FC Balloting Questions

[gimmick-game.livejournal.com]

Okay, this has come up once and I think it might be good to give a bit of information on the FC.

I am not a member myself (keep putting it off yet I don't know why...) but I do have friends who are.

When a concert is announced, FC balloting only applies to people who are Members by the time the ballots go out. Joining now would NOT allow you to ballot in this round.

Ballots have already gone out and the deadline in June 30th.

So while it would be fantastic to join the FC, I would not recommend doing so simply because you think you're going to get tickets.

Also, being a FC member does NOT automatically mean you're guaranteed tickets. I know people who've been members for years and have only hit once or twice. There are others who get multiple hits. It's a lottery and a lot is left up to chance.

If you are not a current FC member and still wish to get tickets, there are usually fans (and scalpers) selling them through Yahoo!Japan auctions. But, be prepared to pay a pretty penny for those.

If you have any other questions about the balloting, tickets, the concerts, going to Japan in general for the concert (to try and get tickets at some point there through scalpers), please go ahead and ask here. I will try to answer or find the answer.

I know tutorials have been posted before, so google is always your friend. :)

EDIT: It came up in the comments that to use Yahoo!Japan, you have to have a subscription to their service to bid over 5000yen, which .....is required for concert tickets because there won't be any under that. Rinkya is a fairly good bidding service for Yahoo!Japan, but they do charge a fee. Most sellers will not ship internationally, as well, so if you go on your own to register through Yahoo!Japan, be prepared to not be able to receive tickets.

There are ways to contact the hotel you are staying at if it's close enough to time and and you already have your reservations and have them receive your tickets. But that is a completely case by case thing. :)

Hopefully we can all discuss and figure out the best ways to get tickets this year. :)

karadin reminded me about I-TM4U. This is a great service for ALL Japanese auctions, goods, etc, not just tickets! Their fees are fairly low and the shipping is super reliable. Once the tickets are released, make sure you check it out!

Comments

[aishitsuzukeru.livejournal.com]

it actually seems like you can still apply for the FC and have a chance to hit for domes.

Usually, an Arashi FC membership takes 1 month to process... but You&J takes 2 weeks, so I heard from a friend that went to the Family Club that they told her she could still apply and get to ballot.

[gimmick-game.livejournal.com]

I've heard a lot of contradiction on this.

From what I've heard, the ballot is for all venues instead of staggered like it was last year. I don't think You&J can ballot on these, though.

[misaxarashi.livejournal.com]

So I'm dead set on going to Japan for the kokuritsu concert. I thought I'd wait till they announce the seats to buy my ticket but I don't really know how to use yahoo auction. I don't even know what Rinkya is. And what if I don't get a ticket, do you think I should still go? Are scalpers pretty legit?

[gimmick-game.livejournal.com]

Honestly...if your ONLY choice is Kokuritsu and you have never been to Japan before and are only planning on going a few days just for a concert you might not get into?...don't. The airfare is far too great and it's very easy to pay an arm and a leg in Japan for things you don't need to if you haven't been there before.

JE is pretty strict about tickets, so don't expect to find a WHOLE lot of scalpers hanging around like US concerts. JE has expressed before that they will do Member's card checks and not let people in if their name does not match the ticket, but as far as I've heard that's always just been a bluff.

I went to a w-inds. FC event when I went to Japan (though it was not my only reason for going, I did the touristy things as well), and there was a lot of talk about checking cards prior going on from their FC. Logistically, it really isn't feasible, so I don't see it as anything more than a bluff...for now.

If you want to go to see Japan as well, and make an actual trip out of it, by all means do so. But.... I honestly wouldn't waste the $1k+ on a plane ticket to just go for a few days and possibly not even see the concert. Again, that's just my opinion/suggestion. :)

[karadin.livejournal.com]

I get tickets for JE shows and Gackt with http://www.i-tm4u.biz/

They are familiar with purchasing tickets through Japanese auctions, they can send tickets to you or send them to wherever you are staying in Japan, and fees are minimal.

JE fanclub tickets are checked, but you can also request when you buy your tickets that the fanclub member you purchased them from write you a note that they have given tickets to you, that's been known to work, but of course not guaranteed.

Gackt shows with fanclub tickets however, you must have a membership card or you are booted out of the hall, not to mention the FC member who sold them is kicked out of the fanclub!

