that have traffic. I have another domain which expired but now it is free. I have to talk to the client to renew it. This particular domain was not getting any hits so that is why non one wants.

The domain I am after get atleast a few hits every week. So now I am goint to check the days calculate it and then try to grab it. WHen hey have given it back. But I dont think i can get it if someone has already back ordered it.
Lets see I have still have 20 days or I will ask my client to shell out 18.95 for the backorder.

I am thinking of trying some domain grabbing tools before taking a back order searching for some tools right now. I think you can try that too before back ordering

Do you know who dotreg.com uses?
dotreg appears to be affiliated to dotster in some way, so I would say NameWinner according to the OP.

NameWinner is defunct. Dotster registered domains now go to Snapnames.

e3internet auction their expired domains off too., and RSS their current domains
for auction list, which is handy.

on the subject of "drop catching" i am avaialble to catch you .co.uk domains,
PM me if your interested

I couldn't find anything about their (e3internet) auctions on their website.

OK. I just wanted to add to the knowledge base about 1&1 (Schlund + Partner) registered domains, which I never covered initially.

At 1&1 (Schlund + Partner) there is no Renewal Grace Period AT ALL. Once the domain expires, it immediately goes into a 30 day Redemption Grace Period. The fee to get it out of Redemption is $40. After the 30 day RGP is over, they delete the domain from the registry. Here is the link to their FAQ.. http://faq.1and1.com/domains/other_issues_regarding_domains/2.html

the most popular registrar that does backordering is godaddy they sell the expired and registered domain name at very cheap rate starting from 7$

OK. It's probably time for an update on how to make a backorder. So here it is.

The absolutely best way to acquire an expiring domain is to buy it before it expires from the current owner. Advantages: You get to the domain before it even expires and eliminate all competition from any backorder service or person. Disadvantages: You alert the current owner to any potential interest in the domain.

The next best way to acquire an expiring domain is to backorder it.....

If it's a GoDaddy registered domain backorder it at GoDaddy. You pay $18.95 up front and if you don't capture the domain you can still use the credit to backorder another domain until you eventually capture one. There are no refunds. If it's backordered already, you might want to monitor it at GoDaddy's auction house TDNAM on a half-weekly basis from about 30 days after expiry until it either expired or is renewed. For insurance, you might want to also consider bids at SnapNames and Pool (also if it's backordered already at GoDaddy).

If it's at eNom or eNom Reseller, you should monitor Club Drop on a half-weekly basis from about 28 days after expiry until the time it drops or is renewed. eNom have a tendency to hang onto domains from 3 months up to 1 year in Extended Redemption Grace Period. So don't get disappointed if it doesn't drop. For insurance, you might want to also consider bids at SnapNames and Pool.

If it's registered anywhere else backorder it at SnapNames and Pool. Your initial bid is $60 but you don't pay unless you win. If you are the only backorderer, you win immediately. If there is more that 1 backorder for the domain, there will be a short 3-day auction. It's up to you if you want to participate or not. The most critical time is the last 5 minutes of any auction. things really hot-up then if there are lots of backorderers. Any bid in the last 5 minutes extends the auction by 5 minutes. You should place the highest bit 6 minutes before the close and hope everyone else is asleep. Monitor the auction closely until it closes or you lose interest.

People have asked "if i bid at both SnapNames and Pool, aren't I competing against myself?". Well the answer is NO. You want to be on the list of backorderers for that domain at whoever captures that domain. So you might win the domain outright (no other backorderers at the winning drop-catcher) or at least be in the auction. If you only bid at one and the other captures the domain, you lose.

If the domain is not captured using these tactics, all is not yet lost. The domain may have been captured by a domain taster. What they do is taste the domain for 4 1/2 days and either keep it or let it drop. There can be one domain taster after another tasting the domain every 5 days. This can go on for months. GoDaddy are very good at capturing these kinds of domains. Afaik, they are the only backorder company who continue to monitor the domain after the inital drop. So either backorder it at GoDaddy or wait for it to finally drop and you can register it again. You should never visit the domain or do a whois lookup if it's captured by a drop-catcher. Stealth is required in order to never give the domain taster an inkling that there might be someone else interest in the domain. I'd suggest 1 whois lookup every 5+1 days to see if it's still registered.

