Snap Names, Pool, wait till drop or other?

[lappert2001]

I'm interested in a .com domain that expired mid-June, so it's a pending delete status right now. It was registered with Network Solutions, so I gather the period is 35 days. I'm not a pro at grabbing expired names and would use the domain, not trade or sell it.

I guess I'm looking for collective wisdom on how to best get the domain. I don't think it's of high commercial value or even a valuable keyword.

I don't mind paying $60 to SnapNames, but I'm irked that NetSol is making money off of a drop instead of just returning it the registry for whoever wants it. If you look it up on NetSol whois, they steer you to SnapNames.

But others here seem to use Pool.com. Are these the only (or best) options? Does SnapNames have an edge? If I used both to hedge my bets, would I be bidding against myself when the delete occurs?

And if successful, must one then register it at NetSol, or can one choose their registrar?

[stu2]

If it's currently regged at NetSol, then it's more than 99% that it will be sold at SnapNames. So get your initial bid in at SnapNames.

If it's a valuable keyword, then don't expect to be the only bidder at $60. Be prepared for very stiff competition and don't get surprised how much it finally goes for. The key is to get your $60 bid in asap and the concentrate on the 3 day auction when it is auctioned off. The last 5 minutes of the auction are extremely critical. Bids in the last 5 minutes, extend the auction for another five minutes, until there are no more bids.

The price includes a 1 year extension to the registration at the existing registrar. You will be assigned an account for this should you win. You can then transfer out to the registrar of your choice after 60 days.

[wmuser]

Snapnames is your the only option ans all Netsol names are picked up by Snapnames only.

[Kjel]

That's only true if the SnapNames back-order was placed prior to 35 days past the domain' expiration date. If a domain is already in RGP or Pending Delete status when the order is placed, SnapNames will not necessarily get the name.