Best practices for backordering

How to pick up a domain about to expire

[man in poland]

Hi folks,

I've been keeping my eyes on a domain that is about to expire in a month or so. It's a good one, the site has remained pretty much undeveloped for many years. It was registered for 10 years, and despite my repeated attempts to contact the owner - nothing. I'm guessing that he's not interested in the site at all.

How would you put yourself in the very best position to pick up such a domain? Backorders on multiple sites? Other options? I hate the backorder principle, because I guess it just flags it up to the registrars that this is valuable.

Is there some kind of inside track approach that can work in such cases?

Any ideas gratefully received

[bwnbwn]

Backorder it and either hope there isn't others watching and you can pick it up without the domain going to auction, or it goes to auction and be the highest bidder.

No real secret ball magic hocus pocus you can do.

[Webwork]

I'd call him again, send him an email with a money offer in the subject line, mail him a letter, etc. Offer what the domain is worth to you and be prepared to walk away.

Place your drop order with whatever agency handles the registrar's drops. (You can ask them. Some handle their own expiration->auctions, like GD, others funnel their expirations to SnapNames, and some may (rarely) get picked up by non-affiliated drop services.)

Chances are that if you're interested in the domain that there are dozens of other folks who will have their eye on it too, so cover all your bases.

[edited by: Webwork at 1:44 pm (utc) on Jan. 15, 2010]

[man in poland]

Thanks folks. I'm not expecting a miracle. It is quite possible someone else will get it, or it is renewed at the last minute, so I am very realistic. The most important thing is that I give myself the very best chance and do not miss doing all I can, so I thank you for your suggestions.

Cheers!