Reasons why some expired domains are impossible to register
The expired domain arena consists of a pool of players that will readily snap up names for the sole purpose of reselling it but as long as the playing field is level, it would be deemed to be fair.
Unfortunately, since about a year ago (about last quarter of 2004), the situation has changed and in order to get a piece of this huge expired domain business, registrars are getting into it through their various self-created resellers while still feigning to be providing a fair system. These proxies will lead back to the big registrars. Goes to prove that if they are not guilty, there is really no need to hide behind so many names.
Even a name like alertapprenticemomoptomisticphilanthropyneeded.com would be taken if you do a search at your favorite registrar. Another name like chronicfatiguesyndrome-treatment.com holds no value at all firstly because of the length of the name and also the irregular hyphen in it that would make it hard to remember and deters type-ins.
What comes to mind on anyone grabbing such names is that they are using some automated software that is unable to logically determine the actual value of a name.
If you're thinking of grabbing an expired domain that is of interest to you, you are probably out of luck.
You've probably reached this page searching for info on acquiring expired domains. Few will probably be searching for information on how some of the small virtually unknown registrars are able to snap up domain names they are interested in within seconds it is dropped.
Fact is there was probably never a name drop in the first place. This is part of the unfair competition that exists in the expired domain arena. There are registrars that, through a list of their various proxies, holding on to domain names and testing traffic on one end while offering backordering service (where you pay a premium fee even for uncompeted expired domains) on the other.
Initially, we thought that the domains would go to one of these probably virtual registrars as long as there are queries for it either once it is dropped or before it is dropped. Observation has proven that with or without any queries for the dropped domains on the registrars' nameservers, they will still hold on to the names.
So basically the whole list of their deleted domain names are passed on to their resellers, which will basically try to theme a search page full of ads and wait for type-in and any existing search engine traffic. There is any sort of fair system in place and if it does exist, it is probably among this group of 'friendly' registrars.
By doing that, it is also a way for these registrars to get the names to be sold for higher prices rather than the basic registration fees, as long as there are interested buyers.
If the name of interest to you is presently taken by these 'sharks', chances are that you will have to approach them and pay a higher price to buy it. As they are provided with a grace period of a few days, in which they can cancel the domains registered without having to pay for it, there is virtually no risk at all for them. With those domains that have traffic, it may even provides them with revenue from clicks generated on their search page at no additional cost.
If you do not wish to buy the domain at a higher premium, you will have to wait for them to drop the name back into the pool in about a week's time.
This is provided the name itself doesn't generate much hits. If it does, it won't be dropped and you'll have no choice but to buy it off them (probably at an even higher premium) or let the name be gone for good.
Reasons why some expired domains are impossible to register
Why registrars are holding on to the expired names
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