I'm not an IT Pro or developer, but this seemed the most suitable forum to ask. Hope people don't mind.
Does anyone know what happens when a registrar cancels your new domain for non payment? If I understand the DNC T&C correctly, it just goes in to the 90 day pending release period as if you never renewed and you can then reinstate it either by paying the registrar or by transferring it to some other registrar and paying. There's no penalty or anything like that other than losing access to the domain until it's reinstated (and paying for this period even though you don't have access).
Thanks!