Contacting expiring owners directly, your experience?

[brad05]

Most of the discussions here are around snatching domains sites that do that for you etc. But what about contacting the expiring domain owner directly? What has been your experience with this? Is it worth it?

 

[namezest]

If the domain was registered for 10 years the owner may have forgotten about it and not used the email associated, it will drop. If the owner has had it that long it might not. If the contact info works you might make them renew or they will charge you more than drop would. Would it cost a lot on after drop auction?
When you answer that question you can go to the owner and see what happens.