Why to backorder from somebody else?

Of course, there's yet one more secret to the domain drop that (sort of) changes everything. Some time ago, VeriSign proposed to do away with the domain drop altogether and provide a flat-fee, first-come-first-served waiting list service. This was completely in keeping with the spirit of brand-new domain registration, and the prices weren't even that high. But VeriSign completely controlled the wait list process, which was monopolistic. Several lawsuits later, the waiting list service was (sort of) shelved. Quietly, registrars amended their user agreements, allowing them to repossess and resell domains as they expire. That's how SnapNames got the inside track on domains registered with Network Solutions. GoDaddy and Tucows have similar wording in their agreements.

So if you're going in for the kill on a domain drop, see where the domain is registered. If it's with Network Solutions, GoDaddy, or Tucows, they may well have first dibs on the domain as it expires. If someone back orders a domain on, say, GoDaddy and you have put in bids with everyone else, your rival may still get the all-access pass, leaving you with nothing. So be sure to add a back-order bid at the domain's current registrar as a safety measure.

It may not seem fair, or moral, or right. But nobody's offering a Hollywood ending here. Unless the movie in question is Swimming with Sharks.