[gimmick-game.livejournal.com]

I agree that this site is fantastic. I would definitely recommend it! Thanks for reminding me!

[kimi-no-tsuki.livejournal.com]

JE fanclub tickets are checked, but you can also request when you buy your tickets that the fanclub member you purchased them from write you a note that they have given tickets to you, that's been known to work, but of course not guaranteed.

This was only applicable until last year. For the 5x10 tour this rule was done away with. However, I think it was really just to try and scare people out of scalping and/or buying scalped tickets. They say that they will/may check tickets, but they don't! It's entirely too impossible to check that many people's tickets. Though I guess it could be possible that they find you suspicious in some way and decide to check, but you'd have to have some really really bad luck. I have heard of people getting kicked out of butais, but never anyone getting kicked out of Kokuritsu or a Dome, they are too big. I went to Kokuritsu and Tokyo Dome last year and saw no one getting their tickets checked.

[daisuki-arashi.livejournal.com]

thank u so much for this info...

[youkojin.livejournal.com]

since you're inviting questions, do you mind if i have several? XD

First is, so fanclub members are the only ones who can get ticket at the orig price? Tickets are not released anywhere else? I got an HSJ ticket at Lawsons last month and even if it's a far shot I am still hoping I can do that for Arashi too.

Next is, don't fanclub members who win a ballot get more than 1 ticket? If so, then she can give it to another person who may not be a member of the fanclub. then how can member cards work in this instance?

thank you very much! XD

[zedstar.livejournal.com]

The Arashi tickets are NOT available through any other method other than fanclub. The way that they *say* the fanclub member ticket is- is that you'll be going in WITH that person, which is why they say that if you're not going together, it's good to get a note to say "this is my friend, and I have them the ticket in case we can't go in together"

BTW!!! If you ARE going to be meeting someone, and you DON'T get to meet before hand- YOU CAN go to the 'organisers desk' and leave the ticket for them there. You'd have to say something like "my friend is coming, but we haven't met yet and the concert is starting!! Can I leave it with you? This is their name..." so that you can do that- particularly useful if neither of you have phones.

[hontowa.livejournal.com]

To add to the answer someone else gave you -

In some cases, you can still get JE concert tickets through Lawsons. Especially if the group is less popular and the fanclub competition is intense. Even last year, I talked with some other girls who were in line to buy goods and they had bought some of their tickets through Lawsons (they got fanclub tickets for one show, and lawsons tickets for additional venues). I'm not sure how often this is offered or how many tickets would be available though.

Fanclub members can ballot for up to 4 tickets. If somehow they're insanely lucky enough to get 4, they often sell the extras or bring friends. Last year I didn't hit with my own membership, so I bought tickets from an auction from a member and actually met up with her at the concert. I was worried they would check the name on the ticket (and I am very clearly not Japanese), so she promised to walk in with me and explain - but they didn't even ask a single question. But it never hurts to be prepared with a note if the fanclub member is not with you :)

[zedstar.livejournal.com]

Just to let people know- I checked the Johnny's net site today- and according to them- so long as you apply (stamped and everything) ON OR BEFORE the 11th of June, then you will be able to ballot for tickets. ^_^

[swtlilazngrl21.livejournal.com]

OMG i was worrying so much if i'd be able to make it on time. THANK YOU FOR THIS INFO. XD

[bcosihavenolife.livejournal.com]

for the balloting, is it one ticket per ballot? im trying to look for people who are in the FC to ballot for me but i can't seem to find anyone who's in a FC!

[aishitsuzukeru.livejournal.com]

one FC member gets to ballot for up to 4 tickets.

[patziepiva.livejournal.com]

If anyone who wants to go and have friends in Japan, I think they should try http://www.ticket.co.jp (http://www.ticket.co.jp). It's selling website so you don't have to bid for it or anything. Price range can be from the original price to 6 or 7 digits depends on seat.

The down side of this website is you need to have credit card issuing in Japan, meaning you cannot use credit card issuing outside Japan to buy it. But if you have friends, you can ask them to pay for tickets at Payment Kiosk at Family Mart (within 30 minutes after you click purchase). Last year tour, my friends used this service and it's actually pretty safe.

This would be another choice for those who wanna go.

