I suppose one way to test this theory would be to write bots that periodically and randomly query specific names, then see which registrars are bumping the pric

I suppose one way to test this theory would be to write bots that periodically and randomly query specific names, then see which registrars are bumping the prices for said names. They might exclude server providers from their scoring so the bots should run from home networks and look like real browsers. I bet there are folks here with experience in that area.