Mods: feel free to post this in a new thread "Backordering Revisited"

I couldn't find anything about their (e3internet) auctions on their website.
Hi Stu,

Sorry about that, you've caught us right in the middle of updating several systems, including the domain auctions and the web site seems to be the last thing on the list.


You can access our domain auctions directly here (https://e3internet.domainauctionservice.com)

As Ruptbot pointed out (thanks) we have RSS feeds available at the bottom of the page.

We've also just released a new domain auction valuation tool (http://www.e3internet.com/shop/domain-auctions/tools), which lets you sort the domains by Creation date and Yahoo! links. You also have quick links to the web archive and backlinks themselves. Sign up for email alerts (http://www.e3internet.com/shop/domain-auctions/tools/subscribe.php) on your search results.

I hope you find that interesting, feel free to PM on any questions, I'd be happy to help.


Nick

GoDaddy backorder update. Ok. I forgot to mention this.

If the domain is regged at GoDaddy (or Wild West Domains or BlueRazor), and you backorder it at GoDaddy, then, if the domain drops, the domain is transferred to GoDaddy's auction house, TDNAM, and your backorder is placed as the first bid on the domain.

If the domain isn't registered at GoDaddy, then you win the domain outright if GoDaddy capture it. However, nobody should be backordering a domain at GoDaddy which isn't registered there, unless they want to run the gauntlet of losing it to dropcatchers and domain tasters. You get last dips.

OK. What should your GoDaddy backorder strategy be? If it's regged at GoDaddy, then don't backorder it at GoDaddy. Just wait for it to appear on TDNAM some 12-17 days after expiry. Then use whatever strategy you use at auctions. If it's not registered at GoDaddy, then don't backorder it at GoDaddy. Follow the previous instructions and backorder it at SnapNames/Pool/ClubDrop.

I just come across this awesome list of which registrars partner with which dropcatchers... http://www.whois-search.com/deleting/who.php

I came across this in another forum. It's from the Office of the President at GoDaddy and is therefore more authoritative than my statements. It deals with backordering and auction timing, and deletion.

On the expiration date we attempt to renew if the auto-renew is enabled.
We attempt 2 more renewals, on the 5th and 12th day
The name is parked on day 5 to alert the customer
On day 12 if the renewal has not been processed, the name goes into a 30
day redemption period. The name can be renewed at the regular rate up
until the end of day 18.
On day 19 the renewal would also incur the $80.00 redemption fee.
On day 26 the name enters the expired domains auction where it remains
until day 36.
If there are no bids the name goes into the fire sale auction on day 37
where it remains until day 42.
On day 43:
If there is an auction winner the name is awarded to them.
If there is no auction winner, the name goes to a backorder in our
system should one exist.
If there is neither an auction winner or a backorder, the name drops to
the registry for 30 days plus deletion.
Of course, as per our legal agreements these terms are subject to change
at any time.

This statement is silent as to whether $10 of the backorder is placed as the first bid on the domain or not. I confirmed with GoDaddy that yes, if you place a backorder on a domain before the action starts, then $10 will be placed the first bid. If you backorder the domain after the auction starts, then your backorder will be held until the end of the regular auction and provided it's not purchased in the regular auction, the backorder will be successful before the start of the fire sale ($5 buy it now).

All GoDaddy, Blue Razor, WildWestDomains registered domains go through the same process. They all end up on TDNAM auction. So best strategy is don't backorder these domains. Wait for them to appear on TDNAM and snipe them in the last few minutes of the auction.

stu2, you're the man! Thanks for the wisdom

Would just like to share a horrible experience.

