How to buy concert tickets through Fish Tank

A new way of ordering live tickets has been added for overseas Fish Tank members. If you are able to browse websites in Japanese and are able to pay with one of the accepted credit cards, you can order tickets online through the Pia website the same as Japan residents. Don't worry, the old pre-order method is still open for fans who cannot order through the Pia website.

* To order tickets online, you will need The 4-DIGIT CODE that comes printed on your Fish Tank envelope. Do not throw the envelope out or lose the code!

* The following credit cards are accepted: Pia, JCB, NICOS, MASTER, VISA, Diners, AEON, UFJ, and UC.
* Do not place the same order using both pre-order methods. In the event of a double order, the order made online will remain valid while the one made using the old method will be cancelled.
* If you do not get tickets, your credit card will be refunded.
* If you order tickets online, you will have to pick them up at the concert venue, the day of the concert itself. Please bring your Fish Tank member's card and your passport. The tickets are in your name only: no one else can pick them up for you.

OLD PRE-ORDER METHOD

The following instructions are for buying concert tickets through your Fish Tank magazine. Should you miss the deadline (or if you aren't a part of Fish Tank), you can always buy tickets when the general sale starts or even sometimes at the door of the concert venue the day of the concert itself. Most tour concerts don't sell out that quickly. You can check Buck-Tick's site to see whether a concert has been sold out.

When a tour or a concert approaches, you will receive along with your Fish Tank a printout titled along these lines: BUCK TICK TOUR チケット. That means it's time to buy tickets!

The method is the same for tours, fanclub only lives or special concerts like Day in Question. It doesn't matter whether it's a regular sale or a ticket lottery. Keep also in mind that you will not be able to choose your seats - they are always randomly assigned when you buy your tickets.

If you're buying tickets using the old method, then the following is important to remember: you have to pay attention to the sale dates which appear on your printout. The sale dates on the Pia website might differ by a day or two!

Now, buying tickets is pretty easy. It's pretty much the same as when you join Fish Tank. You have to email or fax Fish Tank with the ticket information and then send them a cash payment.

Look at the BUCK TICK TOUR チケット printout. Close to the top you'll find two dates printed in bold font. The first date is the day until which you have to send an email or fax to FT to request tickets. The second date, usually about two weeks after the first one, is the payment deadline.

Example:
2007 年 4月 8日 = 2007 April 08 (date to email or fax FT by)
2007 年 4月 20日 = 2007 April 20 (deadline for payment, FT have to receive the money by this day)

Here is what you do to buy tickets:

Step 1:

Email FT at bt@buck-tick.com or send a fax to the number indicated on the printout. You will need to send the following information.

1. Your Fish Tank number
2. Your full name
3. The DATE and LOCATION of the concert, the NUMBER OF TICKETS you want
4. Your email or fax number

Here's an example email. Don't be afraid to write in English if it's easier for you, FT will understand as long as you keep it simple!

Hi, I want to buy tickets.

1. 12345
2. w_b
3. June 21 (06-21), Yokosuka, 2 tickets
July 2, (07-02), NHK Hall, 2 tickets
4. w_b@nopperabou.net

Then either email or fax this information to Fish Tank. I personally suggest emailing them, it's much easier! If you send a fax, the format of the letter remains exactly the same except you can provide your fax number under #4 instead of your email. If you provide a fax number however, make sure FT will be able to reach you under it.

* Whether you write an email or a fax, it's a good idea to title it along the lines of "Tour Name Tickets". ("Day in Question tickets", for example.)
* You are allowed a limited amount of tickets per person for each concert. Check your FT magazine on the page where concert dates are listed. Beside each date and location you will find a small number, usually ranging from 1 to 4. That is the limit of tickets per person for that show.

Step 2:

Send your cash payment (in Japanese yen) to Fish Tank. They need to receive your payment by the deadline indicated on the printout.You can order yen at most banks or at an exchange office. However, keep in mind that some banks may take up to two or more weeks to order the yen for you. If you know your bank is slow and a tour is approaching, it might even be a good idea to order yen before you receive your Fish Tank.

Fish Tank
1-11-12-302 Sendagaya
Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
151-0051 JAPAN

I suggest of course sending a copy of your letter along with the payment.

* Send the payment in the safest way possible: registered mail, EMS... Ask your local post office what secure methods they offer. In addition, I recommend using a bigger, opaque envelope for added security.
* Calculate the price carefully. The ticket prices as well as the handling charge are written on the printout. Note that you only add 1 handling charge per CONCERT LOCATION, even if you are buying multiple tickets for the same concert.
* You will be notified whether you got the tickets about a week to two weeks after the payment dealine.
* Once the payment goes through you cannot cancel your order.
* If you overpay and send Fish Tank more than the tickets will cost, the difference will be given back to you when you pick up your tickets. If for any reason you do not get the tickets, Fish Tank will refund your money as well.
* The tickets will not be sent to your home. You will have to pick them up at the concert venue, the day of the concert. Just ask the FT staff there for help - they're very sweet people.

* Do NOT forget to bring your PASSPORT and FISH TANK MEMBER'S CARD when you pick up your tickets. They are ESSENTIAL and will be demanded as proof of your identity. The tickets are in your name and will only be handed to you. NO OTHER PERSON CAN PICK THEM UP.