[Hidden-tech] domain purchase at expiration

[Sam McClellan]

Hi Stacy,

Rich and Bruce have pretty well covered it, I just have a few additions. 
There is an (often) 30-45 day period (depending on the registrar) where 
you can renew the domain at the normal price then the domain goes a into 
redemption period at which point it can still be restored but for a lot 
more money ($70-120) for 15-30 days, then it gets released for auction 
and then registration. So if 45 days pass the likelihood that they will 
renew it goes way down due to the much higher price. Once it's released, 
with some registrars it goes up for auction and, if not purchased, then 
becomes available and the domain can be snatched up pretty 
instantaneously by a bot for resale if it looks like it might be 
popular, although that's much better since ICANN tightened up the refund 
system.

Sam