stu2 - 2:50 am on Mar 16, 2006 (gmt 0)

Sorry for my late reply.

none of the domain name's registrar are offering backordering or publically partner with backordering websites?

Well, if that's true, you need to place backorder bids at all the major auctions/dropcatchers. Namely snapnames/clubdrop/namewinner/pool.

I have asked for the backorder in SN - so the domains are in my 'account' Do I need to place a bid straight away, or should I wait for the domain to 'expire'

Are you mixing terms here? It's pretty pointless placing a backorder bid on a domain that hasn't yet expired. Wait for it to expire and then bid on the domain. It might be up to another 35 days before it drops from the registry, depending on the registrar. You've already said that the domain's registrar doesn't affiliate itself with any of the auction houses/dropcatchers, which means that it will probably only drop from the registrar after the 5 day PENDING DELETE status appears in the whois. (as an aside, some affiliated auction houses hold their auctions before that time).

Anyhow, monitor the whois for the Pending Delete status, when you know it really is going to drop, and monitor your auction house/dropcatcher bids daily, just in case the domain does go to a preferred auction partner and they auction it off early.

After an dropcatcher catches the domain is where it gets really interesting. They all do it slightly differently, but a (second) auction begins for the domain. If you were the only bidder, you win immmediately (in most cases). If there is more than 1 bidder, then usually there's a 2-3 day auction period. You need to be on your toes at the end of the period to make sure you win the domain, usually in the last 5 minutes, or so.