Webmasters using overseas registrars are no strangers to the $0.99 promotions, but they often don’t support Chinese users — they may even block Chinese IPs and credit cards, and delete already-registered domains if they find a Chinese registrant. I was angry at first too: why can’t Chinese people enjoy such discounts? But thinking it through, there’s reason to it.
Whether Network Solutions or GoDaddy, when running such ultra-low-price promotions they don’t support Chinese IPs and credit cards from the start. They’re profit-driven companies; the ultra-cheap registration is to earn your renewal money later. But what’s the situation in China? Renewal rates are too low. No matter the registrar, a $0.99 campaign loses money. So they block Chinese users from the start.
Then there’s the false information. I don’t know what’s wrong with Chinese people, but they never want others to know their real information; the details filled in at registration are always fake or made up. Under both the registrar’s agreement and ICANN’s requirements, domains registered with false information are invalid and can be deleted at any time. Because of this bad habit, registrars face a lot of trouble, so they exclude Chinese people from ultra-low-price campaigns.
Then there’s the IP. Some netizens use a VPN or proxy to reach the registrar, but proxy servers are often shared by many people with all kinds of behavior, so most proxy IPs are already blocked and can’t join such campaigns. There’s no sign of domestic IPs being blocked yet — as long as you have a clean IP, it’s much better than going through a proxy.
Finally, a reminder: when registering domains overseas, always provide real information, or your domain may be deleted by the registrar at any time, and no one can help you then. Neither ICANN nor the registrar will refund or compensate — the domain registration agreement states that domains registered with false information are invalid. Also, when using overseas services, mind your conduct. You don’t represent only yourself; only when everyone’s conduct improves will Chinese people one day be able to join these cheap promotions legitimately.
Be cautious with low-price domains registered for you by someone on Taobao. Network Solutions domains registered through Taobao have seen mass deletions; sellers have gone offline one after another. Taobao sellers are also Chinese, filling in Americans’ details, and when the registrar finds out, it deletes the domain directly. Please register your domain through proper channels and hold it legally.