Wow is that a new implementation? So to my understanding, there are unregistered reserved domains? How can you reserve a domain without registering it? Thanks for replying.
There are reserved domains- yes, but what you are talking about are premium priced domains. Both types are under the control of the registry. The implementations are for the new TLDs. They were released with very little oversight by ICANN, giving great power to the registries to with as they wish. They can even take them back AFTER some has registered them, in many cases
months afterwards. Its actually a pathetic situation. A reason why so many new TLDs are flopping, and a huge risk to invest in for both domainers and endusers. The same thing also occurs with ccTLDs, believe it or not.
Usually, the registrars are not at fault here.
So when you see a domain you want, eg. Canadian.Club for sale at a registrar for thousands of dollars, it is the registry that has placed that premium price on it. Because they are allowed. Even though it is not registered by anyone. Unreal, right?
I have had names taken back months after that I registered under a regular price, and either put under reserve or repriced at a higher tier come renewal time. So have other people here on NP. It has really given a bad name to many, many new gTLDs. I don't play their game. Usually I will transfer all names out of the registrar which allowed business to be done with that sort of registry, as well as never renew a name that gets a price change.
These people wanted to relieve a monopolized market, and in the end all they are doing is making it the same or worse as it was before new gTLDs got released, which is a massive battle for dot-coms in an insanely saturated dot-com world.
My advice, don't buy a premium-priced new gTLD from a registrar unless you are an enduser, and can easily afford the yearly renewals with your income coming from said name based on a successful site. There is a limit to how many names ICANN allows a registry to price as premium, so with a sharp eye there almost always is a good name to find at regular price.
