Problems renewing a domain name

[PrimeHost]

I unintentionally let a domain name expire. It expired October 15. When I tried to renew it, the registrar said it was not in their system anymore. The whois still shows me as the owner, so I cannot register it as new. Since I cannot use the registrar to renew it, I cannot do anything.

I created a help request for the registrar on November 20. That is much less than 60 days after expiration. I finally got a response from them today and they say it has been expired for more than 60 days. They also say that it is in a redemption status and will cost $160 to get out of redemption. I don't see that in the whois.

The registrar is a reseller of enom so I sent them a message but I have not heard from them.

Who is it that is (or will) charge $160 for the domain name? Will the registrar make money from it? What can I do to complain about them not allowing me to renew the domain name?

I want to do everything reasonable about this, so that they can't say I did not try.

Hello Sam, it is really unfortunate this has happened. I think there really isn't much you can do to get the domain back other than paying the $160 dollars. The other option would be to hope the domain drops and becomes available for you to register again. You take your chances.

I believe enom would get the $160 dollars since they are the registrar.

I always advise our clients to renew their domain well in advance to avoid this type of situation from happening. As for myself and my personal domains, I renew them in advance unless I really don't value the domain, then I'll wait to the last day.