I wanted to register an expired domain, lets just call it expireddomain.com

- expireddomain.com status is "Pending Delete"
- Registrar is Godaddy.
- after 5 day lapse of Pending Delete status it immediately got "snapped"

- I don't understand, how can this happen? I kept doing a whois to know if the domain is dropped. Then after 5 minutes it was already under snapnames. There was no dns propagation that happened. I was very vigil at monitoring the domain, but still after a few minutes of checking, it was already for auction by snapnames at $79.00. For me, this is such an unfair and unethical practice.

Thanks. I replied to this in the Domain Name Forum thread here... http://www.webhostingtalk.com/showthread.php?t=645473

good info. anyone know about this registrar

http://www.itsyourdomain.com

Who is the cheapest domain reg that offers backodering?
thanks

I can offer you cheap backordering for $1 with no guarantee of success. You shouldn't be backordering domains with ANY registrar. You should use the backordering services of NameJet/SnapNames/Pool depending on where it's presently registered.

Ok. Network Solutions and eNom have joined forces and setup their own dropcatching/auction site, NameJet.com. So if a domain is registered at either of these two registrars, then you should place your backorder at NameJet.com.

Snapnames is genreally one of the best at catching domains but you will pay a lot.. Snapnames auctions tend to go to insane heights.

It's called the marketplace of supply and demand :( Economics 101 :)

I'd like to just summarize in general, where you should be placing your backorders today.

GoDaddy/WildWestDomains/BlueRazor > TDNAM
NetworkSolutions/eNom > NameJet
All Others > SnapNames/Namejet/Pool*

* Each of these dropcatchers have some exclusive arrangements with various registrars. There is an oldish list here.. http://www.whois-search.com/deleting/who.php It might not have been updated for a while, but it'll give you an indication of where to use. Actually you should bid at all 3 to cover your bets. These 3 capture the overwhelming majority of dropping domains. So if one of them captures the domain you'll be in with a chance to win it.

Network Solutions / NameJet backorder update.

I've mentioned that all Network Solutions expired domains now go to NameJet auctions. I've now calculated the timeframe from expiry to end of Pending Delete Auction. It's not surprisingly 72 days. Then a 3 day auction. Then drop/win at the end of 75 days.

Afternic becomes TuCows exclusive expiry auction partner

June 12, 2008 — NameMedia announced its award winning AfternicDLS marketplace has been selected as the exclusive expiry auction partner by leading Internet registrar Tucows.
Effective immediately, thousands of daily expired domains from Tucows are automatically available for auction on Afternic. The estimated addition of 100,000 premium domains each month to AfternicDLS inventory will further enhance the selection of domain options for Afternic members. Afternic DLS currently offers millions of premium domains for sale to a global audience of buyers and sellers and enjoys the highest domain sales market share in the industry.

Tucows,one of the top five registrars in the world, joins an expanding list of top-tier registrars who are selecting Afternic as their exclusive auction platform for expiry domains.

NameMedia's Marketplace senior vice president and general manager Pete Lamson said, "AfternicDLS's mission is to create a one stop destination for domain buyers, sellers and owners. We are thrilled to have the addition of Tucows' expired domain names as is a significant step in helping us achieve this goal due to the high quality and volume of their expiring names."

"This was an easy decision to make. NameMedia's domain marketplace has established itself as the industry's leading venue for the sale of premium domains," says Bill Sweetman, General Manager, Tucows Domain Portfolio "NameMedia brings to the table a wealth of domain sales experience, a global SMB targeted customer base, personalized customer service and a track record of proven success".

AfternicDLS members benefit from a truly global domain marketplace along with a full service auction platform featuring DNescrow ™ and the industry's most experienced team of domain consultants.

Auction names now available include: OceanFit.com, PlayGolf.com, QuikPrep.com, UFO.net, and VIPBag.com, and many more ....

