Drop catching

Why it matters

Drop catchers watch expiring names and send many registration attempts at the exact drop time. Many services also offer backorders, where you pay only if they catch the name. Popular names often end in an auction between several backorder clients. A drop catch gives the buyer a fresh registration, though the name's past stays in the record. A common mistake is thinking every expired name will drop. Many are renewed late, sold at auction by the registrar or held back by the registry. Buyers should also check the name's history before bidding.

Source: sullysblog.com