Here is what you need to know: What status is the domain in (expired, rgp, pendingdelete). Expired means the registrar has renewed it for free for X days (it

Here is what you need to know: What status is the domain in (expired, rgp, pendingdelete). Expired means the registrar has renewed it for free for X days (it lasts up to like 45 days I think, it depends on registrar's policy). RGP is expensive expired, the registry charges I think $50 and registrars generally charge $100+. Then pendingdelete, means it DELETES in 5-6 days depending on registry (verisign/pir... not sure on neustar). If its just expired and NOT RGP, then you have to check for registrar relationships. Most places call it something like pre-release and have an agreement with a dropcatcher/auction site. The most popular ones being NameJet, SnapNames, Pool. Figure out which one has pre-release rights and backorder there. IT WILL NOT ACTUALLY EXPIRE IF SOMEONE HAS BID ON PRERELEASE. If its hit RGP (redemption grace period) it is going to drop eventually unless the owner renews it. You can try to contact the owner and buy it that way, it's risky, but it's the only thing happening at that point. PendingDelete means it's expiring. It will be delete from the registry and whomever orders it fastest will get it. The original registrar has ZERO advantage at this point. big companies like namejet/snapnames/pool have a ton of registrar partners who they use all of their connections at once to try and grab these domains. Most of them allow you to backorder for free and if they catch it, it goes to auction between those who ordered it. Backorder it for free at ALL of them. Hopefully one of them catches it and not a private company investing in domains for themselves. Good luck. If you have any questions I am happy to answer more.