See more!
Best Regards,

Pete Lamson, SVP & GM

Update Expiring Domains: Registrar Preferred Auction Partners

According to WebHosting.info (http://www.webhosting.info/registrars/fastest-growing-registrars/global/?ob=tdomains&oo=desc) as of June 2008, the top 10 registrars are listed below. I have added their current Preferred Auction Partner

24.4M - GoDaddy >>> TDNAM
8.5M - eNom >>> NameJet
6.7M - NetSol >>> NameJet
6.3M - Tucows >>> Afternic
5.0M - MelbourneIT >>> None
4.2M - Schlund+Partner >>> None
3.0M - WildWestDomains >>> TDNAM
2.8M - Moniker >>> SnapNames
2.6M - Register >>> SnapNames
1.8M - Public Domain Registry >>> SnapNames

I have NEVER had success with backordering, does it ever work out? Or is it just a way for registrars to make $?

If you follow the advice in this thread you will be on the path to success with backordering domains. How/where do you backorder domains at the moment?

OK. An update for SnapNames.

Tucows (apparently no longer exclusively auctioned at Afternic), Register, and Moniker, all specify that their domains will go to a public auction once a bid is placed on Snapnames for Pre-Release domains. This means that even with only one bid on the domain, it will go to a public not private auction for 3 days. You don't ever win it outright because you were the only bidder.

also at Tucows, they have a tendency to renew any good domains for themselves and withdraw them from auction. so don't be surprised if you bid on a Tucows registered domain and don't ever win it. because they do that a lot.

I'm sorry,
I'm not seeing a tutorial at the link provided. freewhois.com
There's a domain that comes due in may that I'm interested in and I talked to someone at name.com who informed me that this service was available. She told me that if the name gets re-registered by the current owner the money is refunded. I'm interested in learning more

I never said there was a tutorial at freewhois.org. It's just a link to a whois service.

TBH, you shouldn't really be talking to anybody about backordering a domain, if you are serious about going after it.

Having said that. Where is the domain registered?

I never said there was a tutorial at freewhois.org. It's just a link to a whois service.

TBH, you shouldn't really be talking to anybody about backordering a domain, if you are serious about going after it.

Having said that. Where is the domain registered?

Its registrar is enom

You best chance of winning an eNom registered domain is to backorder it at NameJet whilst it is still in it's Pre-Release phase (about 30-40 days after expiry). Needless to say you should only place your bid at the very last moment possible.

Thanks,
I'll keep an eye out and see if the guy re-registers it.

Most do get renewed. What happened to the domain you were watching?

Longtime lurker, first-time poster. :)

I'm interested in a domain registered with GKG.net that's currently in redemption period. They don't seem to offer a backorder service themselves and I haven't found evidence of a partnership with any particular dropcatcher.

Sounds like I should just do the Pool/NameJet/Snapnames trifecta, but I'm not clear on whether it would be best to backorder now or wait a little longer (expiration date was <29 days ago).

I've read reviews indicating GKG sometimes gives customers a little more of a "fudge" period for renewing without penalty than some registrars. This is exactly what their support FAQ says:

GKG reserves the right to delete any domain not renewed by [its expiration] date. However, generally, GKG will place a domain on HOLD and remove the domain from the zone files for a number of days before deleting the domain. This action will remove a web site from the Internet and stop mail from being delivered. This action is taken to further remind customers that did not heed our repeated notifications.

Customers may take advantage of GKG's domain restore service to restore deleted domains to active status up to 30 days after deletion. To request this service, please follow the instructions found on the Domain Restore page.

Should I start back-ordering now, or wait until like day 29?

I'm not entirely sure of the timing either with GKG or when it lists on the big three. Is it listed on any of them now? I think you could wait until day 35. But that's only a think. Usually after day 42 it goes into redemption and will get deleted. If you really want this domain, better to backorder it now on all three. You could then tell when the last date to order by. I'd appreciate knowing that date.

I'm hesitant to check backorders on the name I want for fear that it might just put it on the dropcatchers' radar and end up costing more (it has very strong regional value, but not as obvious to somebody out-of-state).

However, I found another GKG domain I don't care as much about which belongs to the same registrant with an identical expiration date. The Snapnames "order by" column is blank on that one, as is Namejet's, and Pool shows its deletion date as unknown.

Will a last date to order by always show up before it's too late to catch? If so, seems I could run a pretty good little experiment by checking the decoy domain each day and then actually backordering the one I want on the final day.

