Question on how to backorder a domain

Currently in renewal status

[Jane_Doe]

I noticed when checking one of my sites for broken links, I noticed that one of the domain names for one of the sites I currently link to expired in January and is in the renewal status period, which will end in shortly. I don't think the owner is around anymore because the last few times I emailed him I didn't get any reply, which was unusual.

The domain registrar is located in Europe and is listed as the contact on the whois registration.

I would like to buy this domain name if the owner doesn't renew it. Any tips or previous threads anyone can recommend on the best way to do that would be appreciated.

[Webwork]

Best approach: Call the registrant and offer to buy it. The registratnt might say no and renew it. Might ask for a million dollars. Might say "Hey, it's yours for the asking".

Second best approach: Put in the claims at each and every drop catching service and be prepared to bid against well moneyed folks and lunatics with money . . well, maybe, folks simply obsessed with the domain or with winning an auction.

Check to see if the registrar either runs their own drop service or has an exclusive deal with one of the drop catchers. If so you can figure out the rest, right? :) I certainly think so as your posts are pretty smart. (Hope you can take a compliment.)

[Jane_Doe]

I emailed the person who last registered the domain. I let him know his domain was up for renewal so he would not lose it. I also added that if he was not intereted in renewing then I then if he wanted to renew it briefly just to hang on to it, then I would be happy to buy it from him.

I found several email addresses for him but they all were bounced back to me as none of the addresses existed anymore.

I emailed the domain registrar and asked if they had a backorder service, but so far I have not heard back from them. I will try calling them tonight as they are located in Europe.

Thanks for the tips and the compliment, Webwork. I've learned a lot from your posts in the past.