Wendy writes in with the following questions on Expired Domain Names.

I really want a domain name that expired on March 26, 2008. I don’t want to back order it cause I think it goes to auction right? So about when will it be released once it has expired?
The domain deletion process is different with each domain name registrar, so each domain will be unique depending on it’s registrar. For example, there are many registrars that "partner" with domain auction services. NetworkSolutions.com is partnered with NameJet.com. So when a domain name expires that is registered with NetSol, the domain remains in an expired status for 35 days. (It may not appear to be expired if you look at whois information, as NetSol will add an extra year to the registration, so it’s best to watch the domain name servers or visit the acutal domain name) During these 35 days, the domain name will be listed in the Pre-Release section on NameJet. On the 36th day, the domain auction starts if there are back orders for the domain name. If no back orders are in place, the domain will likely follow the so called "normal" drop process which is like this:

• Active: 1-10 years
• Expired: 1-45 days
• Redemption Period (RGP): 30 Days
• Pending Delete: 5 days
• Available 
• Average time is 76 days from a domain names expire date to become available

Now again, each domain registrar is different and how they act upon their expired domain names. Technically, a registrar can just keep any expired domain name. Sad, but true. *cough* *cough* Tucows!

How do people "catch" an expired domain name?

I wish there was an easy answer to this . If or when a domain name reaches PendingDelete status, on the 6th day the domain name "drops". Each TLD has a specific "time range" of when a domain name will become available.

• .com & .net domain names start dropping at: 1:00 pm - 1:30 pm Central Standard Time
• .org domain names start dropping at: 8:30 am - 9:00 am Central Standard Time
• .info domain names start dropping at 3:30 am - 4:00 am Central Standard Time
• .biz domain names start dropping at 1:30 pm - 2:00 pm Central Standard Time
• .us domain names start droping at 12:00 am - 12:30 am Central Standard Time

The process to catch the domain is pretty simple. It just needs to be registered when it drops/becomes available. Now doing this, is the hard part. These domain names get registered in milliseconds. Drop Catching companies like SnapNames.com, Pool.com and eNom.com own Hundreds, yes Hundreds of domain name registrars. They all have software programs to automatically send "Buy Requests" to the registry at the drop times. They input lists or specific domain names that drop each day and "catch" the domain names that become available.

So if an entity wanted to do the same thing, first you would need to own your own domain name registrar. This is very expensive and can run into the $70,000 range PER domain name registrar. Not all cash, but still. Now that you have your registrar, you need some Sweet software to send the "buy requests" to the registry. After you have the system in place, your one little registrar is bringing a wet noodle to a sword fight, because SnapNames has 100+ registrars, eNom has about the same and Pool has about half (50ish) and you have 1. Now there are around 975 domain name registrars right now, so any or all of them could very well be going after the one little domain name that you want… I think you get my point here.

So the best thing to do if you really want a domain name that is in Pending Delete status, is to use the Back Order services the main drop catchers offer. SnapNames.com, NameJet.com (eNom) and Pool.com . You place your order for the domain name and pay no upfront cost unless the domain name is captured by them. If you were the only one to back order the domain name, you get it the domain for the cost the service charges for the back order (mainly under $99). If there are more then 1 back order for one domain name, a 3 day auction will take place, with the highest bidder winning.

If the domain name happens to be with a domain name registrar that "partners" with a domain name auction service, you will still need to place a back order for the domain name to either get it when the back order date is reached for the back order price, or again if more then one back order is in place, a 3 day auction will take place with the highest bidder winning the domain name. Now a key part here is, WHEN you place your back order. If you place a bid/back order and the auction service shows the Amount Of Bidders/back orders for the domain names listed with their service, that’s like putting up a big Red Flag saying Look at me, I am good! So it is always best to place your bid/back order as late as you can. Each service will inform you on the date/time you need to place your order.

Here is a list of "partnered" registrars and where their expired domain names go for auction that I am aware of.

1. Godaddy.com/WildWestDomains.com go to TDNAM.com . This will happen with about 13 days left in the RGP (Redemption period). They run a 7 day auction on Expired Domain Names. After you win the auction, you will get the domain name 7 days later, which means the RGP is over. IMO, this is how ALL domain auction services should be run!
2. NetworkSolutions.com/eNom.com and any eNom or NSI resellers (NameScout.com etc) go to NameJet.com
3. Register.com/DirectNic.com/Moniker.com/MyDomain.com/Dotster.com/DotRegister.com/DomainPeople.com Answerable.com go to SnapNames.com
4. Tucows.com stays with Tucows auction services like NameBids.com which really is a Reseller for Tucows. Tucows keeps anything that is good, which is BS if you ask me, but that’s what they do.
5. MelbourneIT.com go to Afternic.com

Domain names that go to auction with a "partnered" auction service will also "Hold" it’s creation date. Domain names that go PendingDelete and are captured, will have a creation date of when the domain is reregistered.

Jamie Zoch www.DotWeekly.com