The domain name business has evolved several times since I first registered my own domain in 1994. Back then, domain names were awkward to register and almost like a holy grail to obtain. Since then, the process has been getting easier and easier, and today there are millions of domains registered.
Here is how the system works now:
After a name expires it is disabled for 30 or so days. During this period, it is easy to renew it.
If you don't renew it during those 30 days, the domain name goes into "redemption" mode. If you still want to keep the domain name, you will have to pay an additional $80 and endure a lot of moaning and lecturing from me (but you get it back).
If you don't renew it during the redemption period, the domain name goes on the market where it is likely to be grabbed quickly by a speculator. There are a lot of speculators who jump at the chance to buy a used domain name. They will try to get whatever they can for it.
Today there is a new trend of grabbing an expired name and sitting on it for some period of time (years) and holding it ransom. We had this done on one a while back and it the new "owners" wanted $1500 for its release.
I keep the domains registered through VDBS on auto-renewal unless you have instructed me not to do so. When you register a domain name through VDBS, auto-renew is automatically set to YES. This is done for your protection.
If you decide not to renew a registration, be sure to contact me and set auto-renew to OFF. This must be done at least 30 days before the expiration date because autorenewals can happen starting at that time. If a domain name is automatically renewed, you will be billed and will be responsible for the renewal fee.
As always, please get in contact with any questions or assistance needed.
John Blakney
[email protected]
501-256-8514