I am curious what registrar that happend with.
I've forgotten the name, it's been so long. Maybe it was Joker, who's service definately fit their name. I hear they're gone now. And some other fly by night resellers/registrars. Good riddence.

$35/year is horrible.
It's only $35 per year if you pay for 1 year. It goes down fast if you pay for 3 years or more. And no, that's not good if your just buying a domain for throw away or for some butthole client.