That sound like a sensible strategy. But why not just search for a keyword in the domain name to see if the domain pops up anywhere. That also might give you an order by date.

Excellent suggestion, especially since both domains share a keyword.

FYI, I asked GKG support directly if they offer a backordering service or have any kind of partnership with one in particular. The answer to both was "no.

The rep offered this advice: "You can check daily for the domain name you're looking for after it's expired for more than 35 days. Within 10 days at that point it will be released to the public for registration."

I guess its not a good idear trying to register the domain manually.
You sould use snapnames.pool thats it. Against them you will not have a chance. they have approx 400 registrars who are trining to get the domain .

Haven't you read any of this thread? The first thing you need to determine is where the domain is currently registered and who is their droplist partner. I would at least add NameJet to your very short list of dropcatchers. Also GoDaddy Auctions, if it's registered at GoDaddy.

Yes I read it.
The domain is at GKG.net that's currently in redemption period.
They have no droplist partner.

If the domain would went to a droplist provider the status of the domain would never be redemption period, because a restore will cost them xx usd .

They usualy put the domains for auction in the renew grace period. In the whois it will look like the domain has been renewed for one year.
If noone is bidding for the domain or the domain has no traffic they will release it.
Then the domain goes 30 days in redemption period and then 6 days in pending delete. then the domain is free for registration again.

I know what I am talking about. :-)
I am working in the domain industry since 2001

namejet never got me any domain that has been deleted exceppt from their drop partners . They have only a few registrar partners for drop catching

Snapnames, NameJet, Pool, in that order have consistently caught dropping domains. InTrust Domains too, but you never know with them if they will keep the domain for themselves. So I never use them because of this trust issue.

@Stub: The two GKG-registered domains I've been watching expired on May 14 and now show a last day to order of July 5 on all three major dropcatchers.

I backordered one of them at Snapnames a few weeks ago. Much to my surprise, the domain didn't show up on their site when searching for the main keyword for at least a couple weeks. I figured backordering would automatically cause it to show up in searches in order to help drive up the bid price, but apparently Snapnames doesn't do that.

Namejet goes a step further by saying order by 9 a.m. PT on July 5. So, I guess that means the domain should drop between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. PT on July 5?

Normally domains drop around day 78 after expiry. I have seen them go to about day 80.

I've been comparing a couple of cheap backorder registrars, Dynadot.com ($14.99) and GoDaddy (20.99). although I like the search features of dropping domains at Dynadot, I backorder any domains at GoDaddy. Why? Because GoDaddy has many more Registrars (GoAustraliaDomains etc) knocking on the doors of the Registry than Dynadot (who has 1 I think). So GoDaddy has much more chance of winning the domain than Dynadot. I also don't like that the backorder is public at Dynadot and private at GoDaddy.

Of course this only works for domains which actually drop and not picked up the big two SnapNames/NameJet, and other big drop-catchers like Andrew Reberry (Huge Domains). They will beat GoDaddy to the drop-catch as easily (probably more so) than GoDaddy beats Dynadot.

One tip: If you see a domain with a bid on dynadot, then go to SnapNames/NameJet and see if the domain has bids. If there are no bids on either then backorder it at GoDaddy (and Dynadot if you want). If it has bids on either SnapNames/NamJet you should backorder it on both.

I've been doing a bit of work on which Registrars partner with SnapNames. I looked at about 75 domains in february which were being offered as Expiring Domains (which can still be renewed, therefore retain their age). These are the Registrars I found with their opening bid prices.

Above $59
Directi $89
Dotster $79
Moniker $69
Name $?
Register $69
TuCows $69

The reason there is no price for Name.com was because the 1 domain I found, dropped from their system before I could record the price. Also, I didn't find any other Registrars than these in my 75 domains. The names I selected were not scientifically selected. They were only domains I had an interest in. But I think it is fairly safe to assume this probably accounts for about 95% (or more) of their dropping partners (by volume of domains).

A similar exercise at NameJet revealed the following,

Ascio
eNom
Fabulous
NetSol

There maybe others but these were the only ones I came across.