Is there a register out there that is not being greedy & puting snaped names up for aution? Someone that just offers a snap 4 you w/o aution? There is a killer one word domain that will be expireing soon and i've been drooling over it for months, but if it goes to aution anywhere it will most likely cost me more $bling than i can afford right now.

Try contacting the domain owner and ask if you can buy it directly from him/her before it expires.

If so, it's a matter of him adding you on to his registrar account with full privileges and then you remove him/her from the account. Just be sure you have a written document validating the transaction.

Be aware if you are within 60 days of expiration, you will probably have to pay the renewal fee to the current registrar and will have to remain registered with them until 60 days after the renewal date. After that you can transfer the registration to whichever domain management company you want.

I've done this several times with no problems whatsoever.

I suppose that contacting would be the best way to go
In any case you will be able to understand how important that as there are might be other fellows looking for the same domain name who knows?