What happens if your domain expires and you're in the 'redemption' period?

I do not want to pay $135 to get this domain back. Is it true that while it's in the redemption period, you have to pay $135 to get it back, then if you don't pay it, it goes back into the public? I want to wait, then just re-register it instead of paying that ridiculous fee.

Its your only guaranteed way of keeping the domain, its a manual process so the fees are high.

Heres your alternatives:

Back Ordering a domain is less than useless and a complete waste of your money. You are almost guaranteed never to receive the domain if it has any perceived value. PERIOD.

The way to go about obtaining possession of an expiring domain is to probably make a bid in the ensuing auction at the place where that registrar farms out their domains for auction. That way you also avoid all the drop-catch shenanegans.

Some of the popular registrar auction partners are:-

GoDaddy -> The Domain Name After Market (a GoDaddy company)

Network Solutions -> SnapNames

Directi -> Snapnames

It'sYourDomain -> Snapnames

Bulk Register -> Snapnames

Moniker -> Snapnames

DomainSite -> Snapnames

Dotster -> NameWinner

Enom -> ClubDrop

Just a note of clarification. When I refer to backordering, I'm referring to backordering at a registrar, not back ordering at a drop-catcher or expired domain auction house, who may also use the same terminology. Always order you expiring domain name from an expired domain name auction house partnered with the underlying registrar for that domain. It's you're best chance of acquiring your name.