DirectNic sends out SEVERAL emails before AND after the domain expires. You let it expire. Period.
You could have moved it to GoDaddy before it expired, you had a full year to do so, but you didn't.
Having you renew the domain is the same way every registar works and had since others could sell domains besides Netsol.
Seriously, if you think $15 is too expensive for the excellent service DirectNic gives (and they have quantity discounts, BTW), then...well...you and GoDaddy deserve each other.
