For most top level domain names, when the
time of the registration for the certain domain
name is not prolongated, then such domain name
becomes expired, and passes through several
distinct periods.

1. The grace period, when the registrant may
prolongate this domain name at the usual price.

Different sites (usually registrars, or the teams of registrars)
have different designations for the domain names in this period.

Expired, expiring, pre-release, and so on, ...

This period is most interesting for the people,
which want to obtain the most delicious domain
names, because certain registrars place such
domain names into their exclusive auctions,
and, if you will win such domain name there,
then it will not be released, and its date
of registration will be preserved.

If the previous registrant will prolongate
such domain name, which you have won,
then, usually, you should not pay anything.

If the previous registrant will not prolongate
such domain name, then you will pay the money,
according to your bid on such exclusive auction,
and you will obtain such domain name.

The main difficulty (and opportunity) with such
exclusive auctions is, that there exist on the Net
many different sites with such exclusive auctions.

The lazy people do not explore all such
sites, but the industrious people may obtain
(sometimes at the cheap prices) the delicious
domain names, which have not been found
by the lazy people.

2. The redemption period, when the registrant may
prolongate the domain name at the increased price.

Usually, the domain name in this period is not prolongated,
because the price is much more expensive, than the usual price,
and will be later released to the public. Thus, it may be already
useful to back order the catching of such domain name through
the special services, which are provided by the certain
registrars, or by the teams of the registrars.

3. The pending delete period, when the
domain name is scheduled for the release,
and, usually, may not be prolongated, but,
very rarely, is prolongated according to
the order from the authorities.

During this period, you have the last chance
to back order the catching of such domain name,
because the best domain names are catched during
the time of the few seconds after the release.

4. The release to the public.

After the release, when the best domain names have
been already catched by the wise people, you may try
to find something useful in the remaining waste. The
value of such remaining domain names is usually low,
but the price of their registration is usually cheap in
comparison with the auctions, thus, the exploration
of this waste may bring to you some profit.

This system preserves the old lists of
the expired domain names during several
weeks, so that you may explore these old
lists, when it is convenient for you.