Domain Names Expiry

[Andy]

When domain names expire are they really available for immediate re-purchase?

One of my old .co.uk names seemed to be still registered to me even though there was a new owner with a website. This was because I had a letter concerning it from the domain registrars (nominet) addessed to me.

[Allin1Joe]

Usually, the turnover is immediate.  One of my old domains was purchased by an adult dating service(it was up about 2 days after my domain expired).  From what I understand, adult sites like to backorder domains with high traffic hoping to catch some of the people that didn't know about the domain expiring. Too bad for them I only used sub-domains

[SensoVision]

I think it depends from registar, e.g. I've my domain expired with Joker.com after domain is experied they put it on so called Redemption Grace Period, so they didn't put domain on the market although you have no control over it(it's done to avoid loosing of name), during this period you may get back your domain although it would cost you around EUR 125.00 since I have no such money I have to wait and hope that noone register it before me, after grace period was finished(it takes around 1.5-2 months there are deleting period for 6 days although it lasts in my case aroun 11 days after this domain become available and I re-register it. You may read yourself this info in better details here:
https://joker.com/faq/index.php?num=4&f_id=1&s_id=15&q_id=138

[WandaCox]

According to ICANN,  all registrars are to offer a 30 day grace period for any domain which reaches expiry.  During this grace period,  only the original registrant can renew..  once this grace period ends,  apparently the cycle goes like this:

http://www.igoldrush.com/expired1.htm

Goodluck!

[12noon]

When your domain is about to expire you should get a renewal notice. Then at the expiration date, you will have 45 days before the delete command is sent. Then the domain is held by the registry in a 30 day redemption grace period (RGP).
The domain name will then be deleted and put on hold for 5 days. Once that 5 days is up. Anyone can then buy the domain name and use it as they see fit.
 

[THSNET]

Domain registration & Deletion cycle
http://www.snapnames.com/deleteprocess.html