Does domain backordering really work?

August 11, 2005 1:19 PM

Does domain backordering really work?

There's a domain name that I want to own that expires on November 18th. The name currently points to a blank page and whois information shows that it belongs to some generic group.

What are the chances that I'll get this name if I put it on backorder if the group isn't prompt to renew? Am I just wasting 20 bucks?

How long does it take?

posted by tozturk to computers & internet (3 comments total)

In my experience, no. I hooked up with an outfit to get a domain name I was interested in. Only after the domain had expired and was bought up by someone else did I learn of what happened. The fact that it was bought up by another company whose sole purpose was to resell the domain name to anyone willing to pay $5000 made me realize that I had given the chains of my torment to the demons.
posted by crunchland at 1:23 PM on August 11, 2005

yes. I've obtained two domain names for a client using GoDaddy's backordering.

If you *really* *really* must have a domain, then the answer is no -- it's not a guarantee. But we're something like 2 for 4 on domain backorders. Usually if it goes into "DELETE" status, you're gonna get it. Don't be fooled by the fact that the whois says it's expiring soon, because a lot of the auto-renew domains, ime, will just kick in on the last day. Keep in mind it takes about 90 days after a domain has expired to truly be deleted.

it's worth a shot, and backordering is probably cheaper than making them an offer. If the backordering doesn't work, you can always go the offer route.
posted by fishfucker at 1:37 PM on August 11, 2005

Here's an article from a few months back that goes into the process in a bit more detail.
posted by alan at 1:44 PM on August 11, 2005