Technically a registrar can hold a .COM for up to 45 days after expiry before they would need to delete it and recover the renewal fee from Verisign. The policies vary greatly by registry.
Exactly, how does Epik handle expired domains?
Most registrars will publish an expired domains policy. You should look for that policy on your registrar's website. For example, here is the one for Epik:
https://www.epik.com/support/faq/expired-registration-recovery-policy/
I read the policy, and don't quite understand the specifics of at Epiks discretion.
Not asking for the definition of discretion.
the freedom to decide what should be done in a particular situation.
"it is up to local authorities to use their discretion in setting the charges"
synonyms: choice, option, judgment, preference, disposition, volition
Asking for the specifics as to exactly when every fee(s) will be charged, and if fee's vary in price based on lapsed duration -- using an expired .COM as an example?
Eg
X amount to renew at day 20
Vs
XX amount to renew at day 40
Vs
XXX amount to renew at day 69
I'm appreciative of the time you spend on nP, and am considering giving Epik a try.
Marketing, and buzz words aside, transparent pricing, to include how they handle the expiration process, is important to me when choosing a domain registrar.
When I hear at discretion, I think
(a) there's a policy designed against the average customer. But if you ask nicely, or propose it in such a way because of your account standing or loyalty, the registrar has the option to waive the initial policy designed against the average customer. Almost like banks charging high overdraft fees that say, well if you would have called, we would have waived the fee for you. (3 per year or whatever their policy was)... Only until you get a 4th overdraft, and their discretion means you pay their high fee. When you could have exercised discretion to choose a new bank for that year, until the overdraft grace reset. Rant over. Point being, discretion isn't very transparent.
(b) a registrar may be cherry picking expired domains. In that, charging higher recovery fees for valuable domains based off of discretionary data points.
(c) I don't know what the heck to think. A/B are uneducated assumptions based off limited to zero epik experience. Hence, the asking for a transparent answer.