Are all expiring Dotster domain names made available through SnapNames?

I am trying to figure out how I missed out on a (valuable) expiring domain name -- registered with Dotster -- that I was interested in. When I checked the whois info, the contact info for all fields was:

Pending Deletion
P.O. Box 821650.
Vancouver, WA 98682

The contact e-mail was "pendingdelete" at "register-api" dot "com".

Since I thought SnapNames handles Dotster drops exclusively, I placed a bid at SnapNames. At the time I placed my bid, the SnapNames interface listed the domain's status as "Available Soon" with an "Order By" date of March 11. I placed my bid on March 1.

Having placed the bid, I monitored the status at SnapNames daily. I saw the two other users also placed bids. Then, on March 5, I suddenly noticed that the SnapNames interface had changed the domain status from "Available Soon"to "Backorder."

Upon checking the whois info on March 5, I saw the following:

Registrar: DOTSTER
Created on: 03-MAR-11
Expires on: 31-JAN-12
Last Updated on: 03-MAR-11

The registration contact info is now private, and the domain is up for sale on Sedo.

I do not understand why I missed the release of this domain. Perhaps someone that understands the process better than I can shed some light?

Originally Posted by johnnyblue

Are all expiring Dotster domain names made available through SnapNames?

I am trying to figure out how I missed out on a (valuable) expiring domain name -- registered with Dotster -- that I was interested in. When I checked the whois info, the contact info for all fields was:

Pending Deletion
P.O. Box 821650.
Vancouver, WA 98682

The contact e-mail was "pendingdelete" at "register-api" dot "com".

Since I thought SnapNames handles Dotster drops exclusively, I placed a bid at SnapNames. At the time I placed my bid, the SnapNames interface listed the domain's status as "Available Soon" with an "Order By" date of March 11. I placed my bid on March 1.

Having placed the bid, I monitored the status at SnapNames daily. I saw the two other users also placed bids. Then, on March 5, I suddenly noticed that the SnapNames interface had changed the domain status from "Available Soon"to "Backorder."

Upon checking the whois info on March 5, I saw the following:

Registrar: DOTSTER
Created on: 03-MAR-11
Expires on: 31-JAN-12
Last Updated on: 03-MAR-11

The registration contact info is now private, and the domain is up for sale on Sedo.

I do not understand why I missed the release of this domain. Perhaps someone that understands the process better than I can shed some light?

I'm not sure, but I have noticed several domains I have lost the same as you, I think if they have a even a little potential the registrar picks them up and parks them.

I wouldn't give up on it though, write down exact date usually 45 days or sooner,
Don't search domain until you know the date.
I don't have domain procedure link on days,
Review .....
If registrar didn't keep it may be available sooner than you think.