I get Pool backorders completed all the time.
It means that you only use pool?~
If it is something i really want i use multiple drop catchers. Most of the domains I pick up from Pool are keywords I monitor rather than "big" domains but it does work to some extent.
Pool wants competitive auctions of course. What I don't like is that they will take your order and publish the name on their front page so others don't miss it. Best to do your ordering there at the last moment me thinks.
Backordering in itself is free so yes it is a good idea to backorder at pool but snapnames perform much better at least for me. Enom club drop gets some good names from time to time. You will be lucky if you get anything at pool these days but sometimes it happens.
Godaddy is good for .us.
I prefer Snap, don't like Pool