New to drop catching. Are there any services to avoid?

There's a domain I'm interested in catching which has expired. There's a number of websites out there and I registered the name drop with a few of them already. I'm currently trying to setup a catch on pheenix.com but nothing on their site makes sense. I can't make a deposit even and can't tell them which domain I want until I do that. Makes me uneasy.

Anyway, I've used Namedrop.com, Snapnames.com, Dropcatch.com and DomainSecure.com so far. Is that enough? Are there any drop catching FAQ's around here which I should read?

 

I dont understand your question well but snapnames and dropcatch will be more than enough for pending delete (dropping) domains.

 

btw, are Snapnames and NameJet now redundant?

 

yes

 

Can someone briefly explain why Namejet is of no use ?

 

partnership with snapnames

 

Snapnames and namejet merged and its basically the same service. It just depends which platform do you prefer to use. With namejet, you have pay an additional transaction fee for purchases unless you have a prefunded account balance. Also, with namejet, backorders with 3 or more bidders are visible to the public. That being said, I like their platform more but I use snapnames because backorders are always private and I don't have to pay a payment/transaction fee. I don't think businesses should pass their "payment fees" to consumers. All businesses pay merchant fees.

 

Also prefer the Namejet layout even though its Oldskool. I didn't know they merged with Snapnames. That being said, I think the word redundant is not the best of words to describe it. Just there there are more choices available now.

With the payment transaction fees I think it will probably go in time the more competition opens up the dropcatch market.

 

I currently can't backorder the domain I'm looking for because it's not in the delete phase according to this dropcatch.com/HowItWorks/Backorders

My domain expired on 9/14/2018 and based on what I've read should have already been available. I've read a few articles that say it will enter pending delete phase 30 days after it expires. If that's not the case when will it enter the pending delete phase?

 

Epik has a dropcatch service that I have used and can recommend.

Below is a chart with delete cycle you may find helpful.

http://archive.icann.org/en/registrars/gtld-lifecycle.jpg

 

What is the user interface of Epik like if you hold a few domains ?

 

dropcatchh and snapnames takes near to 100% of the market for .com .net .org
all other competitors are far away...

 

I have hundreds registered with Epik and have names from other registrars there as well for management. There is no other interface that gives so many options...it can be overwhelming at first, but for a domainer and/or domain investor it is a superior tool.

 

Are all the auctions of drop-catched domains at Snapnames also available to Namejet auction?

Example :
Let's assume I had a backorder at Namejet but due to more backorders for that particular domain at Snapnames (or any actions), the domain gets auctioned at Snapnames. So will that domain be available for me to bid at Namejet?

 

yes