[hontowa.livejournal.com]

To add to the part about Yahoo Auctions - it's pretty hard to even register for an ID if you're not living in Japan. I registered when I was living there and used my Japanese address, so I'm not sure if a JP address is required or not, but a Japanese issued credit card definitely was when it came time to pay. The site wouldn't accept my American-issued Visa, I had to use my host family's and pay them the cash =/ So even if you got the seller to ship to your hotel, you probably couldn't pay in the first place.

[honooko.livejournal.com]

Crescent Shop (http://www.crescent-shop.com/) is also a great Y!J resource. I used them to get my tickets, and they are super helpful. Low fees, too.

[mischi-14.livejournal.com]

These are all very helpful! Thanks everyone. I'm kind of gaining a bit more confidence in getting tickets. :)

[asmasan.livejournal.com]

that was helpful thank you so much
but I have a qusetion plz :
I'm a FC member and want to know :
1- does joining the ballot require paying money first ? or just after you win you pay for the tickets you win ? and is it possible ( if I WAS LUCKY XD ) and win more that 1 ticket that they would be on different dates ? or it has be the same date ?

2- in I-TM4U can I buy the ticket for the date I want ? or it's random ?

sorry for asking too much XD

[mischi-14.livejournal.com]

I'm only partly answering your question, but from what I know, you have to pay for the tickets first. If you do not hit, they will give you your money back.

But correct me if I'm wrong! :)

[keeeerols.livejournal.com]

Ah questions? I have one O/

so I'm a FC member but I don't live in japan (I have family there so I use their address), this is the first time I have the chance to ballot for tickets but I have exactly NO IDEA how to do it and I don't have access to the things the FC sends my family(yeah I know I should see what they send but first it would take too long and second I don't wanna risk missing the deadline (I have to give my family the exact commands of what to do *they are a bit older and understand nothing about it so I do the intellectual work and the just execute there)so since I got all the information I needed to join the FC on the internet I thought that maybe someone could help me...I kinda needed a ballot-for-tickets-from-the-best-band-ever's-show for idiots xD
I know it's more a request than a question but I would really be happy if someone answered me or just tell me where I can find this kind of information

thanks already~ ^^

[aishitsuzukeru.livejournal.com]

you should access your FC member webpage and you should be able to download a PDF version of the instruction page.

The balloting should be dummy proof this year since you have to use the form they provide.

Use this guide (http://je-help.livejournal.com/2813.html)!

[dilarashi.livejournal.com]

I really want to go to one of their concerts but can't really understand japanese and don't think I can find any ticket =(

[fatimaa-xo.livejournal.com]

just so confused ant feeling neurotic atm, when does balloting actually start?

[kimi-no-tsuki.livejournal.com]

The ballot arrived in the mail for FC members today (at least for those of us living in the Kanto area, but Japan is pretty small, so I'd guess things usually arrive on the same day everywhere). The deadline is the 30th of this month. So, the balloting has already started. The results will be released for the different venues at different times and those dates have not yet been announced.

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

I heard from a few fanclub members that if you join the fanclub until June 11th, you'll still be on time for the ballotting?! :/

Oh, and I do have another question concerning the fanclub that nobody else seems to be concerned about.
Is it easy to quit again? Are there any cancellation fees if you leave the fanclub?

[tsukiori.livejournal.com]

You pay for a year's membership when you sign up. So if you don't want to be in the club anymore, you just don't pay the renewal fee when the year is up. No fuss, no muss!

[aggl.livejournal.com]

Hi minna,
First of all, thank you for posting this and for everyone who commented and replied. I am really learning a lot. :)

I also have a question about the balloting this year. as i recall, last year FC members can ballot for kokuritsu and 1 dome (1 concert date) but after reading the comments, it seems that this year, they changed the policies a bit. i would just like to ask about the 1st, 2nd and 3rd choice thing. is the 1st 2nd 3rd choice per venue or per date. for example, our first choice is kyocera dome oct 30, can the 2nd choice be kyocera dome oct 31 or should it be a different venue?

i have a friend who will ballot for me and we trying to aim for kyocera dome this year. hopefully we're lucky lucky enough to hit for tickets this year.

thank you again! :D

[chochajin.livejournal.com]

My Japanese coworker who's ballotting is doing different dates and different domes, as I think she understood what's possible and what not, it should be oky to have different dates and different domes :)

[asmasan.livejournal.com]

is it true results for some concerts already came out for Kokuritsu and tokyo dome ?! O_o

please tell me I'm suuuuper confused ToT